TAXES: Get a load of this

Like many North Idaho residents I live in Idaho, but I work in Washington. My Washington employer is unable to deduct Idaho state income taxes directly from my paycheck, which means once a year I get to write a very large check to the state of Idaho. Believe me, this stings a lot worse than the death by a thousand cuts of regular payroll deductions.

With tax season looming, I can’t help but wonder exactly what it is I will get in return from the state of Idaho for my check this year. To answer this question, I turned to the current session of the Idaho Legislature, examining some of the larger appropriations.

One that jumped off the page was H0255, a $1.96M appropriation to Lava Hot Springs Resort in Southern Idaho. While this looks like a fun place to hang out, I have difficulty understanding why the taxpayers of Idaho are subsidizing the operation of a water park to the tune of nearly $2 million.

http://www.lavahotsprings.com/

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2015/H0225Bookmark.htm

I would very much like to hear from my local legislators regarding their views on the state’s financial support of Lava Hot Springs. Unfortunately, none of them have responded to my inquiries. At the very least I would appreciate a couple of free passes.

TODD HOFFMAN

Coeur d’Alene