vision2020@moscow.com: LEGISLATIVE REPORT--MARCH 21
LEGISLATIVE REPORT--MARCH 21
Tom Trail (ttrail@moscow.com)
Fri, 21 Mar 1997 21:35:38 -0800
>Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 21:34:22 -0800
>To:trailsteven
>From:ttrail@moscow.com (Tom Trail)
>Subject:LEGISLATIVE REPORT--MARCH 21
>
>
> MARCH 21 LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER--TOM TRAIL, DISTRICT 5
>
> 1. INTRODUCTION--My legislative newsletter is now on the Internet. You can
> check in by contacting http://users.moscow.com/ttrail/ You can also
> key in to the e-mail section of my home page and send me a message.
>
> 2. LEGISLATIVE WINDUP--The House closed up shop at 6:30 pm on Tuesday and
> the Senate finished business on Wednesday.
>
> 3. OUTSTANDING RIVER DESIGNATION--The Bill to establish the state's highest
> water quality standards on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the
> Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway River and
> three of its tributaries in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness failed to
> come to the floor of the house for a final vote. There were still several
> proposed amendments to the bill that were being discussed. There is a
> definite promise from Rep. Golden Linford, House Environmental Committee
> Chair, that the bill will move forward next year. We need to finalize
> the bill with a positive campaign effort next year.
>
> 4. SB 1234--DESIGNATION OF THE SOUTH FORK OF THE STATE RIVER AS A STATE
> PROTECTED RIVER. This bill passed both houses. This bill ratifies
> action already taken by the Idaho Water Resource Board to designate
> 421 miles of rivers and creeks inthe South Fork of the Snake River
> watershed as State Protected Rivers. This will help the state fight
> proposed dam building, and unneeded dredging and mining activities.
>
> 5. CONSERVATION AWARD--The Idaho Conservation League gave the Legislature
> a passing grade this year. This is the first time in a decade that
> League has expressed satisfaction with the work of the Legislature.
> The League worked closely with legislators in the development of
> major surface mining act that passed both houses.
>
> 6. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM--This bill passed both houses and will be signed
> by the Governor. The bill limits contributions to state political races,
> and requires more reporting from independent groups. I submitted a
> bill that would prohibit a candidate or elected official from using
> excess funds for personal use. This is part of the new bill.
>
> Rep. Miller and I voted against the bill because of a section that would
> require groups to obtain written permission from each of their members
> annually before using dues or checkoffs for political purposes. Unions
> are the target. There is an excellent chance that this section of the
> bill in unconstitutional, and it will cost the state a great deal of
> money to fight the court battles. A simple three line amendment
> correcting the language of this section would have satisfied everyone.
> My point was that banks, corporations, and other organizations spend
> large sums of money on political issues and candidates, but shareholders
> and members are not given an option of a checkoff as required of union
> members. This is a clear case of discrimination.
>
> 7. MINIMUM WAGE--A bill supported by the Idaho Hospitality Association and
> the Idaho Association of commerce and Industry will raise the state
> minimum wage to $4.75 per hour on April 1 and to $5.15 on September 1st.
> This brings the state in line with the current federal minimum wage.
>
> 8. HB 343---$500 STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR HOME SCHOOLERS AND FAMILIES
> WHO WANT TO PLACE CHILDREN IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS. This bill was held
> back by the sponsors. It will be brought back next year. Rep. Miller
> and I feel the bill is unconstitutional. Article IX, Sec. 5, of the
> Idaho Constitution, prohibits the State and all governmental entities
> from making "any appropriation" paying out any public monies or funds
> or providing "anything in aid of any church or sectarian or religious
> society...for any sectarian or religious purpose, or to help support
> or sustain any school, academy, or seminary ..controlled by any church
> sectarian or religious denomination. Fewer constitutional provisions
> could be clearer in their prohibition of public aid or incentives for
> religious education.
>
> Many home schooling families communicated they were against the bill
> because it would mean monitoring, reporting, and testing requirements
> for their children. Most families wish to maintain their freedom.
>
> 9. RESTRICTING STATE MANDATES ON COUNTIES--This bill passed on a close
> 37-31 vote. It precludes the state from imposing unfunded mandates
> on cities and counties. It requires that any new or expanded state
> mandated program costing an individual city or county at least $25,000
> or all local governments $500,000 must be accompanied by either the
> state cash to pay the bill or the authority for local governments to
> raise the money themselves. Rep. Miller and I voted for the bill
> when it first came through the House. We agreed with the basic philosopy.
> However, when it came back with the Senate amendments we felt the
> language was unclear and that it might be unconstitutional with the
> new amended language. Governor Batt's position on the bill is unclear.
>
>10. PROPERTY TAX REFORM--One bill will allow counties to defer taxes for
> needy seniors until they either die or seel their homes. County
> commissioners in each county would decide whether or not they want to
> allow such exemptions. The second would exempt newly built speculative
> homes from property taxes for up to a year or until they sell. The
> bills await Governor Batt's decision.
>
> Rep. Dan Mader's bill ending the marriage penalty in the state income
> tax code is headed to the governor's desk. The bill could cost the
> state some $10,000,000 over a period of 10 years. I supported the bill
> simply because it is fair.
>
>11. REFLECTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND IMPACT ON DISTRICT 5
>
> There were a number of significant bills developed through compromise
> that were passed in the 97 legislative session. These included: 1)
> telephone deregulation, 2) managed health care, 3) surface mining act,
> 4) worker's compensation reform, and 5) drug testing in the work
> environment.
>
> Idaho took in about $40,000,000 more in tax revenues last year as
> compared to 95. Almost all of these taxes went to corrections and
> juvenile programs. K-12 public education and higher education were
> hit hard. State employees did not receive a raise. I'm still very
> much convinced that we made a major mistake in not granting the
> 2% salary increase.
>
> The bio-tech building received $3.3 million in funding with a
> promise from the governor for the remaining $1.1 million next year.
> The university received $802,000 as part of the compensation for
> moving part of the engineering program to BSU.
>
> The public school teachers 1.5% pay incentive was lined out of the
> budget by JFAC. The money will go to the districts for reallocation.
>
> The Highway 95 bill made it through the House but was defeated in the
> Senate Transportation Committee. We'll give it another try next year.
>
>12. FUTURE PLANS--I plan on sending out a bi-weekly or monthly letter
> on the Internet after May 1st. I encourage readers to contact Sen.
> Schroeder, Rep. Miller, and myself to express your views and concerns.
> You may have an idea for a bill to be introduced next legislative
> session.
>
> I received about 700 communications during the legislative session,
> and I hope to improve communicating with citizens of District 5
> throughout the year.
>
> Rep. Tom Trail, District 5
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
2039 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel: (208) 882-6077
Fax: (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail@moscow.com
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