The presidents of every public college and university in Idaho have signed a letter to the state’s congressional delegation expressing strong opposition to several major provisions of the pending federal tax bill.
In the letter dated December 7th, the eight presidents – including Lewis-Clark State College’s Tony Fernandez and University of Idaho’s Chuck Staben – say the legislation would have damaging consequences for Idaho’s institutions of higher education and the students they serve. The items identified include the elimination of the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits; the taxing of tuition waivers; limits on higher ed bonding options; changes to the unrelated business income tax requirements; and increasing the Standard Deduction.
Idaho state Board of Education executive director Matt Freeman also signed the letter to Representatives Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, and Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, all of whom supported their chambers’ respective bills overhauling U.S. tax code and revising a number of exemptions or incentives.
House and Senate leaders are now hammering out the details between their respective bills in hopes of getting a final package to President Donald Trump by Christmas. (Idaho Statesman)
