JFAC has voted unanimously, 18-0, in favor of the proposed budget for the state Tax Commission from Reps. Wendy Jaquet and Darrell Bolz, which includes a boost in both permanent and temporary staffers in the audits and collections division, both to make up cuts from the past year and to add auditors to bring in more state tax revenue. Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, said he was wary, but supported the plan. "I question really the return on investment," he said. "I would ask the Tax Commission to be very precise and very accurate in separating the information that will show what the additional cost of this investment is going to be, and what the actual return on this investment will be."

Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, questioned whether there's any "science" behind the high expected returns, and legislative budget analyst Ray Houston said there is. Expected returns are higher for permanent staffing additions than for temps, he noted; the state has a track record showing how much collections have increased from past investments in additional auditors. Jaquet said, "They are doing very well right now with the $1.5 million," which Gov. Butch Otter transferred to the Tax Commission for that purpose this year from the budget stabilization fund. The commission is on track to exceed the goal of $10 million in additional collections. "We think that they'll be able to do it. It was not nearly what they wanted, and it's one-time - we felt like we were really holding them accountable," Jaquet said.

Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, said, "You can create an overzealous employee. ... I just want to make sure it's fair. I want the reporting, I think that's necessary. But I want to make sure that the intention is not to go out and just make claims everywhere to show you're performing your job." JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, responded, "So noted."