NorthwestFebruary 10, 2004

Chuck Oxley

BOISE -- The House tax panel Monday made a second attempt at raising the threshold required to increase taxes, but some key Republicans expressed reservations.

The constitutional amendment was introduced by Republican Rep. Ken Roberts of Donnelly, a member of an increasingly vigorous conservative voice that appears to carry greater sway this year over more moderate GOP members.

Robert's amendment replaces one introduced last month that would have required a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate to approve any state sales, income or corporate tax increase.

His new amendment includes all of the provisions in the first bill, but adds that the Legislature also get supermajority approval before lifting any of the current sales tax exemptions or exclusions.

Like the first draft, the proposed change would also require statewide voter approval before for any tax increase or the repeal of any exemption.

"It doesn't say you can't raise the rates. It raises the threshold you need to raise taxes," Roberts told committee members as he introduced the bill.

The legislation was accepted for consideration on a voice vote, but three Republicans, Reps. Debbie Field of Boise, Leon Smith of Twin Falls and Hilde Kellogg of Post Falls, initially voted against its introduction.

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"I have this looming vision of 2003 in my eyes," Field said, referring to the record-long session last year in which the House battled Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and the Senate over revenue. Facing vetoes from the governor, the House gave way to a 1 cent sales tax increase to raise enough money to balance the state budget.

"I didn't want to raise taxes, but I don't want to be faced with waiting to get out of here," Field added.

Smith called the measure an "invitation to gridlock. If we'd had this in place last year, we would still be here."

Eastern Idaho conservative Dell Raybould voted to consider the bill, but he also reserved his right to vote against it later. His concern is that if taxes and exemptions are nearly impossible to increase, the Legislature will have a tendency to raise funds in other areas.

"I'm hoping for an extended hearing on this. I want to know how it affects departments raising fees and licenses," Raybould said.

Roberts' proposal changes the Constitution. As such, a two-thirds approval of the Legislature and ratification by a majority of the voters in the November election would be required before it could pass.

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