>>> PRESENTATION OF IDAHO REPORTS ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THE INCOME TAX BILL IS OVER THE FINISH LINE, BUT BIG QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN ON WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER DO ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES.

AND WHETHER IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR IDAHOANS.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK RUTH BROWN INTERVIEWS REPRESENTATIVE BRANDON MITCHELL ON HIS EXPERIENCES WITH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND WHAT HE THINKS IDAHO CAN DO TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE FOSTER PARENTS.

THEN GOODING COUNTY ASSESSOR JUSTIN BALD QUINN AND SHOSHONE JERRY WHITE JOIN ME TO DISCUSS IDAHO'S PROPERTY TAXES.

>>> AND THE NATIONAL GUARD IS ASSISTING WITH COVID LID STAFFING SHORTAGES.

THIS COMES AS IDAHO'S POSITIVE RATE DROPPED MONTHSESTLY THIS WEEK -- MODESTLY FROM LAST WEEK'S 39%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE RISEN ACROSS THE STATE.

PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO RISING, AND IDAHO RECORDED ITS SECOND PEDIATRIC DEATH FROM COVID-19.

FOR MORE OF OUR COVID COVERAGE, VISIT IDAHO P TV/"IDAHO REPORTS."

>>> ON TUESDAY THE SENATE PASSED AN INCOME TAX REDUCTION AND REBATE IN A 27-7 VOTE.

IT PROVIDES A TAX REBATE TO I'VE HAD YOONS AND LOWERS THE INCOME TAX RATES TO 6%.

ALSO PROMINENT IN THE DEBATE, STRONG DISAGREEMENTS OVER HOW TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

>> MY MOTION TO MOVE HOUSE BILL 436 TO THE 14TH ORDER IS ONLY TO ADD GROCERY TAX REPEAL.

IT'S ONLY TO REMOVE THE TAX ON FOOD.

FOR YEARS NOW, THIS IS THE MOST CONSISTENT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

THIS IS THE MOST CONSISTENT ASK FROM THE PEOPLE OF THIS GOOD STATE.

AND I JUST FIND IT INCUMBENT UPON US TO OFFER THEM THAT RELIEF.

>> WHAT YOU'RE HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC IS THEY WANT TO KEEP THE TAX CREDIT AND GET RID OF THE SALES TAX.

IF YOU GET RID OF THE CREDIT, PEOPLE ARE GONNA GET AN INCREASE IN TAXES.

THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

THE PROPER MOVE IS TO INCREASE THE CREDIT.

>> THAT MOTION TO OPEN THE BILL FOR AMENDMENTS FAILED WITH ONLY SENATOR CHRISTY ZITO AND THE DEMOCRATS IN SUPPORT.

THE DEBATE TURNED TO THE INCOME TAX PROPOSAL.

>> I'LL TELL YOU UP FRONT, WITH DUE RESPECT AND WITH GREAT REINSPECT TO THOSE WHO WORKED SO HARD ON IT, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE SPENT THIS MUCH MONEY THIS WAY.

THAT SAID, I RECOGNIZE THE STATE SHOULD NOT JUST SIT ON THE MONEY EITHER.

>> I DO BELIEVE A TAX CUT IS -- IS -- YOU KNOW, IT'S CERTAINLY ACCEPTABLE AND IT'S SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO BE DOING.

BUT I THINK THAT IN THESE TIMES, WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT REALLY WILL IMMEDIATELY BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

AND SO IN MY MIND, THAT'S REPEALING THE GROCERY TAX CREDIT.

THEY WILL GET IMMEDIATE RELIEF WHEN THEY GO TO THE STORES.

AND IT'S LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, WHICH THE CONSTITUENTS I REPRESENT ARE DEBT OPERATE FOR.

>> -- DESPERATE FOR.

>> WE SOMETIMES FORGET THAT WHEN THEY WRITE THOSE CHECKS, WHEN THEY SUBMIT THEIR FORMS, IT'S COMING OUT OF THE SAME BANK ACCOUNT.

