Once again, Idaho Legislature abandons working families to give handouts to the rich

Yahoo

22-03-2025

Gov. Brad Little recently signed into law the largest and most reckless tax cut in Idaho history, permanently slashing state revenue by $253 million. Instead of helping struggling families put food on the table, Little and Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, chose to funnel more money into the pockets of the wealthy elite at the direct expense of core services that keep our state functioning.
House Bill 40 is a regressive tax policy that cuts the income tax rate from 5.695% to 5.3% and is structured to benefit Idaho's most wealthy.
Families earning between $55,000 and $91,000 a year will see an average tax break of $127. Meanwhile, Idahoans in the top 1%, earning $738,300 or more annually, will pocket $5,358 in tax cuts.
So while most people get a trip to the grocery store, the wealthiest get a vacation to Mexico. This, and other bills passed or likely to pass this session, will only widen the gap between the elite and everyone else.
Democrats support a common-sense tax policy that would relieve pressure on the majority of Idaho families trying to make ends meet. We'd like to have seen a full repeal of the sales tax on groceries, but instead, the Republican supermajority chose to increase the grocery tax rebate by a laughable $.07 cents a week — good luck buying eggs with that.
A household would never budget without a baseline, but that's exactly what happened with H40 – it landed on the governor's desk before revenue projections were even completed.
As a member of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), I've had a bird's-eye view of the irresponsible way JFAC has operated this session. It has shattered decades of longstanding budgetary norms – norms formerly embraced by fiscally conservative Republicans. Those days are over. The supermajority has made it clear they prefer to cut state funding first and ask questions later.
JFAC cut $500,000 from a program that incentivizes doctors working in rural areas during a time when it's harder than ever to recruit and retain physicians. They gutted $15 million from the workforce housing fund, one of the most important issues in our state. Thirty-six million has been cut from transportation, and $25 million from the home energy tax rebate, which disproportionately harms the elderly. They even cut $10 million from university budgets that would have supported in-demand careers, like nursing, teaching, computer science and construction management.
Inevitably, without a mechanism to recoup these brutal budget cuts, Idaho will bankrupt our budget. It's a gamble with Idaho's future, and if you're like me, you will pay the price because you're not in the top 1% tax bracket.
When budget shortfalls inevitably hit, Republicans will be left with two choices — raising taxes later or gutting essential services even further. The true 'economic benefits' of these cuts will be seen once families send their kids to schools with crumbling infrastructure and large class sizes, potholes and failing bridges, and emergency services that look more like a developing nation, not Idaho as we've known it.
This session laid bare that only Democrats care about fiscal responsibility anymore — please take a look at our voting records. A fair tax system that is sustainable and capable of funding the services we call count on is at stake.
If Idahoans want a government that works for them — not just for the wealthy and well-connected — it's time to hold lawmakers accountable. In 2026, vote for leaders who listen, lead with integrity, and champion sound fiscal policies.
Sen. Melissa Wintrow is a Democrat from Boise who serves as the minority leader.