The Idaho State Tax Commission says it was "totally blindsided" by a verbal thrashing the agency took Friday at the state Capitol.

During a seemingly insignificant vote on giving the commission $200,000 Friday, lawmakers derided auditors as overly aggressive and Republican Sen. Jim Rice of Caldwell went as far as to describe it as the country's worst tax collection agency.

Democratic Sen. Les Bock of Boise said the commission's "tendency toward rigidity and strong-arming techniques" is far more pronounced than at the IRS.

Tax Commission Chairman Rich Jackson defended the agency, saying only a small number of audits result in conflicts with taxpayers. He says he typically hears that auditors are "very nice and did a very good job."

The commission's funding bill squeaked by, 18-16.