TAXES: All pay fair share

I applaud Rep. Jason Monks (R-Nampa) for introducing House Bill 399 into the 2020 Idaho Legislative Assembly. House Bill 399 would eliminate property taxes in Idaho. The only fair tax is one paid equally by ALL. The property tax as currently administered in Idaho is unfair.

I would suggest the following adjustments/amendments to Rep. Monks proposal.

A) Commercial property listings would continue to be taxed at current rates. All other classifications would be exempt.

B) NO EXCEPTIONS! Just trying to be fair here. Churches, nonprofits, et al, that own commercial property would be taxed accordingly. This includes hospitals and clinics.

Mr. Monks suggests that his proposal would be funded by an onerous 11.3 percent sales tax. I would hope that with the continuation of commercial property tax (A), adoption of NO EXEMPTIONS (B), that government in Idaho could be funded with a sales tax in the 8 percent range. This would not be exorbitant as currently these states have sales taxes in excess of 9 percent -+; Washington, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee. Additionally, these states have sales taxes in excess 8 percent +-; California, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and New York.

The proposition that renters subsidize property tax in their rent is bogus. All know that rent is a reflection of supply and demand, not the yearly whim of the County Assessor. If the landlord finds someone willing to pay more, he’ll charge more. Economics 101.

It’s time to be FAIR and get the tax monkey off the back of the residential, agricultural and forestry tax victims.

EDWARD SCHNEIDER

Worley