SO WHETHER IT'S AN INCOME TAX OR PROPERTY TAX OR SALES TAX, IT'S ALL COMING OUT OF THEIR SAME CHECKING ACCOUNT.

>> AFTER IT PASSED THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL ON FRIDAY.

IDAHOANS SHOULD START RECEIVING THOSE REBATE CHECKS IN LATE MARCH.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON TAXES LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> ON THURSDAY THE SENATE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW IDAHO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENROLL THEIR EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE'S INSURANCE PLAN.

LAWMAKERS HAVE LAUDED THE PROPOSAL AS IMPROVING PAY PARITY FOR TEACHERS AND POSSIBLY TAKING SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF OF RELIANCE ON SUPPLEMENTAL WHREFES.

THE BILL NOW -- LEVEES.

THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR.

>>> A MONDAY BUDGET PRESENTATION, DIRECTOR DAVE JEPPESEN TOLD THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ABOUT THE DIRE SITUATION FOR FOSTER KIDS AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT COLLECTIVELY, WE CAN DO BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IN IDAHO WHICH IS MUCH BROUGHTER -- BROADER THAN DHW.

WE WANT TO DO BETTER.

WE OWE TO IT THE CHILDREN OF IDAHO.

WE ARE ENGAGED IN PROBLEM SOLVING.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE HOPE TO INCREASE RECRUITMENT AND PREVENT THE LOSS OF EXPERIENCED STAFF IS THROUGH RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BONUSES.

THE CURRENT STAFFING SHORTAGE WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS CAUSING OUR CASE WORKERS TO BE OVERLOADED.

THAT'S A VICIOUS CYCLE.

WHEN A STAFF MEMBER LEAVES, THE AMOUNT OF WORK DOES NOT DECREASE WHICH MEANS THE STAFF THAT ARE LEFT SEE AN INCREASE IN THEIR WORKLOAD, CAUSING THEM EVEN MORE STRESS IN AN ALREADY STRESSFUL JOB.

IDAHO PAYS THE LOWEST STIPE ENDED FOR FOSTER -- STIPE ENDED FOR FOSTER CARE.

AND OUR FOSTER FAMILIES WHO OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE ARE FACING INCREASED HOUSING AND OTHER COSTS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL 21 SOCIAL WORKER POSITIONS AND INCREASED REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR FAMILIES.

LAST YEAR THE IDAHO CAPITAL SUN REPORTED MORE THAN 40 CHILDREN HAD TO STAY IN HOTELS OR SHORT-TERM RENTALS BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF FOSTER FAMILIES.

>>> REPRESENTATIVE BRANDON MITCHELL OF MOSCOW AND HIS WIFE HAVE FOSTERED A NUMBER OF CHILDREN OVER THE YEARS.

HE JOINED RUTH BROWN ON THURSDAY TO TALK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND HIS VIEWS ON WHAT THE STATE CAN DO TO SUPPORT FOSTER CARE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WAS HOPING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE FOSTERING CHILDREN.

LAST YEAR YOU SPOKE VOCALLY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FOSTERING CHILDREN AND WHAT HAS THAT BEEN LIKE FOR YOUR FAMILY?

>> I THINK WE STARTED GETTING INTO FOSTER CARE EARLY ON IN YOUR ON MARRIAGE.

AND IT IS -- IN OUR OPINION, IT WAS A BLESSING TO HELP THESE CHILDREN OUT AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE -- IT'S WHERE MOST OF IT CAME FROM, FROM THE HEART.

IT HAD SEVERAL KIDS TO OUR HOME THAT REALLY TOUCHED OUR LIVES.

I SHARED A STORY LAST YEAR ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND I -- AM FINE SAY SHARING THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE PASSED A BILL FOR THE FOSTER SYSTEM AND I WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THAT BILL.

