BOISE, Idaho — A new Idaho bill would withhold tax money from local governments that defy the state’s abortion ban.
If local officials fail to enforce felony statutes, “we’re going to end up like Portland or Seattle, in anarchy,” bill sponsor Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, told the House State Affairs Committee, which voted to introduce the legislation Wednesday.
The bill would direct the Idaho State Tax Commission to withhold sales and use taxes owed to a city or county government if local officials declare that they won’t enforce Idaho’s criminal abortion statutes. The tax commission collects sales and use taxes before distributing them to local governments.
