Idaho Lawmakers Continue Reviewing Urban Renewal Laws

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers tasked with scrutinizing the state's urban renewal laws remain torn on what, if any, changes should be made to improve oversight on boards that helped lure major companies to Idaho.

The 10-member Urban Renewal Interim Committee met Monday to go over possible solutions, but held off from taking any action until November's meeting. The panel will submit their recommendation to the 2016 Idaho Legislature. Urban renewal agencies collect taxes from improvements in their municipal districts and use that money to attract and finance new projects.

Idaho has about 70 agencies in more than 20 counties. However, critics have argued that agencies operate under low accountability guidelines and steal tax dollars away from local government on projects that would have happened anyway.