Idaho House Moves Quickly on Personal Property Tax Elimination

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho representatives hastily voted for a plan to eliminate the personal property tax for about 90 percent of Idaho businesses. Tuesday's 67-2 came as the bill flew through the House at breakneck speed. It was introduced only Monday, got a brief public hearing Tuesday morning, and by afternoon had been shipped to the Senate.

House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude says there was no reason to wait around, so leadership took the uncommon step of scheduling a near-immediate vote on the $20 million tax break. House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star said this bill moves Idaho closer to eventually eliminating the entire personal property tax.

Idaho industry favored alternative proposal, but lawmakers rejected it without a full hearing, on grounds its $120 million cost was too high.