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Idaho Supreme Court to hear grocery tax bill veto challenge arguments

Posted at 11:24 AM, Jun 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-14 13:32:39-04

Proponents of a lawsuit challenging Governor "Butch" Otter's veto of a contentious grocery tax repeal bill will soon present arguments in front of the Idaho Supreme Court.

The state's highest court scheduled oral arguments for the case Thursday.

State GOP Reps. Ron Nate and Bryan Zollinger, both from eastern Idaho, spearheaded a lawsuit in April arguing that the Idaho Constitution says a governor has 10-days to veto a bill immediately after the Legislature adjourns.

However, Idaho's top lawmakers disagree, saying that the Idaho Supreme Court has already ruled that the deadline kicks in when the governor receives the bill.

The lawsuit was filed after Otter vetoed legislation that would have repealed the state's six percent sales tax on groceries. Otter vetoed the legislation eleven days after the Legislature adjourned.

(by Associated Press)