THAT BILL ALLOWED FOR CHILDREN THAT AGED OUT OF THE SYSTEM, IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE -- IF THEY WEREN'T READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD, THEN THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY UNTIL THEY WERE 21.

AND WE HAD AN INSTANCE OF TWO YOUNG LADIES THAT -- YOUNG LADY THAT WAS IN MY HOME AND HER SISTER.

AND AS SOON AS THEY AGED OUT, HER SISTER, WHO WA IN OUR HOME -- OR THE YOUNG LADY IN OUR HOME ACTUALLY CALLED US BACK AND SAYS, MOM, DAD, I WANT TO COME HOME.

SO WE BROUGHT HER HOME.

GOT HER BACK INTO SCHOOL, GOT HER HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND SHE'S DOING GREAT.

SHE'S SERVING IN THE MILITARY, GETTING READY TO GO OVERSEAS AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME.

AND THEN ON THE FLIP SIDE, HER SISTER THAT AGED OUT AND DIDN'T HAVE THAT TO LATCH ON TO ENDED UP IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PATH DOWN IN LAS VEGAS AND IT WAS JUST -- IT WAS SAD TO SEE.

BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THAT OUR DAUGHTER CAME OUT AND DID THAT.

>> ON MONDAY THE DEPARTMENT OF -- EXCUSE ME, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE AND HE'S REQUESTING 21 NEW SOCIAL WORKERS AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO PAY THOSE FOLKS OVERTIME RATHER THAN GIVING THEM COMP TIME.

DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE VALUE OF THAT?

>> SO IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING BECAUSE WE WATCH WHERE OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING AND WHERE IT'S BEING SPENT AND I THINK THAT HAVING MORE SOCIAL WORKERS OUT THERE IS A GOOD THING.

BECAUSE IT GIVES -- IT GIVES THE FAMILIES THAT DO TAKE ON THESE CHILDREN, GIVES THEM A SUPPORT THEY CAN GO TO, A WAY TO -- SOMEONE TO TURN TO WHEN THEY HAVE QUESTIONS AND NEED ANSWERS.

I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OUT THERE TO HELP OUT THE CHILDREN, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CHILDREN ON THE STREETS THAT NEED A GOOD HOME TO GO TO.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT ON JFAG, BUT WHAT DO YOU SEE AS WAYS THE STATES COULD -- STATE COULD IMPROVE THE FOSTER SYSTEM THROUGH POLICY?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE CAN DO IS REALLY -- I GUESS ADVERTISING THE IMPORTANCE OF IT.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING CARE OF THESE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE A GOOD HOME TO BE IN.

THAT DON'T HAVE A GOOD SITUATION.

I THINK THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE CAN DO, IS JUST GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF IT.

AND THEN SEEK OUT AND FIND THOSE PARENTS THAT REALLY DO WANT TO DO IT FOR THE KIDS.

IT'S -- IN OUR HOME IT WAS MORE ABOUT THE KIDS THAN IT WAS ABOUT ANY KIND OF FUNDING THAT WE MAY HAVE HAD.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE COSTS INVOLVED.

WE HAD A LOT OF COSTS INVOLVED WITH ALL THE KIDS THAT CAME THROUGH OUR HOME.

AND AS A THERAPEUTIC HOME, WE HAD EVEN MORE COSTS.

AND THEY TOOK CARE OF US ON SOME OF THE COSTS, BUT I THINK THE TE BIGGEST THING IS JUST MAKING SURE THE PARENTS ARE IN IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON AND TAKING CARE OF THE KIDS.

AND I THINK GETTING THE WORD OUT IS GOING TO BE THE BIG THING.

>> PARENTS WO ARE IN IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON.

THAT RINGS A BELL.

DIRECTOR JEPPESEN IS ALSO ASKING THE STATE TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER PARENTS.

THE STATE OF IDAHO DOES HAVE ONE OF THE LOWER RATES FOR COMPENSATION.

