TAXES: Idaho’s painful imbalance

No one enjoys paying taxes, but when the tax system is fair and balanced we can at least not get too angry. But what about when residential property owners pay more than commercial property owners? What about when a person who earns $20,000 pays 9.2% of their income in combined taxes, but those who earn more than $410,000 pay just 7.2%.

Well that’s just not fair or balanced. The Idaho Legislature just passed two bills that actually make this situation worse.

HB 380 reduced taxes for corporations and allows for the same tax rate to be used for those making $17,000 per year as those making $1 million per year. Shouldn’t those who can afford it the most and who have benefited the most from the common good pay at least a LITTLE more than those who struggle just to get by?

Among other things, HB 389 kicks 4,000 elderly off the property tax reduction program just because their home increased in value.

When the Democrats introduced the Idaho Working Families Agenda, the Republicans would not even allow the bill a hearing.

We missed out on increased child tax credits, increased homeowner’s exemption pegged to local housing costs, twice the property tax assistance for the elderly and state funded full-day kindergarten, all by using a small portion of the surplus.

If this makes you angry, find representatives who will reduce taxes for us and not for corporations, the wealthy and the well-connected.

LEE CHRISTENSEN

Sandpoint