Dennis Lake
Dennis Lake (b. October 5, 1937) is a former Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 28A from 1996 to 2012.
Lake graduated with his Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1959.
Lake is a retired cattle rancher.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Lake served on these committees:
- Agricultural Affairs
- Commerce and Human Resources
- Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee
- Joint Millennium Fund Committee, Co-Chair
- Revenue and Taxation, Chair
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Lake served on these committees:
- Agricultural Affairs
- Commerce and Human Resources
- Millennium Fund Committee, Idaho Legislature (Co-Chair)
- Revenue and Taxation (Chair)
Issues
Tobacco tax
Lake sits as the Chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. In November 2010, he said he would allow a hearing for a bill that would increase the tax on cigarettes in Idaho up to $1.50. Lake argued the bills are less a way to raise revenue for state programs and more as a tool to help combat smoking in Idaho.
At the time Lake made these announcements, the cigarette tax sat at 57 cents per pack, the eighth-lowest in the nation. While Lake said a boost in the tax will mean additional money for the state, he added that he is more concerned with promoting health and discouraging smoking than raising additional tax dollars.
"That’s why they are bringing the bill,” said Lake, referring to groups backing the bill. "What do they care about revenues? They are more interested in helping people."[1]
Lake suggested in March 2011 that he would propose a $1.25 per pack cigarette tax increase if the legislature did not make significant cuts in spending to close the state's $90 million budget deficit.[2] Ultimately, no such proposal materialized; Lake claimed the state made more spending cuts than he anticipated. He noted, however, that he would raise the issue again in 2012.[3]
Internet sales tax
Lake on Internet sales |
Lake said in late 2010 that he thinks the House Revenue and Taxation Committee could take steps to collect sales tax revenues on Internet sales. Idaho has considered joining the Streamlined Sales Tax Compact, a multi-state effort to simplify taxes in order to collect sales taxes on purchases from companies outside the state.
In 2009, the Idaho Senate passed the plan, before it stalled in the House. Lake said he think it would fare better this year.
Elections
2012
Lake did not run for re-election in 2012.
2010
Lake won re-election to District Seat 28A in 2010 against Democrat Marlene F. Shurtz. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary on May 25th. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[4]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 28A (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Dennis Lake (R)
|
7,487 | 68.7% | ||
| Marlene F. Shurtz (D) | 3,411 | 31.3% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Republican Dennis Lake won re-election to the Idaho House of Representatives District 28A receiving 11,379 votes. He ran unopposed.[5]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 28A (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Dennis Lake (R)
|
11,379 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Dennis is married to Luann Lake. They have four children and reside in Blackfoot, Idaho.
External links
- Idaho House of Representatives Members
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1998, 1996
Footnotes
- ↑ "Tax chairman Lake says ‘sin tax’ increase is about preventing smoking, not raising revenue," Idaho Reporter, December 1st, 2010
- ↑ Idaho Business Review, "Tax chairman: tobacco tax increase bill on hold, program cuts monitored," March 16, 2011
- ↑ IdahoReporter.com, "House GOP leaders cautious about tax increases next year," April 18, 2011
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2008 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Idaho House of Representatives District 28A 1996–2012 |
Succeeded by Ken Andrus (R) |
