(Boise) -- Idahoans for Tax Reform chairman Laird Maxwell pointed out the fact that the Idaho State Senate's amendments to H275, the House passed tax cut bill, now gives taxpayers smaller ongoing tax relief than the total ongoing government employees pay increases.

"Under the Senate plan, 17,000 state government employees will get a better deal than all the Idaho taxpayers combined," said Maxwell.

The slashing amendments to H275, according to tax chairman Sen. Jerry Thorne's Floor debate, only equals $123 million total with $63.3 MILLION ONGOING.

On the other hand ... state government employees AND public school employees PLUS higher education salary enhancement PLUS benefits equal a whooping $84.1 MILLION ONGOING SALARY AND BENEFIT INCREASE.

Maxwell said even scratching away to look at the state government employee salary increases from only the General Fund, that impact is alone is $54.15 million.

"Obviously, all Idaho taxpayers combined are getting less than our state government employees when it comes on ongoing relief," said Maxwell. "The real problem is the elected Republican controlled Legislature with pressure from Governor Kempthorne have been BIG SPENDERS now voting for a 13.1% SPENDING INCREASE and 511 NEW GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES."

Maxwell said, "It is ironic, especially coming from 'Republicans,' that they reduce the size of tax cuts because of a slowing economy yet increase government spending by double-digits. Still, they have the votes pass a measure supporting President George W. Bush's tax reduction proposals which argues exactly opposite of what this Legislature is in the process of enacting. Will wonders never cease?"