Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, says his legislation to create an official state silver medallion that Idahoans could use to pay their state taxes could jump-start the state's economy. "There's a lot of interest in the state of Idaho right now for this kind of thing," Hart told the House State Affairs Committee this morning. His bill also would create income and property tax incentives for someone to set up a processing facility for silver in Idaho, and for processing of the "principal threat material" cell in the Bunker Hill Superfund site, which he said threatens to leak from its containment, a "giant plastic baggie," in the coming years and contains valuable materials. "I did talk to one company that would be interested in processing that," Hart said.

He introduced a silver medallion bill last year, but it didn't advance. Hart was joined today by Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, who told the committee, "This is a good bill, it's a good bill for our district for sure." He said, "This'd be good for Idaho, it'd be good for the economy and it'd be good for the state." Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Prichard, moved to introduce the bill, and the committee unanimously and enthusiastically agreed. Rep. Russ Mathews, R-Idaho Falls, said, "With our budget the way it is ... to seek opportunities when there's really true economic stimulus and job creation - this bill goes a long way toward doing those two things. .. I commend you two for your innovation and creativity in this area."