House Republicans Vote to Tie Idaho Tax Policy to Washington, D.C., Putting Schools and Medicaid on the Chopping Block

In response to House Republicans passing an untargeted federal tax conformity bill, Idaho House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel released the following statement:

 “Republicans just voted to deepen Idaho’s budget crisis by passing another large, untargeted revenue cut driven by Washington, D.C. tax changes. Idahoans packed the hearing and overwhelmingly opposed the bill, but Republicans forced it through on a party-line vote, even as state agencies are already being told to plan for painful cuts to cover the cost. That decision puts hundreds of millions of dollars at risk when the budget is already under strain. Dollar for dollar, paying for this tax conformity bill means less funding for special education, fewer public safety resources, delayed road and bridge repairs, cuts to Medicaid services, reduced nursing care for people with disabilities, cuts to water and sewer projects, and other essential services. Idaho Democrats support a responsible path that targets tax relief to working people and protects funding for schools, public safety, transportation, and health care, not more giveaways that force painful cuts here at home.”

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