Rep. Trail - Midweek Legislative Update - 9th week

[Tom Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

MIDWEEK LEGISLATIIVE NEWSLETTER-9TH WEEK

I thought I'd share a few pieces of legislative news at midweek of the 9th
week of the Idaho Legislative session.

1.  Tax Cuts  --  tax cuts are being debated in the Senate.  There is some
indication that the Senate will propose a smaller tax cut, and that we may
have the chance to vote on the various tax cut components.  I've already
said that I could support the elimination of of the Marriage Tax Penalty
and keep the health insurance deduction for self employed Idahoans.
Funding these two tax components would cost the state just over $12million
and still allow us to fully fund public education.

2.  Promise Scholarships  --  The House Education Committee passed Sen.
Lee's Scholarship Bill.  The bill would provide $500/semester scholarship
support for four semesters if a high school student graduated with a 3.0
gpa.  The scholarship would also be available to students once they
entered, for example, a community college or votech program.   They would
have to maintain a 2.5 GPA or a 20 score on the ACT.  The scholarship
program has the potential to benefit 5,000 Idaho high school graduates.
Home schoolers and graduates from private schools will also be eligible. We
are looking at the Tobacco Fund as a possible source of funding.   It will
still be another two years before sufficient returns on the investments
will be available to fund first health programs and then scholarship
programs.  This is what the Governor is indicating.  The bill passed the
Senate 32-0.  There is widespread support for the bill and it may be the
most important legislative investment in Idaho’s youth that we've seen in
some time

3.  Victim ID  --  Consumer Credit Protection  --  This bill is designed to
to help victims of ID theft to more rapidly re-establish their credit
rating.  The bill sponsored by Rep. Randy Hansen and myself passed the
House by a 66-0 margin today.

4.  School Uniforms  --  This bill sparked a great deal of debate.  It
passed the House by a 61-1 margin.  The bill provides that the board of
trustees of each school district shall have the power to develop a policy
regarding school uniforms.  Studies in school districts who have adopted
the policy for school uniforms indicate it has had a positive impact in
reducing vandalism, crime, and that discipline has been improved.






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