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Bill for library, stadium vote advances to the full House

The bill would require Boise to hold a public vote in order to spend money on a new downtown library or stadium development.

BOISE, Idaho — A bill that would require Boise to hold a public vote in order to spend money on a new downtown library or stadium development is going to the Idaho House floor.

House Bill 217 would require 55 percent approval from voters for spending urban renewal money on construction or remodeling of municipal buildings that would come off the tax rolls -- whether they were owned by the city or operated under a lease agreement.

While the bill doesn't mention the city of Boise's proposed new downtown library or sports park by name -- the legislation adds "multipurpose sports stadium complex" to the types of buildings that would be subject to a public vote.

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And it would take effect immediately if signed into law.

The bill makes changes to the existing Local Economic Development Act referred to as LEDA by some speakers in Wednesday morning's hearing.

"LEDA is intended to incentivize development in blighted urban areas, by investing public funds in the infrastructure that support it,” said Boise resident Gary Richardson. “Recently, especially in Boise, LEDA is being used as a way of getting around constitutional requirement that voters approve long-term debt for local government projects."

"If a downtown ballpark is carefully located, with empty space around it, that's what's filled up by apartments, offices, condos, restaurants, and hotels," said Ray Stark, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.

"Why is Boise? Why is the chamber? Why are you guys so afraid of a vote? I don't understand why the vote scares you?" said Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star.

"What's the standard for an election? How often do you have them?” said Stark. “You can only have them twice a year? What's the topic? Do we elect our mayors, city councils to make decisions? We have here, and you have elsewhere in the state. That's the only answer I have right now Representative Moyle."

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The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted 14-to-2 to advance the bill to the full House.

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