Recently, I have been reading and hearing a lot about groups like the Cajun Navy, which rescued hundreds of people during Hurricane Harvey. The organization formed spontaneously in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and is stimulating a new and much-needed conversation. When you compare the voluntary provision of important public services by the “Cajun Navies” […]
There is a lingering sentiment throughout the country that the American people are not being represented by their government. Most who identify with this feeling are able to recognize that the system is broken in some way but may not be able to pinpoint exactly how or why it is failing them. Dan Johnson, executive […]
Idaho enjoys a reputation as a ‘conservative’ state due primarily to the Republican supermajority in the state legislature, but despite the commonality of the belief, the reality is far different. Yes, Idaho has less restrictive gun laws than many other states (even though there are still several problems to be resolved), but when it comes […]
Otter says the money you would save by repealing the grocery tax is imaginary. Next time you buy groceries for your family take out your imaginary money and think about the Governor living it up on his ranch catering to his crony friends who get all the tax breaks. Otter, like so many other career […]
Tax Day is not an occasion Americans celebrate with picnics, presents, or parades. Yet we haven’t always had a Tax Day. The income tax was foisted upon us in 1913 by the generation that passed the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 16th amendment states, “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect […]
Since 2011, Idaho tax revenue has increased by an average of 5.4% per year. This is strong growth in state revenues following the so-called “great recession.” Now, put this number beside the growth in state spending over the same period. The state’s spending (appropriations) from the General Fund are growing faster and have exceeded revenue […]
Editor’s Note: We are providing this opinion piece by Bill Rutherford, the Democrat Candidate for Idaho State Senator in District 20, in order to assist our readers in understanding their political options. Our publication of this article does not constitute an endorsement of Mr. Rutherford or his positions. This is a story about political greed […]
Dear Members of the Legislature: I write to you today, urging the elimination of the tax on groceries. I cite four reasons for doing so: 1) The tax on groceries disproportionately hurts working poor families; 2) Idaho’s low income levels make regressive taxes like sales taxes more onerous; 3) Increased economic activity will generate more […]
