Capitol Letters: When should voters decide on school bonds? Bill would eliminate dates
By Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
A bill that would eliminate half the months that school districts can run bond and levy elections, a move supporters said would improve voter turnout, passed in the Idaho House on Friday.
But lawmakers and school leaders who oppose the proposal said it would hinder a necessary tool to fund school facilities and operational costs, which many districts are funding by taking on debt and relying on local property taxpayers.
School districts can hold elections asking voters to approve bonds and levies four times per year, in March, May, August and November. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, would eliminate the March and August elections.
Idaho school leaders on Wednesday told lawmakers that Alfieri’s bill would impair their ability to fund their needs, particularly by eliminating March bond and levy elections, which are the most successful and are crucial for timing school budgets.
Over the last decade, there have been 126 bond elections by Idaho school districts, according to data from the Idaho School Boards Association. Elections held in March had a 55% approval rate, compared with 36% in May, 33% in August and 24% in November, the data shows.
Read my full story here.
What to expect today
- 8 a.m. Joint Finance-Appropriations. The docket includes the secretary of state’s budget.
- 9 a.m. House Revenue and Taxation. Legislators plan to introduce more legislation on property taxes and development impact fees. The committee will also hold a hearing on House Bill 51, requiring property valuation assessment notices to disclose more information, such as market values for the past two years.
- 8 a.m. Senate State Affairs. Draft legislation related to state disasters, county sheriffs and political subdivisions are all up for consideration. The public can also testify on a bill to repeal marriage licenses and a bill to bar cities from defying Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- 1:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary and Rules. Lawmakers will consider more legislation related to child abuse and protection, and draft legislation on COVID-19 vaccine requirements. The public can testify for Senate Bill 1050 and 1051.
- 1:30 p.m. House Judiciary, Rules and Administration. Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, plans to introduce a bill that would repeal law that allows for “faith healing,” religious exemptions for parents withholding medical care for their children.
Find the full list of committee meetings and agendas for the House here, and for the Senate here.
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This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Capitol Letters: When should voters decide on school bonds? Bill would eliminate dates."
