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REPUBLICANS ROCK THE GEM STATE!

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

TEXT PREVIOUSLY ON THE FRONT PAGE

I WANT TO SHARE THE FOLLOWING EMAIL BURST FROM LARRY YOUNG (NO RELATION, BUT I WOULD NOT MIND IF WE WERE)...Dan

Good morning folks,

The following relevant comments from this morning's Idaho Values Alliance update represent an overview of Governor Otter's statements made yesterday regarding his focus on property tax reform in the coming legislative session. ICTR is thrilled to know that the Governor plans to throw his support behind this issue. The promise of his support should also encourage legislative representatives (Eskridge, Anderson, Keough, Broadsword and others) to fight even harder for reform in this coming session.

As requested by IVA, please take the time over the next few days to place a phone call to Governor Otter's office (phone number is provided) to thank him for his position and encourage him to stay the course in this endeavor. It would also be appropriate to place such a call or send an email to our state legislative representatives as well letting them know that you support reform for our property taxes in Idaho. Additionally, tell others about this pending opportunity for tax reform and encourage them to make phone calls and send emails on this subject. Everyone will benefit from such change but change will only occur if we are involved to make it happen.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to be involved.

Larry Young
Co-Chair, Idaho Citizens for Tax Reform

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IVA SUPPORTS OTTER ON PROPERTY TAX, OPPOSES ON GROCERY TAX

Governor Butch Otter revealed yesterday that one of his priorities for the next session of the Idaho legislature is to slow the runaway escalation of property taxes by limiting the growth of a home's assessed value to the rate of inflation.

The IVA fully supports the governor's sensible and family-friendly stance. Providing shelter is obviously among the highest priorities Idaho families have, and they are currently subject to the vagaries of unpredictable rises in their property tax burden, which can stress already-tight budgets.

Some members of the IVA have essentially been forced out of homes they worked a lifetime to pay for because they eventually paid more per year in property taxes than they ever paid for their mortgages.

By limiting the growth of assessed value to inflation, families will be able to stabilize their family budgets, and Idaho families considering the purchase of a home can make a reasonable estimate of their property tax load in the future.

An added benefit is that the limitation will add to community stability by making it attractive for happy homeowners to stay put and improve the livability of their homes and neighborhoods.

Sen. Brent Hill unwittingly acknowledged the neighborhood-stability effects of the proposal by pointing out that people who move around will wind up paying more in property taxes than those who settle down in one place.

Please call the governor's office at 334-2100 with a simple message: "Please let the governor know I support his plan for property tax relief." He's getting significant opposition from lawmakers, so he needs to hear from ordinary Idahoans today.

The governor also intends to renew his effort to expand the grocery tax credit - for which he is to be commended - but unfortunately hopes to restrict it to lower income families. The IVA's position is that the tax on food should be eliminated altogether, either through a grocery tax credit for all families or through a repeal of the sales tax on groceries, since, as Rep. Phil Hart says, a tax on food is essentially a tax on our right to live.

Extending the tax break to all Idaho families, not just to some, is simply a matter of fairness. As House Majority Leader Mike Moyle said, "We're all Idahoans and we ought to all be treated the same."

The governor declared that wealthier Idahoans don't "need" the tax break. But tax policy should be based on fairness rather than ability to pay, and simple fairness suggests that all families should be exempt from what amounts to a tax on our freedom to eat.

(Imagine shopping for a car, asking how much a particular model costs, and being told, "Well, it all depends on how much you make. We'll charge you more for this model if we find out you make too much money." Plus, who will decide the income level at which Idahoans suddenly don't "need" tax relief, and how are they going to decide what that figure ought to be?)

Perhaps wealthier Idahoans who don't "need" the grocery tax relief can be encouraged to donate the amount they would otherwise pay annually to a food bank or charity of their choice.

The governor also expressed caution about raising taxes to pay for improved roads until he can be assured of increased efficiency in the Idaho Department of Transportation. A reluctance to raise taxes makes good sense in light of the fact that the state is currently sitting on $658 million in surplus funds.

Otter says transportation, property tax reform are priorities for 2008

US CONGRESSMAN BILL SALI

SANDPOINT 08/08/2007

U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL SALI HOSTED A NOON LUNCHEON AT THE SANDPOINT ELKS CLUB ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2007. TICKETS WERE $25 PER PERSON OR $40 PER COUPLE. IT WAS A GREAT VISIT AND A PERSONAL Q & A SESSION WITH A SITTING CONGRESSMAN. WE APPRECIATED HIS PRESENCE IN SANDPOINT AND BONNER COUNTY. THE COFFEE IN BONNERS FERRY AND THE TERRIFIC PRIEST RIVER GATHERING PUT TOGETHER BY COMMISSIONER JOE YOUNG AND HIS WIFE MARY.

