Legislative Newsletter 5 - February 14-18, 2000

[Tom Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

Dear Constituents:

     This week represented continued good recovery for me.  I have a
doctor's appointment on Monday.   I hope to have a good report and get back
to the Legislature mid-week.  Again,  I thank Rep. Maynard Miller for so
ably representing District 5 as my substitute.

     1.  Exiting Standards  --  The House Education Committee recommended
to JFAC to fully fund the Exiting Standards proposal, and in addition to
fully fund the budget for Idaho Public TV.  There was overwhelming support
for these two initiatives.

     2.  School Facilities--The court case brought forth by 15 Idaho school
districts comes up on March 7th in Boise.  The suit hopes to force the
state to help pay for school building improvements and construction.  They
are basing their lawsuit on the Idaho Constitution which holds the
Legislature for a uniform and thorough public education system.  The
districts contend that includes buildings as well as what is taught.  It is
interesting that the Wendel Middle School was closed this week for being
unsafe.  Ten states including Idaho do not help local districts with school
facilities, and 9 of those states do not require the supermajority.  So far
the various legislative proposals including Gov. Kempthorne's loan program
are Band-Aids.  It is amazing to me that with the potential financial
impact in the state if the court rules against the state, that large tax
cuts are being discussed.

     3. Minimum Wage for Farm Workers  --  We counted up the votes in the
House Ag Committee and saw that we couldn't get the bill passed.   A bill
will be introduced combining the minimum wage for farm workers and
registration of farm labor contractors to be studied by a Legislative
Interim Committee.  I contacted both sides and everyone was supportive of
this approach.  It is a victory of sorts in that we keep the issues alive
and, hopefully, through the Summer will come up with a piece of legislation
that we can get through in 2001.

     4.  Help for Idaho's Elderly Poor  --  The Senate voted overwhelming
to modify the states' Medicaid program so that intermediate steps between
home care and expensive nursing homes are covered under by the
state-federal subsidies for the elderly poor.

     5.  Tax Cuts  --  Everyone would love to get a tax cut.  Legislator's
on the Republican side are trotting out a $50 million package that would
drop personal and corporate rates.  It looks like Idaho will be looking at
$70 million for a surplus and the Governor wanted to put $54 million in the
rainy day fund.  Personally,  I see the extra money being put to much
better use for school facilities,  highways,  health programs, and higher
education.  We do need an appropriate rainy day fund for emergencies.  My
guess is that some type of tax relief will be passed and this might include
the marital deduction.

     6.  Industrial Hemp  --  My industrial hemp bill was defeated by an
8-2 vote in the House Ag Committee. There has been tremendous pressure from
law enforcement and the Governor's office against the bill.   Farmers need
an alternative crop.  Industrial hemp certainly is providing that
opportunity to farmers in Canada and Europe.  It is an environmentally
friendly crop as well.  I will continue the educational process and bring
the bill back again next year.

     7.  Bills Crack Down on Drunken Drivers  --  Legislation was
introduced in the Senate which endorses a stricter ban on open containers
in vehicles and requiring installation of vehicle ignition interlock
systems upon a second drunken driving conviction.  This is an excellent
idea.  Legislation to increase penalties for not wearing seat belts has
also been introduced and has my support.

     8.  PERSI  --  The three PERSI bills passed the House this week and a
vote in the Senate should be forthcoming this next week.  Representatives
debated over an hour on the bill raising the multiplier
from 1.91 to 2.0.  The final vote was 40-28 on this bill.

     9.  Term Limits  --  Legislation was introduced to allow a county
option vote on whether to set local term limits.

    10.  Citizens' Privacy  --  Attorney General Al Lance introduced
legislation to help protect citizens from questionable business activities
that could affect personal privacy.  Lance's bill would prohibit banks,
insurance companies and drug stores from selling credit card and bank
account numbers or medical and prescription information.  This bill has my
endorsement.





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