Want some input property tax relief? Talk to your legislators
It's official — legislators are heading back to work.
On the agenda? Just one thing — property tax relief.
Gov. Jim Risch's plan would:
? Eliminate $260 million that property taxpayers now pay for school maintenance and operations
? Raise $210 million by raising the sales tax to six cents per dollar, up from five cents per dollar, beginning in October.
? Use $50 million from Idaho's budget surplus, reducing property taxes by the same amount.
? Put half of the state's $203 million surplus into an education rainy day fund if the state's economy cools.
? Plan an advisory vote in November to see if the state's voters agree with the plan.
Risch is confident the plan will pass in the one-day session on Aug. 25, and hopes the state's residents will spend the next few weeks talking to their legislators and letting them know how they feel.
Property taxes and values have been big news in Bonner County and this is our chance to help shape the state's policy. If you want to get your two cents worth in, here's the folks (and where to contact them) who'll be voting on the governor's plan:
Senate
District 1: Shawn Keough (R)
Home: P.O. Box 101
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
Sandpoint: 263-1839 or toll free at 1-888-453-6844
Boise: 1-800-626-0471
E-mail: skeough@senate.state.id.us
Toll Free for Bonner & Boundary counties 1-888-453-6844
District 2: Joyce Broadsword (R)
Home: PO Box 76, Cocolalla, 83813
Home (208) 263-7735
Work (208) 263-3250
Fax (208) 255-7714
House A
District 1: Eric Anderson (R)
Home: 28544 Highway 57
Priest Lake 83856
Phone: (208) 265-6316
E-mail: eanderso@house.idaho.gov
District 2: Mary Lou Shepherd (D)
273 Crescent Dr.,
Wallace, Idaho 83873
Home: 682-4771
Fax: 682-2319
E-mail:mshepher@house.state.id.us
House B
District 1: George Eskridge (R)
Home: P.O. Box 112
Dover, Idaho 83825
Phone: 265-0123
State Capitol Bldg. Rm. 309
Boise: P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho, 83720-0038
1 (800) 626-0471
E-mail: geskridg@house.state.id.us
District 2: R.J. "Dick" Harwood (R)
81527 Highway 3 S.
St. Maries, Idaho 83861
Home: 245-4446
Fax: 245-4446
E-mail:dharwood@house.state.id.us
Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.