09:57 AM MDT on Monday, July 10, 2006

KTVB.com

BOISE -- It's still unclear whether Idaho lawmakers will return to the Statehouse to address property tax relief this summer.

KTVB

Idaho Governor Jim Risch

But momentum is building and earlier this week, Governor Jim Risch asked Idaho lawmakers to keep August 25 open in case he decides to call a special session.

Risch emphasizes that he will not call a special session unless lawmakers can reach a consensus on a plan.

But just last week the governor announced that Idaho had nearly $200 million in extra cash, and Risch is in favor of using that money and a higher sales tax to give some property tax relief.

While no firm decision has been made, the governor says August 25 is a good tentative day. It is just a few days before the state mails out coupons to retailers asking for sales tax money.

The governor said the mailings could cost the state $45,000 to resend money that might be saved if lawmakers adjust the tax burden before mailing the coupons.

Also, an August 25 special session gives the secretary of state plenty of time to get an item on the November ballot if lawmakers decide to ask voters what they think about a tax shift.

"All those things just flat make sense, and frankly I've been talking about a date prior to Sept. 1 ever since I've been talking about this, so the August 25th kind of falls into place," said Risch.

Senator Brad Little said lawmakers are studying whether that $200 million surplus is an anomaly, or money the state government can depend on in the future. That could make a difference on how they decide to approach a tax relief plan.