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Legislation and Growth
Impact of the State Capitol on Cities and Growth
BoiseDev discussed a fresh episode of the BoiseDev podcast with Idaho Governor Brad Little. The conversation touched on a range of issues related to cities and growth.
With the 2023 Idaho legislature in full swing, Little spoke about issues affecting everyday life, including housing, property tax increases, and more.
Part 1 of the series delves into property taxes and housing affordability.
property tax
Over the past few years, many Idahoans have seen property taxes on their homes rise. Tax increases have been accelerated by rapid increases in property values, 2016 laws shifting tax burdens, and, in some cases, increases in local government budgets.
The Idaho Legislature has considered several approaches in recent sessions and is working on a proposal this month. Little did I say there was a devil in the details of property tax law.
“Most of the time, there are only two things you can do with property taxes. Either way, you can transfer it to someone else.”
He said that whatever state lawmakers approve should be “fair, simple, predictable and competitive.”
“Solutions for one tax district or one population can sometimes make things worse for another,” Little said. “Like-minded local legislators come together and say, ‘We’ve found a solution.’ region)”.
Our conversation took place before the bill was introduced by the House committee that outlined the House and Senate’s ideas late last week.
No matter what happens, Mr. Little said he hopes to see a solution that works in all 44 of Idaho’s counties, and pitched the idea of moving defense spending from local budgets to the state ledger.
“What I have asked the legislature to do is essentially shift taxes.
It goes without saying that states have taken a similar approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, pouring dollars into cities to ensure public safety. Cities and counties will continue to be in charge of local law enforcement, but dollars will come from the state.
“We took the money out of the money we received from the federal government and gave it to all local governments to cover basic public safety,” Little said.
housing
Little believes a key way to solve the housing crisis in Idaho is for governments (state and local governments) to fund infrastructure and make sure it works. said.
“There are some budget proposals to help cities with sewers, water, roads, broadband, etc.,” he said. “If we can help with some of these things, I know the market will respond and build more homes.
He said it is not a quick fix and will take time.
“My number one goal is for my children to choose to stay here. If you’re working for someone else – they want to have upward liquidity – but being able to afford a home is important.”
Little is said about the state’s injection of $50 million into the Idaho Department of Housing, and that it exceeded expectations in terms of housing units it was able to fund.
“We are literally victims of our own success. All of our children want to stay here, and others want to move here. If some weren’t so hostile to business, there wouldn’t be as many people moving here.”
He said housing affordability will continue to be a pressing issue due to other factors in the market, even as the government sticks the needle with regulations, taxes and support.
“After the real estate collapse[in the early 2010s]we changed the rules and regulations on baking at the federal level. No more housing.”
He said the economic slowdown could drive out some speculators operating in parts of Idaho, including Treasure Valley.
“I think some of them will come back to the market and[lower prices]. I think it would help us if we put some of the houses on the market and freed them from speculation.”
You can listen to the entire podcast by clicking here or searching for BoiseDev in your favorite podcast app.
tomorrow: He discusses how states and cities can work together, plus his thoughts on ACHD, public transportation, density, and more.
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