Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman issued the following statement in response to Gov. Brad Little’s property tax relief proposal: 

“In April, the Idaho Freedom Foundation urged Gov. Brad Little to use federal CARES Act dollars to provide property tax relief to Idahoans in response to Covid-19. Earlier today, he adopted that recommendation, which represents a step in the right direction. 

“We thank the governor for his action, and we urge cities and counties to take part in the property tax relief program.

“However, both local officials and state legislators need to do more. By directing money toward costs for local government first responders, cities and counties have little incentive to cut costs in an area in which expenses have been run up over the years. This has occurred through collective bargaining agreements, built-in annual pay increases, pension expenses, and health insurance. 

“It’s worrisome those expenses will be added to local government base budgets next year, cementing the need for real property tax reform as we get closer to 2021. The governor’s actions represent a good start, but it only compounds the need to provide additional property tax solutions in the months ahead.”