YOU'VE SAID YOU AND YOUR WIFE WERE NEVER IN IT FOR THE MONEY.

DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS WITH RAISING THE RATE FOR FOSTER PARENTS OR -- >> I THINK THE ONLY CONCERN THAT I WAS -- WOULD HAVE IS HOW HIGH WE RAISE IT.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE -- I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT GET TO A POINT WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST DOING IT FOR THE MONEY.

WHEN WE WERE DOING FOSTER PARENTING IN OREGON, THERE WERE A LOT OF FAMILIES █THAT WERE DOING IT JUST FOR THE MONEY AND THEY'D TAKE ON FIVE OR SIX KIDS THEY COULDN'T HANDLE SO IT WAS -- AND IT WAS ALL FOR THE MONEY, SO IT WAS MORE -- IT WAS TAKING ON KIDS AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GIVE THE LOD THAT WAS NEEDED AND -- LOVE THAT WAS NEEDED.

AND I SAY THAT -- WE HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH A COUPLE OF KIDS AND THEY WERE -- ABUSED AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.

AND THE YOUNG BOY, ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD, WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK.

HE WAS STILL IN DIAPERS.

JUST LAID ON THE FLOOR.

AND THE CASE WORKER TOLD US THAT'S WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO.

AND A WEEK LATER SHE CALLED US AND SAID HOW ARE THEY DOING.

THEY'RE DOING GREAT.

HUNT SER OUT PLAYING WITH HER SECOND DOWN.

AND SHE CAME OVER IMMEDIATELY AND SAT ON OUR COACH CRYING BECAUSE HE WAS OUT PLAYING.

AND SHE SAID WHAT HAVE YOU DONE.

I SAID YOU JUST LOVE HIM.

HE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT HE'S TAKEN CARE OF AND SAFE.

AND THAT WAS THE BIGGEST KEY.

AND SO I GET IF I WERE TO -- GUESS IF I WERE TO SAY SOMETHING, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LOOK FOR IN FOSTER PARENTS, IS SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO CARE FOR THE CHILD AND SO THE FUNDING -- I'M ALL FOR, WE NEED TO HELP THEM OUT WITH SOME FUNDS.

I JUST DON'T WANT IT TO GET TO A POINT WHERE IT'S FOR THE MONEY INSTEAD OF FOR THE KIDS.

>> YOU HAVE WORKED WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE COME FROM TROUBLED HOMES.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF LIVING IN A STATE THAT HAS A SHORTAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS, THAT HAS A SHORTAGE OF LOVING FOSTER HOMES?

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK MY BIGGEST WORRY WITH THAT IS THAT THESE CHILDREN EVENTUALLY GROW UP.

AND THEY -- IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF STABLE ENVIRONMENT TO GROW UP IN, THEN THEY BECOME A BUT ON THE STATE THROUGH -- BURDEN ON THE STATE THROUGH HAVING TO SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS ON THE WELFARE PROGRAM.

SOME OF THEM END UP GETTING INTO CRIME AND STUFF.

SO I THINK THE IMPORTANT PART TO REMEMBER IS WE NEED PEOPLE THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM AND IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THE CHILDREN, YOU'LL HAVE TOO MANY KIDS THAT ARE LOST, THAT WE LOSE, AND NOBODY SHOULD EVER GET LOST.

>>> FOR RUTH'S FULL CONVERSATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, VISIT THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> AND TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE SHORTAGE OF FOSTER FAMILIES AND THE CHALLENGES FACING IDAHO'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, LISTEN TO THE JANUARY 12TH EPISODE OF THE "IDAHO REPORTS" PODCAST WITH IDAHO CAPITAL SUN REPORTER KELCIE MOSELEY MORRIS.

>>> ON TUESDAY THE HOUSE BUSINESS COMMITTEE MOVED FORWARD A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM CAPPING APPLICATION FEES ON PRIVATE RENTAL PROPERTIES.

