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May 5, 2021 Updated: May 5, 2021 at 7:13 p.m.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) – A bill to ease property tax in Idaho, described by opponents as insufficient and at least something by supporters, was passed by the Senate on Wednesday and passed on to the governor.
The Senate voted between 19 and 16 to approve the move to increase the homeowner’s exemption from $ 100,000 to $ 125,000. It would also increase a property tax reduction for qualified low-income seniors known as breakers from $ 1,320 to $ 1,500.
Corporations will receive an increase in property tax exemption from $ 100,000 to $ 250,000.
The measure limits local and regional government budget growth that some believe will be needed to add services to rapidly growing areas. Legislators in the fast-growing areas, in which real estate values have also risen sharply, tended to reject the measure.
“We have structural problems with property tax that require more than the approach of a thin pulp breaker, an exception for thin homeowners,” said Democratic Senator Grant Burgoyne.
Republican Senator Scott Grow spoke out in favor of the measure.
“It’s something I think homeowners will be excited about,” he said. “We’re moving the needle a little here. It could be more, yes. “
The measure was passed by House 48-20 on Tuesday.