HOUSE: Vote for Sims, Schindelbeck

I read in the Press about the recent Legislative Forum, and one issue in particular caught my attention. As a military veteran myself, I found Luke Malek’s derogatory response to Representative Sims not only offensive, but it showcased his lack of knowledge on fiscal reality. HB420 would have simply made military retirement pay exempt from Idaho state income tax. If a retiring veteran brings home to Idaho his retirement check of $24,000 and we exempt that from our state income tax, the tax impact to the state is only about $700. If every time we invest $700 we secure $24,000 to be spent in our state, that is a very sound financial investment. Both the Navy Times and USAA constantly print articles on the “best place for veterans to retire in the US.” State income tax is a top item when weighing places and influencing retiring Vets, like me.

In addition, these trained and disciplined folks should be welcomed to Idaho, not derided as Luke Malek has done. Retired veterans have sacrificed so much, over 20 years to earn retirement, for our freedom. Mr. Malek should be ashamed of his comments about how this bill would “shift the tax burden” to him by raising his taxes. That is just not true, and he should know better.

I strongly recommend you vote for Toby Schindelbeck and Kathy Sims for Idaho House District 4, because I know that they appreciate our military veterans, and appreciate the sacrifice veterans have made for our freedoms.

JOHN MACKEY

Hayden