About Us

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We are a new organization of Idaho citizens compelled to find others who, like us, are concerned about our common future.

We seek a state revenue system that is fair to all economic groups AND generates the currently-missing state funds needed to more adequately fund the public education we need for our family security, economic growth and informed self-governance.

The organization follows three years of studies on Idaho’s state tax structure and its impacts on the funding of public education, assembled by members of the League of Women Voters of Idaho.

In order to accomplish the goal of enabling a revenue stream that ensures adequate funding for public education, Fair Share Idaho is spearheading a statewide ballot initiative that directly asks citizens to mandate the changes in existing tax code needed to create such a stream without requiring any participation by elected officials.

To move forward with a citizen-led ballot initiative, the state requires that a “political action committee” be formed and registered with the state. Fair Share Idaho is that committee.

The hard work now begins.

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Facts and Data

Average sales tax rate of Idaho and 6 surrounding states = 4.01%

Sales tax revenue lost to special interest exemptions is now GREATER than sales taxes collected.

1965 sales tax rate = 3% (17 exemptions)

2015 sales tax rate = 6% (more than 100 exemptions)

State spending on schools (FY2015) = $1.4 Billion

Idaho Tax Expenditures/Breaks = $2.4 Billion

Idaho’s revenue cuts = “$500 million less to invest each year in education, health care, public safety....”

Idaho ranks 49th in average state and local revenue provided per pupil.

In Idaho, more than 40 school districts operated on 4-day school weeks in 2014.

“The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”
(Idaho Constitution, Article IX)

In 2014, the Idaho Lottery contributed less than 2% of the state’s appropriation for education.

In Idaho, low-income families pay 8.2% of their income in taxes, while high-income families pay 6.5%.

School funding share of total state spending:
1990s = 34.1%
2012 = 26%

Idaho’s K-12 state funding is down 16% since 2008, including inflation.

Nationally, Idaho received D- grade for school finance.

Thank You for supporting Idaho's children!

(Paid for by Fair Share Idaho, Corliss Neuber, Treasurer, 208.488.2070)