STATE LAW ALREADY BANS CITIES FROM CONTROLLING THE COST OF RENT ON PRIVATE PROPERTIES.

BOISE IS THE ONLY CITY TO HAVE A CAP ON APPLICATION FEES AND ORDINANCE -- AN ORDINANCE THAT PASSED IN 2019.

THAT CAP IS $30.

AND MOST OF THE TESTIMONY ON TUESDAY OPPOSED THE BILL THAT WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE CAP.

>> RIGHT NOW OUR COMMUNITY IS SUFFERING AND I HEAR:00 A.M. FROM FOLKS EVERY -- HEAR:00 A.M. FROM FOLKS EVERY DAY ABOUT THE WAYS THEY'RE LOSING THEIR DIGNITY IN TRYING TO SURVIVE IN THIS MOMENT.

SO I URGE YOU NOT TO MAKE LIFE HARDER FOR BOISEANS OR IDAHOANS.

>> WE NEED TO BE A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE.

IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO BUILD APARTMENT AND THE HAVE HOUSING, WE NEED TO BE FRIENDLY.

THE REASON RENT IS HIGH RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT ANYTHING AVAILABLE.

AND PROPERTY TAXES ARE RIDICULOUS.

THEY'RE HIGH.

THOSE RENTAL COMPANIES, THEY HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THAT PROPERTY TAX.

>> THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE AFTER TWO AND A HALF HOURS OF TESTIMONY AND WILL GO BEFORE THE FULL HOUSE FOR DEBATE.

>>> NOW THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE ADDRESSED INCOME TAXES AND AS CONSTITUENTS CLAMOR FOR THEM TO ADDRESS RISING PROPERTY TAXES, WHAT'S NEXT ON THE AGENDA?

OVER THE LAST WEEK LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES HAVE INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF BILLS TO FURTHER TWEAK THE CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES THEY MADE LAST YEAR TO THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A RUNDOWN OF THOSE BILLS ONLINE.

ON FRIDAY I SAT TOWN WITH GOODING COUNTY ASSESSOR JUSTIN BALDWIN AND SHOSHONE ASSESSOR JAISH WHITE TO -- TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES AND THE LEAD-UP TO THIS SESSION.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION IN SHOSHONE COUNTY?

>> IN SHOSHONE, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME -- WE WERE KIND OF A BEDROOM COMMUNITY, IN THE COUNTY, WHICH IS SEEING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ADA COUNTY DOES.

WE'RE SEE -- >> THE GROWTH AND COST OF LIVING, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

AND -- BUT BEING A BEDROOM COMMUNITY AND VERY LITTLE PUBLIC LAND, OUR INVENTORIES ARE LOW, AND PEOPLE IN KOOTENAI COUNTY ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

I THINK THEIR AVERAGE SOM MANY HOME SALE IS JUST SOUTH OF 500,000 NOW.

THAT EXCLUDES A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE MARKET THAT WANT TO BE HOME OIRMTS.

-- HOMEOWNERS.

SO WE SEE THEM MOVING TO OUR AREA BECAUSE THEY CAN BUY MORE HOME FOR THE DOLLARS THEY DO HAVE AND/OR EVEN BUY A HOME.

SO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE OUR VALUES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY.

LAST YEAR WE SEEN A LOT OF 20, 30% INCREASES IN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

THIS YEAR A GUT FEELING, I'M BE 50, 60%.

WE ALSO HAD A LOT OF HOMES THAT WERE SECOND HOMES THAT WERE BEING RENTED OUT, HAVE SINCE SOLD.

SO IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE SEEING OUR RENTS DRAMATICALLY INCREASE, THREE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM HOUSE, TWO YEARS AGO COULD BE OBTAINED FOR AROUND 700 DOLLARS.

AND NOW THAT'S CLOSER TO 17 OR $1800.

>> THAT'S A STEEP PRICE FOR A YOUNG FAMILY.

