Group opposes EITC becoming a community college
The Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls will be on the May ballot for people to vote, if they think it should be turned into a community college.
A group called Idahope is working to defeat the ballot measure.
The group said its goal is to lower taxes and defend personal liberty and rights.
Group member, Larry Lyon said he wants to educate the public on what it means if the taxing district is created.
He claims if the tax is added, it is going to be never-ending.
Lyon added the future is in online and distance learning and says adding taxes to the community is just not needed.
“It’s not needed. It’s not wanted because people don’t want to pay a whole bunch of new taxes and not get the value that they deserve for that money and this community college does not provide that value. The other thing is that I think it’s just an unsustainable model,” Idahope group member Lyon said.
Lyon said putting taxes on EITC might decrease funding for surrounding universities lik Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho.
More information on the campaign can be found here.
We also spoke to long-time EITC supporter, Mario Hernandez who is also the chairman of Citizens for Affordable Education.
He explained business owners are going to bare a big part of the burden when it comes to taxes for EITC, however, it will also see a big part of the benefit.
Hernandez added that Idaho Falls is really late in making EITC into a community college.
“Our labor force is not keeping up with the growth that Idaho Falls is providing and it’s hindering the continued growth of business, which affects the people purchasing homes and other goods,” Hernandez said.
He said the decision should not be made based on the taxes we would all have to pay.
The president of EITC, Rick Aman, also responded to IDAHOPE’s opposition. For the full response, click here.
