Idaho Gov. Otter Supports Pulling Personal Property Tax

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he'll promote repealing Idaho's $141 million personal property tax starting next week, calling a phase-out a possibility if local governments that now depend on the money aren't hung out to dry. Otter made the comments Friday at the Associated Press' annual legislative preview at the Capitol.

He ordinarily avoids leaks ahead of his State of the State speech. So highlighting this issue suggests repeal has emerged as a significant part of Otter's agenda for the 2013 Legislature, starting Monday. Repeal has long been prized by Idaho's business community.

But Democratic lawmakers who spoke at Friday's AP event cautioned against shifting the cost onto other taxpayers. This would be Otter's second year of promoting tax breaks, after winning $36 million in income tax cuts in 2012.