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUNG PEOPLE, EVEN LOOKING TO RENT OR BUY A HOME, AND OUR WAGES ARE GOING UP, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING UP IN THE SAME -- AS OUR VALUES.

>> AND SHOSHONE COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA NUMBER OF RESIDENTS ON THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT AND WHY IT'S SO HEAVILY UTILIZED?

>> CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM OR ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION FORM IS A PROGRAM THAT'S FUNDED BY STATE SALES TAX AND IT'S FOR ELDERLY, 65 AND OLDER, WIDOW, WIDOWER, AND THERE'S SOME OTHER LIKE PRISONERS OF WARS THAT FALL IN THAT.

THIS YEAR THEIR INCOME HAS TO BE LESS THAN $32,230 AFTER MEDICAL EXPENSES.

ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S SO HIGH COUNT, WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 2,000 PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION.

LAST YEAR WE HAD 647 PEOPLE THAT QUALIFIED FOR THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S SO HIGH IS THAT MYSELF AND MY STAFF WHO ARE FANTASTIC, REALLY PUSHED THE PROGRAM.

WE DO OUTREACH.

WE TALK TO PEOPLE.

AND IT'S A SMALL COMMUNITY.

SO WORD OF MOUTH GETS OUT THERE THAT IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

ALSO, WE HAVE A LOT OF WIDOW, WITHOUDERS, ESPECIALLY WIDOWS IN OUR COUNTY.

WE'RE HOME TO LARGE HARD ROCK MINING AND MINERS, THEY -- THEY TEND TO DIE YOUNG.

I MEAN, IT'S A HARD -- HARD ON YOUR BODY TYPE ACTIVITY.

SO IT LEAVES A LOT OF WIDOW, WIDOWERS OUT THERE.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE SHOSHONE COUNTY AND THEY'VE LIVED THERE 50, 60, 70 YEARS.

>> SURE.

SURE.

AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN GOODING COUNTY?

>> OVER THE PAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS, WE'VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VALUATION.

AND IT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE'RE A LITTLE BIT OF A BEDROOM COMMUNITY OF TWIN, AND SO AS PEOPLE WOULD GET PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET IN TWIN FALLS, THEN THEY WOULD START COMING TO THE SATELLITE COUNTIES.

AND THAT WAS HOW THINGS SORTED STARTED.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, I WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT PROPERTY VALUES WOULD CRASH, BECAUSE I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE CAN'T GET LOANS.

THE ECONOMY IS SHUT DOWN.

I -- WAS 100% WRONG.

AND WE SAW EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE HATCH, THAT -- HAPPEN, THAT IT'S A CONCEPT CALLED ZOOM TOWN, WHERE A LOT OF -- PEOPLE THAT ARE NO LONGER TIED TO A PHYSICAL WORK SPACE START SEARCHING FOR OTHER PLACES.

AND SOMETHING LIKE THE HAGGERMAN VALLEY THEN GETS DISCOVERED AND WE'VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VALUATION AND WE JUST STARTED TO TRACK WHERE PEOPLE WERE COMING FROM, BECAUSE WE ALL WANT TO BLAME CALIFORNIANS, BUT THAT REPRESENTS ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE MOVING INTO GOODING COUNTY.

AND THEN ABOUT A THIRD ARE COMING FROM ADA COUNTY.

AND SO I THINK THAT IN RURAL IDAHO, WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THIS DISTORTION INCREASE IN VAL -- DISPUSH PORTION INCREASE THAT WE'RE NOT PREPARED FOR BECAUSE OF MIGRATION FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE MIGHT BE ASKING FOR HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS THIS YEAR?

>> NOT YET.

WITH THE PASSAGE OF 380, THAT'S WHAT PUT THE -- 125% VALUATION CAP, 125% OF THE MEDIAN HOME VALUE, VALUE WAITION CAP ON THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM.

AND SO THIS -- THIS IS A CREATED CRISIS.

