By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The Idaho House of Representatives voted 58-12 Tuesday to overturn a veto from Gov. Brad Little on a major property tax relief proposal.
The vote to overturn the veto came with just one Republican, Rep. Greg Lanting of Twin Falls, siding with the Democrats against the move.
The vote came immediately after the House passed H 376, a bill that Rep. Jason Monks, R-Nampa, introduced about three hours earlier on Tuesday. It clarifies the priority in which sales tax distributions in House Bill 292, vetoed by Little, are distributed for transportation projects.
The bill bypassed a public hearing and was sent directly to the House floor for a vote.
It addresses distribution of funding for public defense in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, which was a concern for Little in his veto letter. It does not restore the March school bond and levy election date.
Earlier Tuesday, the House shot down a proposal that the Senate pushed out immediately after the veto and could have served as a potential remedy. The Senate’s version would have restored the March school bond and levy election date. It also dealt with sales taxes in a way senators believed would satisfy Little.
Rep. David Cannon, R-Blackfoot, said the bill amended by the Senate was unrecognizable and asked the body to reject the proposed amendments.
“We are not here to be subservient to the body across the rotunda,” Cannon said, referring to the Senate.
The move to overturn the veto still needs support from two-thirds of the Senate to succeed. After the House voted, the Senate went at ease to allow for a majority caucus meeting.
Ruth Brown | Producer
Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.
