Collins Outlines Property Tax and Housing Priorities in Idaho House District 7 Seat A Primary Race

Voters in Idaho House District 7 Seat A are weighing a contested Republican primary this May, and local broadcaster Idaho News 6 invited the candidates to complete a written questionnaire about their campaigns, priorities and approach to major issues. Only one of the two candidates responded.

Challenger Michael G. Collins answered all six questions. Incumbent Kyle Harris did not respond to any of them. The station said responses were published as submitted, with edits made only for length where necessary.

Collins said he is running because Idaho is at a turning point, with choices on taxes, growth, education and public safety shaping the future for coming generations. He described himself as a steady conservative voice who favors limited government and personal responsibility, and said he wants to help ensure that growth does not erode what makes Idaho communities special.

He pointed to a background in local government, saying he is a former mayor and city council member who has made decisions on budgets, infrastructure and public safety. Collins also said he has worked with law enforcement, first responders and community leaders, and has spent years as an educator and track coach. Drawing on that coaching experience, he said he believes women's sports should be protected and that biological males should not compete in girls' athletics.

On the question of the biggest issue facing constituents, Collins named affordability, citing rising property taxes, housing costs and the general cost of living. He argued that government must control spending to prevent taxes from climbing, and said he backs policies that expand housing supply and reduce regulatory barriers. He also voiced support for local control over what he called one-size-fits-all mandates from Boise.

Asked about his first policy goal, Collins said he would pursue property tax relief, noting that rising bills are becoming unsustainable for many homeowners, particularly seniors and people on fixed incomes. He said any relief should leave local governments with the tools to fund essentials such as public safety and infrastructure, and that he would look for efficiencies in state spending. He added that cutting red tape to encourage responsible development would help housing availability, saying that when supply is limited, costs go up.

On balancing community needs against budget limits, Collins said government should live within its means as families do. Drawing on his time as mayor, he said he would prioritize core functions such as public safety, infrastructure and essential services and be willing to turn down lower-priority spending. He also called for transparency and regular reviews of programs and budgets to confirm they deliver real value.

Making his case to voters, Collins described himself as a consistent conservative who is pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. He said he has balanced budgets and supported law enforcement, and that the race is about who can lead effectively rather than who talks the loudest.

Idaho News 6 said candidates are listed alphabetically by party and then by last name. The station is also publishing questionnaire responses from other contested races across southern Idaho.