Idaho Lawmakers Take a Bite Out of Girl Scouts' Cookie Revenue
Girl Scouts across the country learn money management skills from their annual cookies sales, but this year a group in Idaho can add civic action to that list, after lawmakers blocked a bill that would have exempted them from paying sales tax on their annual cookie fundraiser.
For each box of cookies sold, Idaho Girl Scouts will have to hand over 22 cents to the state - taking a $150,000 bite out of the revenue that would otherwise be used for troop activities.
Julie Hart, a volunteer lobbyist, took the girls to the capital before a tax hearing to educate them on the process. While they were there, the Girl Scouts gave hand-written notes and Thin Mints to lawmakers, explaining their case.
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The state's House of Representatives voted to abolish the tax, but then a group of state senators blocked it, refusing to entertain any tax exemptions, even for the non-profit Girl Scouts.
"The issue is, how many exemptions do we get?" said State Sen. Jim Patrick, who is supporting the Girl Scouts. He called the decision "a lot of pressure."
Although the outcome wasn't what the Girl Scouts hoped for, a fourth year scout named Hailey told ABC News they planned to try again next year.
"We are going to keep on going to get this law passed," she said.