Make voice heard to counter political gamesmanship

Mike Moyle is taking HB40 to the house floor. He’s advertised that it will put more money back into our pockets. It’s projected to give household making $110,000 per year less than $70.

Those income taxes support health care, public education, and roads. Would you rather have an extra $5.83 cents in your pocket or have the state have an additional $400 million to spend on services. Idaho is growing and our infrastructure is aging. The transportation department estimates that it will need $8 billion over the next decade. Where will that come from?

The focus on deficits is political gamesmanship. If they pass this tax cut, that $400 million will be documented as a cost in the budget. That’s right. When our legislature gives back tax money, it is reported as a cost, but we get no services for that money.

And, while you are getting your extra $8.50 per month, Stefan Gleason, one of the out-of-state funders for the Idaho Freedom gangs, will be raking in millions through a new precious metals clause embedded in Moyle’s bill.

Meanwhile, multiple bills (most written by out of state lobbyists) propose cutting health care programs, diverting money to for-profit schools. They continue to underfund infrastructure. Local governments (property tax) will have to pick up the slack. Most of these will also result in costly lawsuits that we will fund. Call your legislators. Testify. Make your voice heard.

KATHRYN LARSON

Sandpoint