The group behind last year’s successful Medicaid expansion initiative in Idaho can now start collecting signatures for its new measure to boost funding for public education.
Reclaim Idaho’s latest citizen ballot initiative was certified by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office Friday, allowing the grass-roots organization to begin securing at least 55,000 valid signatures statewide – or 6-percent of registered voters – and 6-percent of registered voters in 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts.
The “Invest in Idaho” initiative would raise income tax rates on corporations and the wealthy by three percentage points to generate $170 million for public schools, reducing the need for local supplemental property tax levies. The proposal would restore the corporate income tax rate to 8 percent, its level from 1987 to 2000, and increase tax rates for individuals who make more than $250,000 and married couples who make more than $500,000.
The group said the changes would impact fewer than 5 percent of Idahoans.
The initiative’s approach is the exact opposite of what Idaho lawmakers have been doing in recent years – gradually lowering both the individual and corporate income tax rates, and reasoning that the moves provide tax relief and make Idaho more competitive.
All signatures must be turned in by next May to qualify the measure for the November 2020 election. (Reclaim Idaho)
