House passes $200M tax cut plan after exchanging fireworks

Idaho House lawmakers spent several hours exchanging insults, accusations and heated remarks before ultimately advancing a sweeping $200 million tax cut plan.

In total, the proposal passed on a party-line vote on Wednesday with only the House’s 11 Democrats voted against the bill.

However, the lengthy debate involved multiple efforts by Republicans and Democrats to circumvent legislative leadership and kill the proposal by using legislative rules and procedures. All of those attempts failed to gain enough support.

If approved, the plan would reduce personal income and corporate tax rates and create a $130 Idaho child tax credit. The bill is designed to offset the increase in taxes Idaho families are expected to pay under the recently signed Republican tax plan signed by President Donald Trump.

HB 463 must now clear the Senate.