A southwestern Idaho lawmaker has introduced a bill that would rid the state of property taxes, but nearly double the state’s sales tax to cover the lost revenue. The measure by House Assistant Majority Leader and Republican Representative Jason Monks of Nampa would repeal property taxes while raising the state’s 6 percent sales tax to 11.3 % a move Monks referred to as “parity across the board.” Monks concedes the measure has little chance of passing as it proposes to significantly alter the state’s entire tax system. The bill seems to help those with significant property holdings, while negatively impacting all Idahoans at the checkout stand. Monks’ proposal includes a constitutional amendment to be voted on by Idahoans prohibiting property taxes from ever being collected. The Idaho Legislature this session has targeted property taxes, with stories of people being priced out of their homes due to high rates. An interim legislative committee held meetings to come up with some possible solutions that would be introduced this year. (KTVB)
