09/01/06 Gov Risch inks tax bill

Governor Jim Risch brought some state legislators and the news media to his office yesterday. More than two thirds of the Representatives and Senators voted last week for the Risch plan that cut property taxes by taking 260 million dollars from school maintenance and operations while raising the sales tax a penny effective October 1st. RISCH "And it reduces property taxes that people will pay in Idaho on December 20th by about 20 percent statewide. This is a permanent reduction in property taxes." The bill also puts 100 million dollars of the 200 million dollar tax surplus into a rainy day fund for public schools. Risch says the legislature will probably have to take a look at one issue that is getting more attention all the time; sales tax on food. RISCH "I think the issue has reached critical mass." The legislation Risch signed also require an advisory vote in November where Idahoans will decide if they want to keep the changes in property taxes and the higher sales tax. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott