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.

 

[Customweld]

Here is another thing I bet a lot of folks don’t know. We aren’t guaranteed access to Endowment Lands. Idaho Fish and Game pays the state of Idaho for access to those 2.3 million acres.
While most Idaho endowment lands have traditionally been open to the public, endowment lands are managed to provide revenue, typically from timber sales and grazing leases, to fund for public schools, universities and state hospitals.

Fish and Game’s payments to the Department of Lands ensure those lands remain open to public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other recreation. In other states, state-owned lands have been closed or leased to private parties for hunting access. Fish and Game renews the lease annually

 

[Brap01]

Fish and Game’s payments to the Department of Lands ensure those lands remain open to public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other recreation. In other states, state-owned lands have been closed or leased to private parties for hunting access. Fish and Game renews the lease annually

I think we're much more likely to lose access to state owned lands than to lose federal lands. Good idea to bring that up, very relevant.

 

[wowzers]

F&G also pays Potlatch a certain amount per acre for public access.