Home
In the News
About Kate
On the Record
Get Involved
Endorsements
Contribute
Links
  Integrity at Work
 

Contact Kate

Senator Kate Kelly

P.O. Box 654

Boise, ID 83701

850-7217

kate@katekellysenate.org

           Senator Kate Kelly

           On the Record

           Working for Tax Fairness
   
 

Property Taxes & Tax Exemptions

Senator Kelly has heard from many of you with concerns that you, your neighbors, or your relatives are struggling to keep up with rising taxes. She will continue to support meaningful proposals for relief. During the previous legislative sessions, Senator Kelly

  • Introduced a bill protecting Idaho 's homeowners from excessive residential property value inflation by increasing the limit of the homeowner property tax exemption to $150,000.
  •  Introduced a bill to provide for the expiration of all tax credits, deductions, and exemptions on a periodic basis unless they are reauthorized by statute.  

     

 

Reducing the Tax on Groceries

Many District 18 residents have expressed their thoughts that it is unfair for Idaho to impose a sales tax on food. Like many of you, Senator Kelly believes we should eliminate this tax at the register. Unfortunately, that solution simply isn't politically feasible in Idaho.

Instead, in the 2008 session Senator Kelly supported a “compromise” bill that will gradually increase the existing grocery tax rebate. At this time, food sales in Idaho are generally taxed at 6%, but residents are entitled to a $20 rebate on their tax returns. The new bill immediately raises the rebate for our lowest-income residents to $50, while everyone else will receive $30. Over time, the rebate for most people will increase to $100.

     
 

Making Growth Pay Its Own Way

Senator Kelly has been contacted by many of you who want the Legislature to help deal with the effects of our population growth, including making growth pay for itself. Increases in local budgets (city, county, schools) have been driven, at least in part, by new construction added to the property tax rolls for which tax receipts are delayed for a year or more. Many existing homeowners feel they are shouldering the costs of growth, and in many ways they are right.

Senator Kelly supports measures to increase local governments' ability to impose impact fees and other equitable solutions to the burdens of growth. She believes that we should use the current lull in the housing market to better plan the future of development in Idaho.

   

 

Paid for by Kelly for Senate. Susan Eastlake, Treasurer