AND I CAN'T ACCURATELY PREDICT HOW MANY WILL APPLY FOR HARDSHIP BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE WERE BEING KICKED OFF OF THE SIR KET BREAKER, THE -- SIR KET -- CIRCUIT BREAKER T PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION BEFORE.

AND IN GOODING WITHOUT -- LAST YEAR WE HAD 380.

AND 57 WOULD NOT MAKE -- IT'S ABOUT 15%, WOULD NOT MAKE THE 125.

>> AND THAT THAT WAS HOUSE BILL 389 PASSED LAST YEAR THAT WAS THE CONTROVERSIAL PROPERTY TAX -- A LOT OF PROVISIONS IN THAT BILL.

>> YES.

>> SO ABOUT 15% OF PEOPLE, IF THAT STAYS IN PLACE.

>> UH-HUH.

>> WOULD BE KICKED OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE IN YOUR COUNTY WOULD BE KICKED OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAK FER THIS STAYS IN PLACE?

>> I DO.

IN SHOSHONE COUNTY, BECAUSE WE'RE A SMALL COUNTY, I WAIT THE COUNTER ALONG WITH MY GREAT STAFF.

AND BEING A SMALL COUNTY, I KNOW THE MAJORITY OF THESE PEOPLE.

THE 647 WE WOULD HAVE 91 THAT WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM AT THE CURRENT LEVEL.

SO -- AND 44 OF THOSE ARE EITHER WIDOW OR WIDOWERS WITH A SINGLE INCOME.

SO -- >> WHEN YOU'RE INTERACTING WITH SOME OF THESE FOLKS WHO ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE THESE CHANGES, ARE THERE ANY STORIES THAT YOU'RE HEARING OR SITUATIONS THAT YOU'RE HEARING THAT REALLY STAND OUT TO YOU?

>> I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNED.

I MEAN, THERE'S -- THESE ARE -- FOR THE MOST PART, LONG-TERM IDAHO RESIDENTS WHO -- THEY'VE BEEN HERE THEIR ENTIRE LIFE AND TO SOME DEGREE, THEY'RE THE FOUNDATION OR STATE WAS BUILT ON.

YOU CAN'T LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY WITHOUT LOOKING BACKWARDS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE STONES THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I BELIEVE IS DISAPPOINTING ABOUT -- ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THE 125% CAP.

IS THAT THE VALUATION CHANGES ARE NOT THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM IT.

>> MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, FOR INSTANCE, PAULINE, GREAT LADY, WORKED HARD HER WHOLE LIFE.

HER AND HER HUSBAND.

WHEN FRANK WAS WORKING AT THE MINE, HE MADE REALLY GOOD MONEY.

FOR THE WORK THEY DO, I DON'T THINK IT WAS THAT GOOD OF MONEY, BUT FOR -- SO THEY BUILT A NICE HOME.

AND THEY LIVED IN THAT HOME MANY YEARS.

SO FRANK PASSED AWAY, LEAVING HER WITH A SINGLE INCOME.

AND HER HOME IS IN THAT BRACKET.

SHE MAKES -- AFTER MED EX -- MEDICAL EXPENSES, 22,000 SO SHE GETS A BENEFIT TO HELP HER WITH THE PROPERTY TAX.

IT'S -- AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CALLED THAT AN ASSET, THAT REALLY UPSETS ME, BECAUSE THESE ARE THESE PEOPLE'S HOME.

THEY DON'T CONSIDER AN ASSET.

THEY DON'T CARE WHETHER THAT HOME IS WORTH 50,000 OR FIVE MILLION.

THIS IS A HOME THEY WANT TO LIVE IN.

THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

AND THEN I HAVE A COUSIN THAT'S IN THE SAME BOAT.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT ARE IN THAT BOAT THAT THEY DEPEND ON THIS PROGRAM.

IT'S -- CANNOT THANK THE STATE ENOUGH FOR HAVING THIS PROGRAM FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.

THE 647, I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT HALF OF THEM WOULD NOT BE IN THEIR HOMES WITHOUT IT.

