This is a follow up to my e mail of November 9th on the same subject.
I spent three days in Boise this past week, and a major portion of time
was spent on meeting legislators and others about the major problem we
have with school facilities.
This past session I drafted a bill to reduced the super majority to 60%
on school bond elections, but felt that the legislature needed to develop
a package that would assist high priority school districts with state
funds. In conversations with Speaker Mike Simpson, he agreed that the
package concept would stand the best chance if coupled with state support
for funding priority school facilities, and that he would support such a bill.
A possible goal might be to approach the Legislature with a package bill
which would include state funding of $15,000,000 (an example) to help
shcool districts with critical building needs--Troy, Genesee--in District
5, for
example. This is obviously a very complex issue with details to be worked
out. We feel this approach with a state 25% or 33% match would keep
property tax levels at approximately the current level.
The 60% would go to the people to vote on as a constitutional amendment
on the ballot this next fall if it past the Legislature, and it would read.
Shall Section 3, Article VIII, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be
amended to provide that a school district may incur indebtedness with
assent of no less than sixty percent, rather than two-thirds, of the
qualified electors
of the school district voting in an election in accordance with the state
election schedule.
Rep. Donna Boe and Rep. Fred Tilman have drafted similar legislation in terms
the 60% mini-majority. I've been in contact with Rep. Boe and a number of
other legislators. Most legislators realize that we have a major problem
with school facilities, but are quite concerned about possibly raising
property taxes. State funding as a match to local bonds should keep property
rates about the same.
The health and safety of our school children are paramount. Your comments,
input, and suggestions will be appreciated.
Rep. Tom Trail
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