Local option taxes

Jordan spoke at length about the importance of local control and the state respecting the authority of bodies such as county commissions and city councils.

She said she supports proposals to allow non-resort cities and counties to introduce local option sales taxes, which would let residents vote on whether to implement temporary taxes to fund special local projects.

There are only a handful of cities in Idaho that are currently able to utilize these kinds of taxes, but Sen. Lee Heider of Twin Falls said recently that he is prepared to carry a bill that would let non-resort cities and counties implement them.

Campaign controversies

Jordan also addressed some recent controversies around her campaign, saying she stood by her criticisms of an Idaho Statesman article last month about sudden staff resignations and the campaign’s ties to a super PAC.

“I’m not holding a grudge,” Jordan said, adding that she would like the paper to retract the article but did not expect a retraction. “The Statesman has great people, but they got this one wrong.”