Submitted by Fox First at Ten on January 10th
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Idaho business owners could be in for quite the surprise in the coming months. Governor Butch Otter has petitioned a shift in taxes in an attempt to promote a hiring increase.
During the state of the state address on Monday, Governor Otter proposed that if we eliminate the personal property tax than we will ease what is known by many as the "strain" on large business.
In addition the governor stated that in order to make up for the loss, Idaho's government set aside $20 million dollars to pay the local governments. He also advocated giving an increase in power to city and county governments to generate their local funds.
Kootenai County has 45 taxable districts. Some of the county leaders say that if the Governors proposal goes through that they fear that county services may be reduced and the shortfall in tax revenue will bring a higher tax burden to homeowners or businesses
Local business owner Shane Berger who runs Frame of Mind Framing & Art in Coeur D'Alene agrees with this petition. KHQ reporter Dylan Wholenhaus spoke with her and she had this to say, "Even though my small business doesn't pay much on taxes for the tools I uses to operate, I can see how it could be a concern to larger corporations."
Berger hopes that no matter the outcome, her shop will continue to keep people in the "right" frame of mind, for the next 30 years.
