INITIATIVE: Aims at wrong targets

Reclaim Idaho wants to put on the ballot an initiative that would bring in $170 million for K-12 education by raising Idaho’s corporate tax rate and increasing taxes on individuals making $250,000 a year or higher. Filing for an extension is a reasonable request given the circumstances.

However, I don’t believe that our corporations and taxpayers should be funding this education project. Idaho’s constitution states, “It shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, FREE, common schools.” It is not the duty of the taxpayer to fund schools. This responsibility falls on our elected legislators. We all know that Idaho schools are under-funded and have been for many years. Can Gov. Little shed some light on this subject?

Many improvements can be made to help fund our schools. A Coeur d’Alene Press article of Feb. 1, 2019, by Monte Hilman makes a valid point when saying that limiting Idaho’s public school districts to one per county could save millions of dollars for Idaho taxpayers and more money to teachers. Has this even been considered? Maybe Gov. Little could shed some light on this subject.

PEW reports there are 35,000 illegal immigrants in Idaho, 5.7% which consist of K-12 students. Idaho spends approximately $188 million annually on illegal immigration at taxpayer expense. Can Gov. Little explain why Idaho is condoning illegal immigration when this money could be used for K-12 education?

Why are Kootenai County residents being taxed out of their homes? This responsibility should fall on new construction/ownership. Or maybe a bed tax since we are in the hospitality business?

JOANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene