This is the seventh in the series of legislative newsletters. The 20th
of March is the target date for adjounment according to Speaker Simpson.
Committee work is
slowing down and we are spending more time on the floor debating and
voting on
bills. Rep. Miller, Sen. Schroeder, and I can be reached: Tel: (208)
332-1000,
Fax: (208) 334-5397, and e mail infocntr@lso.state.id.us. I can be
reached at my
desk phone: 332-1216 and at night e mail at mjmaxwell@juno.com
1. HB 623 A--This was the bill to to set up pilot project routes on
state highways
to allow trucks to operate on those routes with weights up to
129,000 and to
limit trucks to speed limits of no more than 60 mph. This is to
be a three
test. The bill was amended to eliminate a demonstration route
from
Grangeville to Moscow. If the test is successful (and the
infrastructure holds
up) then efforts will be made to try and get Congress to allow
129,000 pounds
on the Interstate highways. The bill was debated for almost two
hours. The
agricultural and mining interests in the Southern part of the state
report they
need the bill passed to help keep their products competitive.
Union Pacific
has had major problems hauling goods to market. The Governor
pushed this
bill hard. Rep. Miller and I voted against the bill (it passed
46-16) We had
major concerns about safety and impact on the highway
infrastructure.
2. SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION--Rep. David Callister proposed that counties
under
5,000 population would be required to have only one school
superintendent.
no matter how many districts they have. He estimated the bill
would save
state $2,000,000 in administrative costs. School superintendents
argued
there would be no guarantee of savings and that it would be
unworkable to ask
a single administrator to work with several other school boards.
The bill was
voted to be held in committee by a 16-1 vote.
3. SCHOOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS TO LOSE 20% OF THEIR
FUNDING--The Legislative budget committee authorized a $5.5
million line
item for the programs--which received $7 million last year. Dr.
Anne Fox
hoped to pick up the balance with bills aimed at increasing tax on
beer and
wine, but these bills are being held in committee.
4. HEAD START--HB 1427--this bill which would expand Head Start
programs
by serving more than 255 more children. The bill will be
considered by
JFAX this week.
5. HB 555--this bill would allow the state Board of Pharmacy to
suspend or
revoke the controlled substance licenses it issues to doctors,
dentistis,
and other professionals with prescribing powers. The intent of
the bill
is to keep addicts from picking up the telephone to get fraudulent
prescriptions
for addictive drugs. Several other bills aimed at stemming
prescription drug
use will also be considered by the Health and Welfare Committee.
6. SCHOOL FACILITIES--The House and Taxation Committee killed a bill
introduced by Dr. Anne Fox to raise the state sales tax by 10
percent or
up to 5.5 cents per dollar. She proposed the tax which would
generate
an estimated $60 million/year to be used for school facilities.
There is an
estimated backlog of $733 million in needed school facilities work.
7. SCHOOL BONDS--60% REQUIREMENT--A constitutional amendment is
being proposed by Rep. Fred Tilman, Rep. Donna Boe, and Rep. Trail
which would reduce to 60 percent the two-thirds voter approval for
voter
approval required for the passage of school bond elections. The
proposal
would allow such levy elections only in May or November in
connection with
the primary and general election dates. Approximately one of
three bond
elections achieves a 2/3rds majority in Idaho. There is
considerable
opposition from farmers in rural areas with low commodity prices.
The
bill will receive a hearing in State Affairs on Thursday.
8. TAX BREAK--The House voted 49-15 to double a state income tax credit
now
given for contributions to educational and non-profit
organizations such as
colleges, state libraries, and schools. The bill now goes to the
Senate.
9. STATE ENDOWNMENT FUND--Four bills are going through the legislative
process--HJM 9, HB 643, and HJR 6 and 8--If passed these bills
will change
the way public endowment funds are invested for the benefit of
Idaho school
children. The bills have the potential to to raise millions of
dollars for
the public school systems. If the bills pass they voters will be
asked to
vote on these as a constitutional amendment in November. The
fund
generates about $45 million per year. Under prudent management
it is
estimated that an additional $20 million per year could be
achieved for the
fund.
Rep. Tom Trail/District 5
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