The Idaho GOP has added a plank to its platform calling for the elimination of property taxes, which could leave schools with a multimillion-dollar funding gap. Scott Herndon, who won his primary election, led the charge to add the plank, citing the need for true private property ownership.

Impact on Schools

If the Idaho Legislature follows Herndon’s plan, public schools would miss out on over $400 million in funding. Herndon believes that the state can make up for the lost revenue through overall growth in the state economy, without increasing sales or income tax rates.

However, House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel disagrees, stating that Herndon’s plan is unrealistic and would shift the burden of taxation to sales tax, which is regressive and would disproportionately affect the poor and working class.

Replacement Revenue

Herndon proposes replacing property taxes with state tax revenue, which would require the state to take on a larger role in funding schools. He suggests that the state could make up for the lost revenue by reducing government spending and not adding new programs.

Rubel argues that the plan is not a credible solution and would leave schools without the funds they need to operate. She believes that the plan is intended to be a crowd-pleaser, rather than a serious proposal for reform.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.