Idaho state legislators headed home this week after their third longest session, leaving behind a mixed record.
Homeowners have a few pieces of legislation to cheer including a homeowner's tax exemption increased from $50,000 to $75,000, along with an authorization to include land values. The exemption will also be adjusted periodically for inflation.
It's not what supporters of relief for soaring property tax bills had in mind for residents in high-value enclaves like Blaine County. Despite statewide hearings on public ideas for relief, bold measures offering real relief died in squabbles that continued throughout the session.
Now, with the 2007 session nine months away, legislators are honor-bound to return with genuine remedies.
As the home building boom continues, the idea of a relatively paltry real estate transfer tax on property sales gains more pertinence. It would cost homebuyers mere dollars but provide large revenue benefits to counties with pressing needs.
A hooray also is due for passage of a two-year moratorium on construction of coal-burning industrial plants.
However, the Legislature needs to manage its time better. Tax exemption was the 19th bill introduced in January out of a total of 475, but it was not passed until the final week.
Lawmakers bogged down with distractions that neither improved state government or citizen services, but appealed only to eccentric priorities of some legislators.
Arguing over how to maintain closed-door committee hearings was an example of time wasted while revealing some legislators' impatience with open government.
The Legislature is finished. Let the election season begin.
