Rep. Lynn Luker's bill to end political campaign contributions from the state general fund passed the full House today on a vote of 64-1.  Rep. Donna Pence, D-Gooding was cast the sole vote against the plan.  If enacted, citizens will no longer be allowed to check off boxes on income taxes return that designate $1 from Idaho's general fund to be directed to political parties in the state.  The practice is unlike other standards contribution systems on the tax forms, which allow citizens to redirect $1 from their tax refund to be donated to charitable causes.

Luker, a Republican from Boise, said the bill has cost the state approximately $1.6 million since 1976.  The end of the check off box will allow the state to save about $35,000 a year, or, as Luker says, "one teacher a year who can stay on the payroll."

The legislation now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

Click here to read IdahoReporter.com's first story on the Luker proposal.