BUSINESS: Pay your fair share

BUSINESS: Pay your fair share

All this talk of repealing the business property tax makes me angry. I spoke with an Idaho business owner who said the tax on business equipment isn’t such a big deal. Small businesses aren’t driving this repeal. It’s the big guys who don’t want to have to pay taxes on things like power lines and railroad tracks and generators.

So instead, our county and city revenues will take the hit, meaning we citizens in those taxing districts will see our services diminish and our real estate taxes go up. Get the picture?

I’m especially irate about the sheer waste of time. The 2008 Legislature passed a perfectly reasonable solution that exempts $100k of business property—HB599aa—which was set to go into effect when the state’s general funds increased by 3% over the 2008 level. They don’t need to re-invent the wheel, just waive that contingency and activate the 2008 bill now. It would give relief to 90% of Idaho businesses while reducing revenues by only $20 million instead of $140 million with a total repeal. Big business needs to be accountable and responsible to Idaho citizens and pay their fair share.

NADINE YORK

Boise