Copyright Lewiston Morning Tribune
JEERS ... to Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, both R-Idaho. Given the opportunity to work for Idaho consumers, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers and business owners — or bend the knee to President Donald Trump — they chose to bend the knee. Three times this week, they had the chance to stop Trump’s trade tariffs in their tracks. Three times, they refused to do so. At issue is Trump’s insistence that by declaring an emergency, he can circumvent Article I of the Constitution, which clearly gives Congress the “power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises ... (and) to regulate commerce with foreign nations. ...” As such, Trump has unilaterally unleashed economic chaos as he imposes, expands and reduces trade tariffs at his own whim Tuesday, five Republican senators — Susan Collins, of Maine, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, and Thom Tillis, of North Carolina joined Democrats to terminate the national emergency declaration that Trump used to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil. Although the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus with Brazil, Trump doesn’t like the way that country is prosecuting its former President Jair Bolsonaro for attempting a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat. While Tillis defected on the next two votes, the four remaining Republicans have helped pass: By a 50-46 margin Wednesday, terminating the national emergency Trump used to place import taxes on Canada, including the recent 10% boost imposed this month because the president bristled at an ad reminding Canadians how much Ronald Reagan disliked tariffs. By a 51-46 margin Thursday, terminating the national emergency declaration employed to justify all of Trump’s tariffs. Contrary to Trump’s assertion, a trade imbalance does not constitute an emergency. Why would Risch and Crapo disagree? Set aside the inflationary hit tariffs will impose on their economically stressed constituents. Trade wars are disrupting markets for ag producers. They are driving up the cost for everything from fertilizer to machinery. And Trump’s plan to import cheaper beef from Argentina will undermine prices for Idaho ranchers. If nothing else, you’d think betraying Idaho’s bedrock Republican community of businesses and agricultural producers would be one red line Risch and Crapo would be unwilling to cross. But they’re not alone. Back in September, Idaho Congressmen Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, both Republicans, delivered the 213-211 majority needed to block any House challenge to Trump’s tariffs until March 31. Because three Republicans — Kevin Kiley, of California, Thomas Massie, of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz, of Indiana — broke ranks, every vote mattered. Had either Fulcher or Simpson demonstrated a scintilla of independence, the measure would have failed on a tie. So don’t expect House action on the Senate measures anytime soon. Talk about neglecting Idaho’s best interests. Who are these people working for? CHEERS ... to Norma Staaf, of Grangeville. At about the same time 75 to 100 people introduced a No Kings rally to this Idaho County community earlier this month, Staaf helped instigate a message of independence and inclusion. Inspired in part by former West Ada School District middle school teacher Sarah Inama’s attempt to post this value in her classroom, Staaf arranged for a billboard to display “Everyone is Welcome Here.” Staaf helped raise funds to pay for the sign, then secured permission to use the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights’ artwork and name. “I saw that and I thought, ‘Wow, that would make such a good billboard,’ ” Staaf told Treydon Baylor, a freelance writer for the Lewiston Tribune. Word about the sign triggered buzz and more donations so Staaf was able to pay for a second “Everyone is Welcome Here” sign in Lewiston, which could remain up for at least three months. “I’ve been amazed at how many people this message has resonated with across the state and even with people in other states,” Staaf said. “I am hoping that (the message) will continue to inspire others to just take small actions where they are. It doesn’t have to be a statewide multi-thousand dollar thing, it can just be a few friends having a message or having some kind of action to spread a good message.” JEERS ... to Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star. If you think the property taxes on your house are bad now, just wait. They’re probably going to get worse and for that, you can thank Moyle, who has helped engineer shifting the property tax burden onto Idaho’s homeowners. The one thing protecting homeowners from the effects of a real estate market imbalance — prices for homes are rising while the value of nonresidential property is stagnating — is the voter-passed Homestead Exemption. It’s supposed to shield half the value of a modest home from taxation. But the GOP-leg Legislature capped its maximum benefit nearly a decade ago. Years of inflation have taken their toll. That, you already know. Here’s what’s new: The tax break now has officially lost more than half of its value. As the Idaho State Tax Commission noted this month, adjusted for inflation, the exemption’s maximum benefit could reach $251,503 when next year’s assessments come out. Instead, it’s stuck at $125,000 — which means homeowners are paying a disproportionate share of property taxes while non-homeowners are enjoying a windfall. Without Moyle’s interference, an inflation-adjusted Homestead Exemption would provide maximum coverage for about 86% of owner-occupied homes in Nez Perce County. As of now, it will fully protect fewer than a third. Does that give you heartburn? Contact your legislators.— M.T.