SO THAT 125% WOULD AFFECT THOSE 91 PEOPLE.

NOW, IF THEY WOULD RAISE THAT UP TO 150%, THAT WOULD AFFECT -- WE'D STILL HAVE 45 THAT WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

AND THERE WAS A HOUSE -- THERE WAS A BILL INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHEPPED -- SHEPRD FOR THAT, ALSO WITH A 300,000, WHICHEVER WAS GREATER, THEY WOULD BE EXCLUDED.

7% OF THE PROGRAM WERE WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS.

IF THEY RAISED THAT UP TO 200%, THAT SENATOR BAYER INTRODUCED, WE WOULD -- IT WOULD LEAVE EIGHT PEOPLE OFF THE PROGRAM.

>> ONE THING WE'RE SEEING IS A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER KICKED OFF FROM SMALLER, MORE RURAL COUNTIES AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE NATURE OF AVERAGES.

SOME PLACE LIKE ADA COUNTY, WHEN THE AVERAGE IS BASED ON ALL PROPERTIES THAT QUALIFY FOR HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION.

SO IF YOU'RE IN A COUNTY WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE PROPERTIES THAT QUALIFY ESECIAL SPECIAL ON THE -- ESPECIALLY ON THE UPPER END, THEN YOU'RE AVERAGE IS HIGHER.

LEWIS COUNTY IS LOSING ALMOST 20%.

>> YES.

>> OF THEIR CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND THE REASON IS BECAUSE THE TOP VALUES AND THE LOWEST VALUES ARE NOT THAT FAR APART.

AND SO THE SITUATION IS THAT IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY ON ONE ACRE IN A -- LIKE A NEWER MANUFACTURED HOME IN THE COUNTY, THEY'RE GETTING ABOVE THAT 125% BECAUSE THE MEDIAN VALUE IS SO LOW BECAUSE THE TOP IS SO LOW.

SO I THINK THAT THIS DEFINITELY DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS THE SMALLER AND THE MORE RURAL COUNTIES.

>> AND THIS IS ASSUMING THAT THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR STAYS IN PLACE AS IS.

THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE SEE THAT.

FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE LAWMAKERS DO?

>> MYSELF, I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT.

THEY WOULD -- YOU KNOW, IT NEEDS TO BE -- NUMBER I PREFER IS 200% OF MEDIAN VALUE.

AND THAT -- INTENT OF THE LAW WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE WAS GAMING THE SYSTEM.

AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I MEAN, ANY SYSTEM LIKE THIS, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

AND SO IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GAINING THE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE THAT THERE IS A LIMIT.

BUT THE 125% AS A LIMIT IS MUCH TOO LOW.

I WOULD PREFER TO SEE 200%.

AND IT'S -- GO AHEAD.

>> I'D LOVE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I WOULD LOVE NOT TO SEE ANY PERCENTAGE.

BUT THE 200% WOULD GET US THERE.

I THINK THE REASONING FOR THIS, JUSTIN, AND HIM BEING OUR LEGISLATIVE CHAIR, WAS THAT PEOPLE WOULD SELL OUT IN OTHER AREAS FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I MEAN, IT WOULDN'T BE UNREASONABLE TO SEE A HOME SELL IN SAN DIEGO FOR A MILLION DOLLARS, HAVE THOSE PEOPLE MOVE HERE AND BUY A $500,000 HOME AND PUT $500,000 IN THE BANK.

SO AS PEOPLE -- THOSE PEOPLE CAN AND SHOULD PAY FOR THEIR PROPERTY TAX WITHOUT A BENEFIT.

>> TO SEE MY FULL CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ASSESSORS, VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT YOUTUBE.COM/IDAHO REPORTS.

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE COVERAGE AND SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER FOR A ROUNDUP OF OUR WORK EVERY FRIDAY.

YOU'LL FIND THOSE LINKS AT OUR WICKS.

>>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL -- WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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