Vick's anti-tax amendment put on back burner

| March 9, 2012 5:42 AM

BOISE, AP) — A constitutional amendment that would make it even tougher for Idaho lawmakers to raise taxes has stalled.

Dalton Gardens Sen. Steve Vick's measure would require two-thirds of legislators to approve any bill that increases net revenue by way of taxes or fees.

The House State Affairs Committee elected to put it on ice for now.

Vick says the measure would force lawmakers to work harder and present a more compelling case to take money from taxpayers.

He notes that 16 other states have taken similar steps.

Committee members felt the language was too broad.

For instance, lawmakers, including Rep. Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls, feared the bill could have unintended consequences like complicating votes on future measures that didn't explicitly raise taxes but had the effect of boosting state revenue.