Fw: Legislative Newsletter--II--January 13-18.2002

["Tom Trail" <ttrail@moscow.com>]

Subject: Legislative Newsletter--II--January 13-18.2002


>
> Visionaires:   The second week of the 2002 Idaho Legislative Session is
> over.
> Here are some of the events and highlights of the week.
>
>  1.  Term Limits--H.B. 425 which calls for elimination of term limits will
> be
>        debated in the House State Affairs Committee on Monday.  There are
>       a number of other term limits proposals including an advisory vote
> that
>       would be placed on the November ballot.  The next several weeks will
>       see much debate on the subject as the Governor and Legislature
square
>       off.  So far I've received about 80 messages from constitutents on
> term
>       limits.   The tally is running about 60% against term limits and 40%
> in
>       favor.
>
>  2.  Budget and Education--Best estimates are that the State will be
facing
>       a $110 million deficit this coming year.  Unless the economic
> situation
>       improves it could be even worse.   Other neighboring states are
facing
>       even larger deficits:  Oregon-$800 million, Washington-$1.2 billion,
> and
>       California--$12 billion.  Higher Education is going to feel the
brunt
> of
>       of the cuts.  The Governor's budget calls for a 10% cut and this
> coupled
>       with earlier cutbacks could mean about 150 positions cut for the
> University
>       of Idaho.   The Governor placed a freeze on the $80 million in
capital
>       expenditures approved last session.   This includes $10 million for
> the
>       U. of Idaho Teaching-Learning Center.  The Governor is in a tough
>       position; however, I feel that building projects employ people.
They
> pay
>       taxes, and there is a positive economic multiplier effect for each
>       construction dollar spent in the community.
>
>       I'm still a firm supporter of the Gov. Jeb Bush and Republican
> Legislature
>       approach to place a moratorium on tax cuts.   The tax cuts then
> trigger in
>       as the economy improves.   We could pick up $100 million in the base
>       budget if we'd do the same.   I don't sense much support in this
> Legislature
>       for the idea, but it makes sense to me and many constituents in
Dist.
> 5.
>
>       There is some good news on the fiscal front for public education.
The
> new
>       Federal Education Bill will increase federal funding to Idaho to a
> total of
>       $150 million.  Idaho will be receiving about $4 million/year for the
> next 4
>       years for Achievement Standards Implementation,  and there will be
>       additional monies for technology including hardware and teacher
> training.
>
>  3.  Compensation for State Employees--Sen. Schroeder and I supported a
>       2% increase for state employees; however, we were not given a chance
>       to debate our position, and the Governor's proposal was approved.  I
>       was especially concerned that since 13% of state employees qualify
for
>       welfare programs that we needed to provide them with some
assistance.
>
>  4.  Registration of Farm Labor Contractors--As a co-sponsor of this bill
>       I was pleased that the bill was approved for printing by the Senate
>       Human Resources Committee.
>
>  5.  Constitutional Amendment to Protect Idaho Citizen Hunting and Fishing
>       Rights.   Rep. Bob Harwood and I are co-sponsoring this
constitutional
>       amendment.  North Dakota, Virginia, and Alabama citizens recently
>       approved such legislation.  The amendment reads as follows:
Hunting,
>       trapping, and fishing and the taking of wild animals, wild birds and
> wild
>       fish are a valued part of our heritage and will be forever preserved
>       for the people of the state of Idaho within the boundaries of the
> state of
>       Idaho.  All wildlife shall be managed by laws and regulations which
> provide
>       continued supplies for Idaho citizens to harvest by traditional
> methods
>       of take.
>
>  6.  Appaloosa License Plate--The Appaloosa Club asked me to sponsor a
>       bill so that s special license plate be made to honor the legacy of
> our
>       state horse, and the unique breed developed by the Nez Perce Tribe.
>       Profits from the sale of the plate will enable the Appaloosa Horse
> Club
>       to sponsor youth horse program in Idaho such as 4-H, FFA, and
>       Therapeutic Riding.
>
>  7.  Dual Enrollment--Rep. Young and I are working on a dual enrollment
>       bill.   The intent of the bill would be to have the state reimburse
> parents
>       for the cost of university courses that count for both university
and
>       high school credit.   Reimbursement would only be made by the school
>       district upon successful completion of the course.  This bill should
> be
>       beneficial to both Higher Education and school districts.  We at
least
>       want to get a hearing on bill.  Since there would be a fiscal impact
> on
>       the state budget the chances of passage may not be favorable.
>
> Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 5
>
> Please send me your ideas, recommendation and concerns to: e-mail
> ttrail@house.state.id.us    Phone 208-332-1202.
>