HOUSING: South Carolina sets example

Does Idaho actually want to  fix the $182k housing cost disparity between what people can afford and what homes are selling for? I too applaud the housing solutions partnership efforts in the Cd’A Press Sunday. But they’re only nibbling around the edges. 

Why not do what another red state did? South Carolina triple taxes on non-owner-occupied homes. (Montana recently did something similar but blinked on long term rentals. Carolina didn’t.) 

And guess what? The median price home in Richland County South Carolina (the most populated county) is less than half what the median price home in Kootenai (or Ada) County is. 

Evidently the Carolina approach worked. And unlike your cheaper western neighbor, Spokane County, South Carolina enforces the law, which is a huge reason Idaho is so much popular. It’s up to you Idaho.

Who wouldn’t want to stick it to those out-of-state lakefront owners?

MIKE RENO

Newman Lake