High priority on keeping lower individual tax rates
Q: Please identify which option comes closest to your philosophy on federal tax policy?
A: Taxes should be assessed at the lowest possible level to both adequately fund the federal government and encourage savings, investment and economic growth.
Q:
Would you vote to make permanent the lower individual tax rates enacted in 2001 and 2003, which benefit small businesses that pay the individual rate, without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?
A: Yes; this is one of my highest priorities.
Source: BIPAC 2008 Senate Candidate Questionnaire
Nov 1, 2008
Eliminate capital gains tax & estate tax
Q: Would you vote for the permanent repeal of the estate tax without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?
A: Yes.
Q: Would you vote to make permanent the current lower rates on dividend income from individuals without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?
Q: Would you vote to make permanent the current lower rates on individual capital gains income without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?
A: Yes.
Source: BIPAC 2008 Senate Candidate Questionnaire
Nov 1, 2008
I'll drop out if I got $53,000 in undisclosed tax relief
Jim Risch said he would drop out of the race if an accusation over property taxes made by challenger Larry LaRocco turned out to be true. The issue is whether Risch got $53,000 in tax relief last year.
LaRocco said, "When he was governor he passed
a property tax relief bill where he personally benefited at least $53,000, but he never disclosed it to the people of Idaho," said LaRocco.
"Well, if I got $53,000 out of that bill, I'll drop out of this race and if you're wrong you should do the
same," said Risch.
NewsChannel 7 took a look; we found 13 pieces of property that would fall under the 2006 tax relief umbrella. According to LaRocco's property valuation, Risch totaled $53,295 in tax breaks. But some of Risch's property falls under
Idaho's agricultural exemption which means it's used for farming or grazing--and that makes the property value much lower. Using the same math with the lower agriculture value numbers, Risch actually got a relief of little more than $5,000.
Q: Do you support or oppose the policy: "Make taxes more progressive"?
A: Support. My biggest priority is working to make the 2001/2003 tax cuts permanent.
Source: Email interview on 2008 Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Jun 8, 2008
Earned nickname "taxpayers friend" by fighting tax increases
As governor I called a special session of the legislature to put a stop to skyrocketing property tax increases. After years of effectively fighting tax increases in the state senate I have earned a name I am proud of "the taxpayers friend."
Source: Campaign website, www.Risch4Idaho.com, "Issues"
May 2, 2008
Phase out sales tax on groceries & food
Gov. Risch outlined his plan to remove the sales tax from food. Risch said removing the sales tax on groceries is the right thing to do. It is estimated that $100 is spent per Idahoan each year in sales tax on groceries. "This is something I worked
on when we lowered property taxes & increased the sales tax by a penny," said Risch. Risch's proposal calls for a phase out of the sales tax on groceries over a 6-year period. The net cost of the proposal would be $30 million for each of the next 6 years
Source: Press release, "Removing Sales Tax On Food"
Dec 13, 2006
