Governor Vetoes Property Tax Bill
Property tax relief is a high priority of the public and after several efforts by the legislature to craft a property tax bill that could pass both houses, HB292 was presented late in the legislative session. It passed the House 63-7 and the Senate 32-3. Governor Little vetoed that bill on Monday.
The Governor’s press statement cited the elimination of the March election and the negative impact the bill would have on other areas.
While there is enough support to override the veto, a driver’s education bill was recently vetoed by the Governor and that appeared to change the minds of many of its prior supporters. That effort would start back with the House but already another bill (HB198) has been revised and passed the Senate late yesterday. The House will now determine to pursue HB198 or to override the veto.
US Senators/Representatives Activities
Much attention has been on the state legislative session, but Idaho’s US congressional delegation has been busy as well. Here are the top priorities each has been tweeting in the past few weeks…
Sen Crapo: Budget/Spending; Foreign Purchase of Farmlands; Agricultural Trade Policy; Bank Bailouts; Fentanyl/Border
Sen Risch: College Debt Forgiveness; Abortion Traffickers; Waterways; Small Business SBDC Cuts; Domestic Energy; Fentanyl/Border
Rep Fulcher: Parents Bill of Rights; Waterways; Banning of TikTok; Budget/Spending; Trump/NY DA; Bank Bailouts
Rep Simpson: Promoting Idaho National Labs advanced reactor technology; Fentanyl/Border; Budget/Spending
Firing Squad Option Reinstated
The law was signed last Friday that would enable a firing squad as an option for capital punishment cases. Because medicines used for lethal injection have become difficult to obtain, it can cause delays in sentencing. The firing squad would now be an option in those cases. The law becomes effective on July 1st and after a facility is refurbished for the purpose.
Idaho #4 Most Affordable for Retirement
Idaho, as well as several other mountain states, fared well in the study. While average retiree income was low for Idaho, the cost of living is much lower than average as well.
One in four Americans has no retirement savings.
Democrat Debrief
Topics addressed with this debrief:
Opposed firearm display bill (SB1173)
Supported Launch Bill which provides money to high school graduates, and a related trailer which must still pass the House.
This veto of the Property Tax Bill may be the governor's way to force a spending election in March. The veto is short-sighted, and it's not what voters want. Ask your legislators to please have the strength of character to override the governor's veto.
Write to them at https://emailidaho.com/email-both-the-house-the-senate/