Basics of School Finance—Why is Now the Time for a School Bond?

As a vote on the school bond for a new elementary school for Oneida County draws nearer, the Enterprise is running a series of articles covering come of the major issues that have so far been raised about the new project. Last week, we covered the stated reasons for the need for a new school building. In coming weeks, we plan to cover the reason for an auditorium not being included in this bond, the proposed building layout and safety features, the choice of location, and other issues that should inform voter decisions. This week, we will take a look at why this specific year is a rare opportunity to take advantage of available state funding for the project, which may not soon be repeated.

Combined with funds from a large enrollment at IHLA and the state bond equalization process, the Oneida School District has the chance to fund a new school without increasing taxes to anyone in the county. Recent publications about the current proposed school bond state that a bond must be passed in order for the District to qualify for partial funding of the new school under the State Bond Equalization program.

What Is the State Bond Equalization Program?

From the time Idaho became a state in 1890, education has been important to its citizens and the State Legislature. The State Constitution states in Article IX Section 1: “The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

Property taxes became the state’s method for financing schools. Over time, the difference in property values among Idaho’s 117 school districts resulted in vast differences in the ability of communities to finance the building of new schools. Property-rich districts easily passed bonds to finance

Prime minister Fumio Kishida delivered an address to the country of Japan in which he expressed the belief that if the birth rate is not increased soon, many social functions of the country would become difficult or impossible. Japan is often cited as having the lowest birthrate in the world, at roughly 800,000 births a year. This is coupled with the fact that Japan also has one of the lowest mortality rates. The country also sees 1 in 1,500 live to over 100 years. The disparity in younger people to replace older workers has led to employee shortages in many sectors of the economy.

Idaho bill seeks to slow lobbyists

Members of the Idaho Legislature’s State House Affairs Committee recently put forward a bill that would require a “waiting period” for former legislators to become lobbyists. If the bill were to go into effect, it would prevent elected officials and members of the executive branch from returning to the Legislature in the capacity of lobbying until the next legislative session, or six months had passed. Similar bills exist at the national level and in many other states, with the intention of stopping the “revolving door” of paid lobbying.

Eggs join banned items coming over the border

As the price of eggs has skyrocketed over the last several months, border officials are interdicting them more frequently at the Mexican border. While so far officials have not discovered any major smuggling operations related to the commodity, they are seeing increasing seizures of eggs from individuals hoping to save or make some money on them. The problem is that as an agricultural product eggs are regulated for the potential transmission of bird flu and other diseases, and therefore not permitted directly across the border without inspection. The average fine for transporting contraband eggs is $300, or 37 dozen eggs at their current price.

Idaho gas prices below national average

After a year during which gas prices in Idaho have outpaced the national average, January marks the first time the per gallon average price in the state ($3.39) is below the national average price ($3.46). The last time Idaho was below the national average was February of 2022, almost a year ago.