>Visionnaries--There are a number of important issues being worked on during the
>between legislative sessions. I'd like to bring you up-to-date on several of
>these and plan to communique on a period basis work on these issues and other
>matters. I also solicit your input, reflection, and ideas.
>
> 1. Equity for State Employees--I won't be satisfied until by next March
> 20th we have legislation passed and signed by the Governor that provides
> state employees with a reasonable salary increase (several of us have
> proposed an increase in the 4-6% range to the Governor). Increases in
> that range have been made at least 5 times in the past. I will be
> attending meetings with legislators at various locations in the state
> during the next three months to solicit their support.
>
> I'm working with Representatives Max Black and Paul Kjallander (Boise)
> in drafting legislation to pay for the estimated $4.5 million tab for
> increases in health care premiums. I met with Rep. Black twice last
> week in Moscow and we will be asking Legislative Services to help us
> in drafting the legislation. The plan will be to prefile the bill in
> in early December and then ask the legislature to pass the bill as a
> supplementary appropriation in January. Your District 5 Legislative
> delegation met with President Hoover and Marty Peterson last week and
> this is one issue we discussed. Once the draft legislation is ready
> we'll have it reviewed by the President. We have Mike Simpson, Speaker
> of the House, support on this.
>
> The economy of the state appears to be moving ahead. We'll be working
> with state legislators throughout the next months to convince them of
> the great importance of this legislation.
>
> 2. Troy-Kendrick Long Distance Phone Status Report--The citizens of
> the Troy-Kendrick area have to pay for long distance calls when they
> call Moscow or other local areas in the county. We've been trying to
> work with GTE and the Troy Provider to eliminate the long distance
> charges. I recently contacted Marsha Smith, IPUC Commissioner, about
> the situation and this is her status report.
>
> In November 1996, Troy Telephone filed a calling plan alternative with the
> IPUC that proposed four calling area options of increasing size with
> corresponding increasing charges for each. In February, the staff issued a
> production request to GTE to get the data necessary to analyze the Troy
>
> proposal. GTE's response came on April 1st. GTE opposes the Troy
proposal,
> as well as any other calling plan option. It has been pointed out that the
> long distance companies are offering calls at prices of 10 cents per
minute.
> GTE estimates that EAS would cost 30 cents a minute, so it is doubtful
>that a revenue neutral calling plan could be successfully
>developed. GTE also estimates that is would cost Moscow residents about
>$1.00 per month for EAS to Troy and does not believe most customers would
>be willing to pay that. GTE has indicated that it would prepare a survey
>for the Moscow customers to get information on how many would support the
>dollar increase for Troy EAS.
>
>In the meantime, Troy has asked that the case be put on hold so it can
>review the GTE comments, and work with its customers to develop other
>alternatives. This includes looking into various public information
>options to increase participation in the discounted rate plans of the long
>distance companies
>because very few customers are using those plans even though they could
>save money by doing so.
>
>The IPUC staff agrees with GTE regarding the probability of success with a
>calling plan. Staff also does not want to agree to any plan that keep GTE
>revenue neutral because it has been so long since the company had a rate
>increase. In summary, Troy is now tyring to get informaton on the discount
>toll plans that are available out to its customers and GTE is going to
>survey its Moscow customers. This is the current status report from
>Commissioner Smith.
>
>3. FCC DECISION MEANS DISCOUNTS FOR RURAL LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS--On May 7th
> The FCC ruled that telecommunication providers will provide for significant
> discounts on a wide range of telecommunicatons services for libraries
> and schools. The new rules mandate discounts ranging from 20-90 percent
> with deeper discounts for libraries and schools in rural, high cost and
> low income areas. The discounts are expected to provide up to $2.25
billion
> annually beginning January 1, 1998. The new FCC rules will ensure that
> schools and libraries will be able to afford telecommmunications services
> for students and library users, giving the flexibility to choose from
> the most basic to the most advanced commercially available services.
> Lori Keenan alerted me to this news. I called Jo Ann Mack, GTE, to
> see what details she could give me and she is contacting GTE's Public
> Affairs Director for further information.
>
> Marsha Smith, IPUC Commissioner, sent me an e mail about a PBS telecon-
> ference to be held on June 3rd/10:00 p.m. at the University KUID, Radio/TV
> Center at the U. of Idaho. This will be a teleconference on the discount
> rates for libraries, schools, and hospitals under the federal
> Telecommunications Act of 1996. The essence of the teleconference will be
> to help decision makers understand how they can benefit from the large
> discounts and what one will need to do to be ready for the opportunity.
> Specifically, the teleconference will cover how to get maximum discounts,
> explain obligations under the law, provide guidance for working with
> the IPUC, examine strategies for cooperation to increase cost reduction,
> and examine ways to effectively utilize new telecommunications services
> to improve library services. Registration can be e-mailed to Pamela
> Bradshaw at pbradsha@isl.state.id.us
>
> I sent the information out to all of the Latah County Schools. All of
> the libraries have already been notified. This is an opportunity that
> our libraries and schools should take advantage of at this point in time.
> I've already registered and will attend the meeting.
>
> 4. There are other developing issues; however, I'll keep you posted
> on these at a later date.
>
>Tom Trail, Representative
>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
>
>
>
Lori Keenan, Director
Latah County Library District
110 S. Jefferson Street
Moscow, ID 83843
tel: (208)882-3923
fax: (208) 882-5098
e-mail: lkeenan@norby.latah.lib.id.us
IF YOUR SHIP DOESN'T COME IN, SWIM OUT TO IT. -- Jonathan Winters