House Speaker Mike Moyle Tuesday introduced the last leg in a tripod of tax relief bills, sponsored by Republican House leaders and altogether totaling more than $400 million. 

Moyle, R-Star, last week introduced an income tax cut, and House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Meridian, proposed sales tax relief Monday by increasing the state’s grocery tax credit. 

On Tuesday, Moyle introduced a property tax relief proposal, which would send an additional $50 million annually to a fund that helps public school districts pay down bonds and levies. Another $50 million in one-time money would go toward a homeowner property tax relief fund. The Legislature in 2023 created the two funds through House Bill 292.

“There’s more to do in property tax relief, but this is a start to get there,” Moyle told the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, which voted to introduce the bill. “If I had my way, we’d get rid of (property taxes) all the way. I don’t know how to crack that nut.”

The $50 million in one-time homeowner tax relief would come from what’s leftover in the now-defunct bond levy equalization fund. HB 292 halted bond levy equalization, which previously gave qualifying (typically economically disadvantaged) school districts money to offset levies and bonds.

The three tax relief bills are now awaiting public committee hearings. House Bill 40 would cut the corporate and individual income tax rate from 5.695% to 5.3%. House Bill 61 would increase the state’s grocery tax credit from $120 to $155 for most filers. 

Here’s how much each tax relief proposal is estimated to cost the state in revenue: 

• Income tax cut — $253 million ongoing.
• Sales tax relief — $50 million ongoing.
• Property tax relief — $50 million ongoing, $50 million one-time.

Lawmakers accuse Boise State of skirting DEI restrictions

Two Republican lawmakers accused Boise State University of keeping a DEI program in place, in spite of a statewide crackdown.

The tense House Education Committee exchange centered on Boise State’s sociology program.

Reps. Dale Hawkins of Fernwood and Kyle Harris of Lewiston cited a page on Boise State’s website, which outlines a sociology certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion. And Hawkins also called out one of Boise State President Marlene Tromp’s pet initiatives: the Institute for Advancing American Values, a think tank with a mission of “(furthering) respectful engagement and critical thinking in public education and public life.”

Said Hawkins, “It sounds like a continuation of DEI under different labels.”

Tromp said Boise State has tried to respond thoughtfully to a new State Board of Education directive, requiring universities to close any student centers that are aligned with a DEI mission. Boise State has closed centers that fell under the State Board’s heading, in favor of a holistic center geared toward all students. “We’ve absolutely not moved something under another name.”

But under questioning from Harris, Tromp said she wasn’t sure if the sociology certificate complied with the State Board guidelines. “I’ll have to look into that.”

As the questioning continued, Rep. Chris Mathias became visibly irritated. He noted that no Idaho student is required to enroll in college, or Boise State and its sociology program, or pursue a DEI certificate.

“But some of them might, if they want to have that competitive advantage in the labor market,” said Mathias, D-Boise.

House Education heard presentations from Idaho’s other three college and university presidents — C. Scott Green of the University of Idaho, Robert Wagner of Idaho State University and Cynthia Pemberton of Lewis-Clark State College. But only Tromp fielded questions on DEI.

The presidents are making the rounds at the Statehouse this week. Tromp and Wagner are slated to appear before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning. All four presidents are scheduled to speak to the Senate Education Committee Wednesday afternoon.

Classroom flag restrictions head to Senate

House Republicans Tuesday approved a prohibition on displaying most flags in public school classrooms. 

A followup to a Senate bill that had bipartisan support but failed in the House Education Committee last year, House Bill 41 would bar teachers from displaying flags that are political, religious or ideological, said the sponsor, Rep. Ted Hill. 

“They’re divisive, they’re distracting and they’re not helpful,” said Hill, R-Eagle, during Tuesday’s House debate, before the bill passed nearly along party lines. 

Just two Republicans joined nine Democrats in opposition. Rep. Lori McCann said her father was a history and government teacher with a collection of World War II memorabilia. Displaying this material, such as a Nazi flag, during a history lesson would be disallowed under the bill. 

“That bothers me, because we are always encouraging our teachers to bring history to life, make our kids understand,” McCann said. 

Teachers could display the U.S. and Idaho flags in classrooms, along with a lengthy list of other exceptions, including official flags representing Native American tribes, colleges and universities and foreign nations that aren’t engaged in “hostile action” against the United States.

Rep. Monica Church, D-Boise, said the exceptions would create a “new bureaucratic and expensive hurdle” for the Idaho Department of Education, which would have the authority to authorize banners that can be displayed. 

At least one school district — West Ada — already has a locally crafted policy governing flags, and anyone with concerns about how their local districts are handling flags should go to the school board, Church said. 

The sponsor of last year’s bill, former Sen. Chris Trakel, a Republican from Caldwell, said the proposal specifically would bar LGBTQ+ pride flags. Rep. Heather Scott appeared to reference these flags when debating in favor of the new bill Tuesday. 

“What we’ve seen with schools flying sex flags … this will take care of it,” said Scott, R-Blanchard.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

New bill would create $50 million rural school facilities fund

A bipartisan bill to set aside more than $50 million for rural school facilities cleared its first hurdle Tuesday.

The sponsors say the grant program would fill in the gaps for districts that are still struggling with construction costs — even after the 2024 Legislature created a landmark $1.5 billion school facilities program.

Presenting the bill, Rigby Republican Rep. Rod Furniss brought up a perennial poster child in the facilities debate: Salmon. After a dozen failed bond issues, the Central Idaho district was left with an aging school “imploding on itself.” Voters finally approved a $20 million bond issue in May — but bond proceeds and Salmon’s share from the school facilities program still leaves a $3 million shortfall, Furniss said.

Money for the grant program would come from two sources.

The first $25 million would come from an all-but-dormant fund, created in the wake of a 2005 Idaho Supreme Court ruling that ordered the state to address school facilities needs. Only one district — Plummer-Worley — has ever used the fund. Districts have balked at the grant and loan fund, partly because it requires local schools to relinquish building decisions to the state, said Boise Democrat Soñia Galaviz, the bill’s co-sponsor.

The bill would funnel off $28 million from another state education fund, created to offset districts’ costs of moving employees onto the state health insurance plan.

House Education Committee members raised a variety of questions — about the need for a new fund, but also about whether the $50 million would make a dent in the problem. In the end, the committee voted unanimously to print the bill, setting the stage for a full hearing at a later date.

Charter school commission appointment advances

Without discussion, the Senate Education Committee Tuesday advanced Sherrilynn Bair’s reappointment to the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.

Bair is seeking a third four-year term on the commission. She was first appointed in 2016.

The appointment now heads to the full Senate.