House debates $36M tax cut for top earners

BOISE (AP) — House Republicans are getting set to approve Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed $35.7 million tax cut for Idaho individuals and businesses.

The chamber began debating the measure Thursday morning, and is due to continue after lunch.

But with 40 of 70 representatives as co-sponsors, its passage appears assured.

Otter made this a priority in his Jan. 12 State of the State speech, favoring directing at least a portion of state revenue that's recovered following the 2008 recession to tax relief, not education or reversing cuts to Medicaid, prisons or other programs.

Republican House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star, argued for giving the money back to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dennis Lake of Blackfoot, one of the measure's few Republican foes, countered foregoing revenue from 2013 onward jeopardizes Idaho's reserve accounts.