I received almost 175 e-mails this past week and shared many of the
messages with other legislators. The volume of bills is
accelerating.
Again, if you'd like to communicate with me -- Phone:
208-334-2000
Desk Phone: 208-332-1216; Fax: 208-334-5397; e-mail:
infocntr@lso.state.id.us
and I can also be reached by e mail at night at mjmaxwell@juno.com
2. HB 538--Rep. Kempton's Takings Bill did not move out of the House
State Affairs Committee. A committee is being proposed to study
this bill and similar ones over the summer with public hearings to
be
scheduled.
3. Truck Weight Update--I've received about 30 e mails on the proposed
legislation to increase trucking weights to 129,000 pounds. All
were
in opposition of the increase. The Grangeville-Moscow Highway
95
stretch was to be a demonstration route. Rep. Kempton said today
there was no support for this route and so the Grangeville-Moscow
route will be dropped.
We still need to look at the proposed legislation. Rep. Frank
Bruneel
is still opposed to the legislation. He says that we need to
look at the
entire state transportation insfrastructure. He notes that if we
let South
Idaho move ahead with the demonstration that this will still tend
to
divide the state on the north-south basis--problems that we already
have.
Rep. Bruneel also says increasing the truck weights will cost Idaho
trucking firms jobs. These are all important items to consider.
4. HEADSTART LEGISLATION--The Headstart Bill passed the Senate
Education
Committee with a DO PASS, and will be sent to the Senate Floor.
The bill
proposes to transfer Headstart to the Department of Education, and
request
an appropriation of $1,500,000 in state funds to establish
classrooms in
areas of the state not currently served. Dr. Barr, BSU Dean of
Education,
testified that an investment in early childhood programs like
Headstart
pay off on a $1 investment with a $7 dollar return to the state
over the long
term. Preventative educational programs like Headstart targeted
at the
children of the "poorest of the poor" have demonstrated long term
positive
results.
5. CHARTER SCHOOLS--The Charter School Bill passed the House 61-4 and
will soon be considered by the Senate. The Governor has said
that he will
sign the bill if it passes the Senate.
6. GIFTED AND TALENTED LEGISLATION--Reps. Miller, Boe, and I received a
Attorney General's opinion that the funding mechanism proposed
would
obligate future legislatures. Rep. Bob Geddes, JFAX Co-Chair,
suggested
we approach the Department of Education. They have a $500,000
line
line for gifted and talented programs (which the Governor did not
want to
fund in his budget). We'll try to work together with the Dept. of
Education and
approach JFAX next week with an attempt to get an appropriation.
The odds
are slim that we can do much this session.
7. CAPITAL CRIMES DEFENSE FUND--The House passed today 67-1 this
legislation which would create a fund to help countiespay for what
can be
enormous bills for prosecuting murder cases. The legislation would
allow
counties to pay into a central fund which could then be utilized
when necessary
to finance a major murder trial.
8. CHILD PROTECTION ACT--This legislation developed by Attorney General
Lance approved the opening to the public of the list of juvenile
sex offenders
and make it public. The same legislation for adults was approved
by the
Senate earlier. These bills will soon be introduced into the
House.
9. HB 662--NURSING PRACTICES ACT--This bill passed the House by a
66-0 margin. Doctors and Nurse Practioners worked out a
compromise
on this bill, and it insures that quality care by nurse practioners
will still be
available to rural citizens in relatively isolated areas. Nurse
Practioner
Heidi Crouch in Latah County is doing an outstanding job. I
received at
least 5 calls complimenting her on her outstanding service to rural
citizens.
10. HP 472--VICIOUS DOG BILL--This bill passed the House by a 43-22
margin
It provides that a vicious dog must be controlled by the owner and
increases
penalties if the owner fails to control the dog. This bill was
hard to get
your teeth into and provoked some humor according to sponor Rep.
Hornbeck.
11. IMMUNIZING CHILDREN--We learned today that JFAX turned down funding
for immunizing children. In central Idaho only 52% of young
children are
immunized and Idaho ranks 50th in the country. Children first
should be
the priority. Many of the legislators are asking JFAC members
serious
questions about this decision.
Rep. Tom Trail/District 5
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