Rep. Trail's Legislative Newsletter I, January 17-21, 2000

[Tom Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

Dear Visionaries,

     This week was highlighted with Governor Kempthorne's State of the
State Budget address.   This year's budget is targeted at about $1.8
billion with 64% going to education.  Governor Kempthorne's address was
conservative in approach emphasizing placing a majority of the state's
surplus in the budget stabilization fund.  Some highlights include:

1.  Tobacco Settlement  --  The Governor has proposed that all tobacco
monies go into the Millennium Endowment Fund.   A total of $750,000,000 is
expected to come in over a 25 year period.  Only the interest income will
be spent on state projects.  During the first five years income can only be
spent on one-time projects such as buildings.  Final program priorities
have yet to be determined;  however, my priorities would include health
prevention and treatment programs,  early childhood development programs,
and        support for critical education activities.  I support the basic
concept of the endowment fund; however,  I feel that critical projects such
as buildings, educational needs, etc. should come out of the general fund.

2.  University of Idaho  --  There were no significant increases for the
University.  The Governor supported $100,000 for the Quality Assurance Lab.
 The College of Agriculture will be receiving federal funding for two new
programs:  1) training for displaced farmers and  2) parental training for
low income parents.

3.  Corrections  --  The budget for Corrections is $168,000,000 and a new
prison will be opened on July 1st.  There will be a great deal of
discussion concerning mandatory and minimal sentencing.   I support
granting our judges more discretion in setting final sentencing.

4.  State Employees Compensation Package  --  The CEC Committee supported
the Governor's package which included 1) moving the payline up 5%,   2) a
3.5% merit pay increase, and 3) the PERSI retirement enhancements including
the multiplier and gains sharing components.  I will be supporting the
legislative action on the retirement enhancements.

5.  Industrial Hemp  --  I will present this bill to 30 farm organization
leaders this week.  I discovered a new use for industrial hemp.   The
Ukraine BAST Research Institute (including industrial hemp) is now being
utilized to decontaminate the radioactive soils around Chernobyl.  The crop
also quickly extracts nitrates from the soil and the Idaho Potato
Commission is interested.  Apparently,  the crop has soil bio-remediation
capabilities.  Several European countries have developed varieties with
zero THC.  Last week I talked with an owner of the Good Earth Hemp Company
in Spokane.  They sell over $2 million in hemp textiles to Ralph Lauren,
Polo, etc. and can't keep up with the demand.  They would love to see the
crop grown locally.

6.  Minimum Wage for Farm Workers and Registration for Farm Labor
Contractors  --  A successful march on the Capitol by many farm workers and
students called for support for the raising of the minimum wage for farm
workers to $5.15/hour.  Over 6,000 farm workers are not paid the minimum
wage in Idaho.  I presented the legislation to about 50 farm organization
leaders.  It would be a great legacy to the Governor and the Legislature if
they would support legislation that would grant farm workers full economic
"citizenship" to start this millennium.  A sixth grade Boise student asked
me the question, "Could the Governor support his family on the minimum wage."

7.  Law Enforcement Legislation  --  I'm working with the Attorney General
on three pieces of legislation.  The first bill would help victims of
victim identity theft more quickly restore their credit ratings.  Another
bill would set penalties for unlawfully using laser pointers and laser
rifle telescopic sights against law enforcement officers and others.  The
third is to set rules and regulations and penalties against those using
unsolicited spamming in e mail traffic.  The Attorney General will also
introduce an anti-telephone marketing bill and a right to privacy act.

8.  Public Hearings for Highway 95 South  --  While the law may not require
formal public hearings,  I've written Engineer Jim Carpenter,  DOT,
recommending that in the public interest, hearings be held.

9.  Fish and Game Fee Increases  --  I've communicated to the Governor that
I can support a fee increase only with a complete audit of the Fish and
Game Department.  Last Summer Sen. Schroeder and I requested an audit of
dedicated funds in the Department.  There were sufficient data to indicate
mismanagement of  funds.  A comprehensive audit by an outside firm should
be conducted so that a new director can communicate with full confidence
concerning the financial integrity of the Department or take appropriate
steps to fix the problem.

10. Exiting Standards  --  We will hold three days of public hearings on
the Exiting Standards this week. There will be great interest in this
subject.  It is of interest to note that in Virginia which has some of the
nation's most challenging standards,  Virginia students posted their
highest scores yet on each of the 27 exams given in grades three, five,
eight and throughout high school.  The gains in the passing rate for the
Algebra I exam went from 20% to 51%.


Rep. Trail, district 5

 I would like constituents to e-mail, phone, fax, or write me with their
ideas, comments and recommendations.  

by phone: (at the House Communications Center)

208-332-1000 switchboard
208-332-1202 desk
208-334-5397  (fax)

by email:

ttrail@house.state.id.us      My email in Boise
infocntr@lso.state.id.us      Information desk at the Capitol
            
Address:

Rep. Tom Trail
Idaho State Legislature
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0038

Legislative newsletters and additional materials and information can be
located on my web
and home page http://www.infotrail.com/idaho/idaho.html