Federal Public Land at risk again!

[wowzers]

As the recent state tax cuts really start to bite and the school districts keep voting down levies, you are going to see more of this. A large portion of Idaho school revenue comes from Idaho Endowment Land. That land is mandated by the state constitution to return the maximum financial return to the state. I'm not saying I agree with it, but that's how it's written.

I don’t think a lot of people here realize that. They also can’t currently sell state timberlands.

I get it to a point, except: 1) Idaho operates in the black so there is no deficit., 2) school levies are done at the county, not state level, so this is an apples versus oranges comparison, and 3) there are no limitations that I am aware of on what "maximizing financial return" means. Does building a high rise apartment, mall, or prison fit the bill?

Until now where they are predicting an almost $60M deficit which is in violation of the state constitution.

State leaders: Idaho must implement spending cuts as it stares down forecasted shortfall

BOISE — In their preview of the upcoming legislative session, state policy leaders made clear this week that their task will be implementing spending reductions as they grapple with tax

www.idahopress.com

 

[Customweld]

I get it to a point, except: 1) Idaho operates in the black so there is no deficit., 2) school levies are done at the county, not state level, so this is an apples versus oranges comparison, and 3) there are no limitations that I am aware of on what "maximizing financial return" means. Does building a high rise apartment, mall, or prison fit the bill?

No deficit yet… that’s coming next FY.
School levies are indeed conducted at the county or district level but most funding comes from the state. In fact, I think education may be the highest single line item in Idaho’s budget.
As for maximum return, you’d have to check with the land board and see what their definition is.