There certainly is a lot of activity at the new and improved statehouse, but none of our issues have surfaced yet. That doesn't mean we're not working on them, though. IPEA has been working all summer and fall to get two important pieces of legislation written: One would change the position of "Administrator" of Human Resources to "Director" of Human Resources; one would place that Director under the authority of the Idaho Personnel Commission. The legislation has been written, and we have a couple of sponsors. We are still assisting the Representative who is carrying the bill to find cosponsors, and we think we may be making progress here. Why is this important? There are two main reasons: This change would increase the professionalism of the management of Human Resources. This change would also depoliticize the state workforce. This change would also take Mr. Gwartney, and any of his predecessors in future administrations, out of Human Resource management. We'll be asking for your support when this bill is introduced.
We're also concerned about budget cuts. For some time we have been advocating for our legislators to look at the revenue side of the budget, and now, with the long recession, there is some support for this. Unfortunately, there isn't enough. We will support legislator's efforts to do something about the existing tax code so all of us pay our fair share, including the wealthy, large corporations, and the large landowners. For too long the burden of supporting state services has rested on the low and middle income Idahoans and the small business people. We think that should change. Did you know that the ceiling for state income tax is about $25,000? That means, if you make $25,000, you're paying the same amount of state income tax as someone who makes $100,000.
Here's an installment of Boise Weekly's "Unda' the Rotunda" column about the state legislature from this week. Now, keep in mind, the Boise Weekly is the city's alternative newspaper, so it doesn't just "lean" left, it is unabashedly left, so keep that in mind if you read some of the other articles. But, lately, this column has really been right on the mark concerning the state legislature.
Here's this week's column which is about collecting taxes from the "scofflaws".
Now read this column from two years ago. Isn't it about time something is done about this stuff?
