BSU Annual Survey, Health Insurance for Educators, Working Families Agenda

January 29, 2022 

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." --Margaret Fuller

BSU ANNUAL SURVEY

Boise State University has been conducting an annual policy survey of Idahoans for seven years now. The data is gathered in a rigorous manner across the state and provides invaluable information for lawmakers as we consider policy choices.

The survey includes findings in multiple categories:

·    Taxes & Budget

·    Growth, Housing, & Transportation

·    Covid-19

·    Education & Child Care

·    Environment

·    Law Enforcement & Political Engagement

Education remains Idahoans' top priority for the legislature, with over 60% strongly supporting full-day kindergarten. Jobs and the economy ranked second, while healthcare ranked third. Housing has moved up to the fourth highest priority.

More Idahoans believe the state is headed in the right direction (46%) than on the wrong track (41%). However, the gap between these two opinions has continued to close, shrinking from 30 points in 2019 to only five points this year. 

Idahoans feel that the local governments closest to them – cities (27%) and counties (24%) – are most responsive, followed by the state (20%). Few respondents (7%) feel the national (federal) government responds to their needs. About 12% of Idahoans feel no level of government is responsive, while 4% feel all are equally responsive.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EDUCATORS

H443 has passed the House. This bill creates a fund for school districts to use on health and dental insurance. This would allow districts to use same plan as state employees, lowering premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Districts would be able to choose a different carrier. A separate appropriations bill would be needed to fill the fund. This represents a substantial improvement for public school employees' benefits.

WORKING FAMILIES AGENDA

Idaho House and Senate Democrats want to target the extraordinary budget surplus for tax cuts and investments to help working families in Idaho.

We propose:

·    Repealing the sales tax on groceries,

·    Making the existing state child tax credit refundable,

·    Increasing the homeowner's exemption and pegging it to house costs,

·    Funding EMS needs for underserved areas,

·    More than doubling the property tax assistance program,

·    Distributing funds to school districts to pay down outstanding school bonds and levies to reduce property taxes and pay for outstanding facilities needs, and

·    Distributing the current balance of the internet sales tax fund to local governments.

Our plan includes grocery tax repeal, meaningful property tax relief, and funding for critical needs in education, local communities, and safety. Idahoans have been asking for this and the legislature should deliver it.

Respectfully,

Michelle