PARTY TIME! ATTENTION VETERANS, PATRIOTIC AMERICANS, AND PILOTS! THE FOLLOWING IS A MESSAGE ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME OF THE COEUR D ALENE AIRPORT TO HONOR A FAMOUS AMERICAN PILOT AND MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER - PAPPY BOYINGTON! PLEASE READ AND ADD YOUR EMAIL AND VOICE TO THIS LONG TIME EFFORT. AS A 13 YEAR VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, A PILOT, AND A CIVIC LEADER; I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT AND I HOPE YOU WILL TOO: We need your help. The Marines and the Northwest Chapter of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society have been trying to rename Couer d'Alene airport from Couer d'Alene airport to Couer d'Alene Airport, Pappy Boyington Field. According to the airport management, pilots are not smart enough to know the difference between pappy boyington field and Boeing field 300 miles west. The commissioners vote on Tuesday and we need your help. Forward this email
to every pilot friend or friend of a pilot and ask them to forward it to their friends and also send it to the ommissioners. The Kootenai County Commissioners contacts are: 208) 446-1000 Email: kcinfo@kcgov.us With Every Good Wish....Allan G Hagelthorn 509.456.5906 1016 W 11th Ave, Spokane, WA. 99204

Boyington name could cause safety problems
Posted: Monday, Jul 23, 2007 - 10:43:14 pm PDT
By TOM GREENE
Staff writer
Commissioners told length of name could cause pilot confusion
COEUR d'ALENE -- County commissioners were told the reason the airport board is against modifying its name to include war hero Pappy Boyington's name is because it is, mostly, a safety issue. During the Kootenai County commissioners agenda meeting Monday, several members of the airport advisory board defended its unanimous decision against the name change being promoted by local veterans. Greg Delavan, airport manager, said for pilots, a simple and descriptive name lowers the chances of confusion when they are in the air. "Anything beyond that could be considered a safety issue," Delavan said. Commissioner Rick Currie responded "It's already a safety issue in my opinion." In June, the Pappy Boyington Detachment 966 of the Marine Corps League made a proposal to the commissioners to add to the existing name of "Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal" to read "Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal -- Pappy Boyington Field." The Marines pushed for the name change two years ago, but the decision bounced between the commissioners to the airport board and now back to the commissioners. Veterans say honoring Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, who was born in Coeur d'Alene and won both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his service in World War II, is critical to keeping history relevant for the next generation. Airport Advisory Board Chairman John Adams said there are more appropriate ways to honor veterans, including setting aside parks named after war heroes in a way that "wouldn't be limited to Pappy Boyington." He also said a name change would negatively affect businesses associated with the airport. "Anytime you have a name change there is an identity issue for years to come," Adams said. "We think that changing the name of the Coeur d'Alene airport would definitely be a mistake." Commissioner Todd Tondee said he understood how it could be a safety issue, but his initial response from the Federal Aviation Administration was that
the agency's opinion was that two pilots calling the same airport a different name was not an issue. He said he did not see how "adding this tag would be such a deterrent to the businesses and safety." Tondee said he has since contacted the FAA to request its opinion. Commissioner Rich Piazza agreed with Tondee. "I don't see the big problem in all this," Piazza said. Currie said he relied on the airport board's experience on issues such as safety. "I'm not a pilot. This is one of the reasons we have an airport board," Currie said. Commissioners set a July 31 meeting at 2 p.m. in the county building to discuss the name change. "We'll talk about it and try to make a decision," Piazza said. AND THAT IS THE ARTICLE SO IN THE MEANTIME ... In the meantime, there is much to do and if you would like to volunteer an hour or two a month to work on our shared issues and concerns in the 5 northern counties you can call me anytime at 208)290-2249. If you want to be more involved, email me at DYoung6962@aol.com and I will help you over commit yourself (smiling). I moved the Inaugural stuff to a different page, the photo albums are still on the left of your screen.

God Bless Idaho,
Bashful Dan
Sandpoint

PARTY TIME! The State Central Committee Meeting was held June 2, 2007 in Burley, Idaho. The headlines for me were the members voting to close the Republican primary and that the dates Bonner County proposed and planned for the 2008 State GOP Convention were confirmed at the State Central Committee Executive Board meeting on Friday, June 1, 2007. The highlight of the trip was being able to accompany Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna, while he visited two education facilities on the way to Burley from Boise. Senator Craig provided a message on DVD and Sandy Patano represented him in person. Jake Ball represented Senator Crapo. US Congressman Bill Sali took a seat next to me in the Guest Gallery along with Jake and Sandy. US Congressman Mike Simpson attended and joined us in the Guest Gallery. Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch and his wife Vicki attended and former Governor Risch addressed the gathering. State GOP Chairman J. Kirk Sullivan spoke about the need for better two way communication between GOP Headquarters and the County Central Committees. There was a terrific pitch made by the Republican Woman's Group. Many people had to depart before all the voting was completed and there was no 2008 Convention Update given although it was on the agenda. My guess is that Bonner County will provide updates to GOP Headquarters and that will be passed along to the members. In the meantime, there is much to do and if you would like to volunteer an hour or two a month to work on our shared issues and concerns in the 5 northern counties you can call me anytime at 208)290-2249. If you want to be more involved, email me at DYoung6962@aol.com and I will help you over commit yourself (smiling). I moved the Inaugural stuff to a different page, the photo albums are still on the left of your screen. God Bless Idaho, Bashful Dan Sandpoint!

RALLY IN THE VALLEY 2008!