Our View: A bad choice, but the others are worse | Editorials | Idaho Statesman
Depending on how you think of it, the Idaho House voted to raise taxes or delayed a tax break. Either way, the grocery tax credit is most valuable to low-income Idahoans. Putting this tax relief on hold for one year is an awful place to scrounge up $15 million.
But the move mitigates the damage in the 2011-12 budget — staving off some further program cuts that would have a profound effect on low-income Idahoans.
Tax increase or not, there’s no debating it’s a flip-flop.
In 2008, lawmakers voted to incrementally increase this income tax credit by $10 a year, in order to better reflect the sales taxes paid on food. They also kept a structure that provides a bigger break to Idaho’s poorest residents: $70 per household member in 2010, compared to $50 per household member for everyone else. (Seniors get an additional $20 per person.)
The long-range — and now, evidently, longer-range — plan is to max out the credits at $100 per person, regardless of income, and $120 for seniors. But now, staring at a $92 million shortfall, the House voted overwhelmingly to freeze the grocery tax credits [...]
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“Our View” is the editorial position of the Idaho Statesman. It is an unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Statesman’s editorial board. To comment on an editorial or suggest a topic, email editorial@idahostatesman.com.
Someone brought up Saturday night that it bothered them that we send aid to other countries so quickly when our own people aren't taken care of. I agree, on it's surface that's a problem. What I couldn't articulate within the few minutes of our conversation is that that's like saying I have to be perfect before I can be helpful. It's good to take responsibility and take care of ourselves first, but some problems take longer than others to address and if, while we're addressing those things, a problem arises for someone else and we can help despite our own difficulties, it's kind, and I think right to do so. We haven't fixed our own problems, but we're aware of and addressing them, and Japan needs our help, as have many other countries over the years, and we have enough extra, right now (given that our repayment of debt and so forth is on hold anyway), to give them a hand at least for a little while. That's good, I think. I hope I remember to mention it this Saturday, but in case I don't or don't get a chance, there it is. If ya know that guy please let him know I finally got my thoughts together. :)
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