2012 Idaho Legislature Preview: A Look At The Issues
The state legislature in Boise is back in session Jan. 9, and that means a whole new year of laws and issues on the table.
Those following the state Legislature could experience deja vu.
“Some of the things that carried over from last year will be tried again this year,” said Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg.
“The guns on campus issue, it was defeated last year during the legislative session, there will be some tweaks and changes to that,” said Hill.
Then, it will be back on the floor.
Currently, Idaho universities are allowed by law to let students carry weapons on campus, but all have their own bans in place.
“The bill would actually force campuses to allow guns,” said Hill.
A nationwide push for anti-tobacco legislation is also hitting the Idaho home front. The average tax per pack of cigarettes nationwide is $1.46. Idaho’s rate is 57 cents. A new bill could hike that rate by $1.25.
“Not as a revenue raiser particularly, but as a deterrent particularly for young people to pick up the habit of smoking,” said Hill.
Taxing a habit like smoking can raise eyebrows.
“Are we trying to force social norms on people through the tax system?” said Hill. “Some people are okay with that and some people are very opposed to it.”
Speaking of taxes, there is talk of a decrease in some areas. But cuts won’t come without sacrifice.
“Idaho historically has had slightly higher rates for income taxes than some of our surrounding states, but we have a lot of incentives built in,” he said.
Some of those incentives could get the ax.
Examples of incentives on the chopping block could include the investment tax credit, which saves businesses 3 percent on equipment purchases, or the grocery tax credit. It’s a $100 rebate per person per household on groceries.
Hill said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna’s education reforms will likely also be a hot-button issue in 2012.
There is also potential for new sales taxes at the individual city level.
