Eskridge explains reasons for his vote on HB 245A

On Friday, March 9, 2007, the Idaho House passed HB 245A, which eliminates the personal property tax on business equipment over the next eight years.

As a Republican legislator who normally supports business, I have been asked to explain my vote against HB 245A.

I voted against this bill because the tax should have been funded in another matter rather than shifting $10 million dollars in taxes on to tax paying property owners and homeowners.

The bill diminishes the homeowners exemption that the Legislature increased last year to keep pace with rising homeowner property taxes. Current percentages paid by tax payers are as follows:

All residential — 64 percent.

Commercial — 28.1 percent.

Agricultural — 3.5 percent.

Timber — 0.6 percent.

Mining — 0.3 percent.

Operating (utilities) — 3.5 percent.

All property — 100 percent.

In our district alone, we have seen extreme increases in property taxes paid by homeowners.

HB 245A increases to some degree the initial tax burden now met by residual property owners.

The reason for my vote is simple. This bill takes away what the Legislature had previously given in tax relief last year.

REP. GEORGE ESKRIDGE

Dover