We are now beginning the third week of the legislative session. I
received about 115
inquires by e mail last week. Thanks for your comments, questions,
positions,
and input. I've used several of your e mails in committees and shared
them with
legislators.
Again, I can be reached by e mail in Moscow -- ttrail@moscow.com--in
Boise
at mjmaxwell@juno.com and at the capitol infocntr@iso.state.id.us
LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER--WEEK II--JANUARY 18-25TH
1. INTERNET CHARGES--Last May the FCC came out against charging for
Internet access. I talked with Marcia Smith, IPUC Commissioner today,
and
she said that discussions are underway at the FCC concerning the
possibility
of allowing local providers to charge for Internet usage. The FCC is
soliciting
comments and suggestions.
2. TROY AREA EXTENDED AREA SERVICE--Commissioner Smith reported that
TDS in the Troy area is developing an extended area service proposal
which
should soon be sent to the IPUC. After a full review, a public hearing
would be
scheduled sometime in the summer. Needless to say, this is all a bit
tenative.
3. HB487--This bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Kempton last year. The
bill
adds to existing law to provide a claims and arbitration process when
local
government actions affect the value of real property. I've received a
number of
inquires on this bill. The bill has been called by some the "takings"
bill. According
to my analysis the bill, if passed, would cripple land use planning,
zoning, and
environmental controls on private property. David Peckham points out
that the
entire bill can be read at www.idwr.state.id.us/legislat/track98.html.
I plan on
opposing the bill.
4. SUPERMAJORITY/SCHOOL FACILITIES---Representatives Tilman, Boe, and
I met with Governor Batt this morning to discuss our proposed legislation
which
would reduce the super majority to 60% in school bond elections. This
is a proposed constitutional amendment which if passed by 2/3 rds of the
legislators
would then go on the ballot in the 98 general election. The
legislation also
provides that school bond election be held on the four state designated
election
dates including the primary and general election. My impression is that
the
Governor feels it is more of a legislative matter but thanked us for the
update.
The 60% majority should be coupled with some state funding. Sen.
Cameron
is proposing legislation to set up the mechanism for state monies for
school facilities. Sen. Stennett will introduce a bill to funnel the
$20 million Idaho receives
from the state lottery to the k-12 schools facilities and maintenance
fund. The
downside is that Higher Education would lose out on the $10 million
currently
designated for the permanent building fund. Critical school building
problems
such as the Troy High School need to be addressed, and a state match of
25%
would help keep property taxes at about the same level.
5. HB426--EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW--This bill will save Idaho employers
about $112 million over the next four years. It will cut the standard
unemployment
insurance taxes for some businesses by nearly 30%. The bill passed the
House
today on a 68-0 vote indicating widespread bipartisan support.
6. PATIENT FREEDOM OF INFORMATI0N ACT--This bill is just being printed.
The
proposed act will create a program that will require health care
providers to submit their professional histories to their respective
licensing boards at the time they apply for their annual license renewal.
The boards will then make these profiles available to the public upon
request. This will fill an informational need for consumers.
7. HB443 BUDGET STABLIZATION ACT--This bill would create the Budget
Stabilization Fund by transferring all monies in current budget reserve
account, then annually adding 1% of any revenue growth over 4%. The
total amount in the fund is not to exceed 5% of the next year's general
fund budget. Expenditures from the fund can occur only by concurrent
resolution with at least 2/3 vote inboth chambers. If this
bill passes it could well cost k-12 education $15,000,000. I will vote
against the
bill when it is introduced because of a potential negative impact to both
k-12
and Higher Education funding.
8. CHILD PROTECTION ACT--This bill will be introduced this week. The
bill
developed by Attorney General Al Lance would:
l. Allow anyone to obtain the names and addresses of the 1,700 sex
offenders
registered in Idaho;
2. Allow judges to commit the most predatory offenders to secure
treatment after their prison terms expire;
3. Standardize how states list sex offenders so the offenders can
be tracked
when they move;
4. Provide a list to all school superintendents of sex offenders in
their district.
I believe that this legislation will receive widespread support.
9. GOVERNOR BATT'S TAX COLLECTION PLAN--The Governor is proposing
spending $2,000,000 to hire 29 more tax collectors to go after unpaid
taxes from
residents who are not filing tax returns or failing to comply with tax
laws and from
non-residents who operate for a short times in the state and dispose of
property
without paying taxes.
Legislative performance evaluations estimated in 1996 that cheating and
honest
mistakes combine to deny the state treasury $244 million in taxes each
year. The
Governor estimates that up to $50 million could be collected with
stronger
enforcement. Honest taxpayers have to pick up the tab for those who do
not
pay their taxes. I don't believe that the Governor--as many have
indicated--is
pointing the tax collectors at the Saturday morning garage sales circle.
10. MINIMUM WAGE FOR FARM WORKERS--Most farm workers in the state earn at
least the $5.15 hourly minimum. However, many workers, mostly Hispanic
earn
less. Last year, for example, tree pruners in Southwest Idaho were paid
$1.00 per
hour according to Erik Johnson, an attorney and Treasure Valley farm
worker advocate. There is an important issue of equity and fairness
here. I will support
legislation to pay all farm workers the $5.15 hourly minimum.
11. READING LEGISLATION--The House Education Committee approved for
printing
two bills introduced by Dr. Anne Fox. The bills would require more
college training in phonics reading instruction and a companion bill
mandating at least 45 minutes per day in phonics for the first two
grades. A recent survey of 1,000 Idaho fourth graders
last fall found that 67 percent could not read a passage aloud and answer
questions
about its content. A University of Idaho study indicates that 39% of
students
read below grade level.
Research clearly shows that reading ability at the 3rd grade level is
an excellent
predictor of future academic success. I believe Dr. Fox wants to
improve the
help students improve their reading ability. However, I believe that
we need a
balanced approach. Each student has his/her own learning style and
approach
to learning. Teachers must be sensitive to these individual learning
needs, and
have skills in diagnosing individual learning needs as well as skils in
phonics and
whole language methods. There will be a great deal of discussion this
week as
we receive testimony in committee.
12. SQUIRREL--On the lighter side, the City of Tacoma is planning to
build a
$2 million bridge for squirrels to cross a new highway.
Tom Trail, Representative District 5
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]