Legislative Update II - Jan 14-18

[RepTrail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

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 University 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 the Florida 
Republican Legislature approach to place a moratorium on tax cuts.  The tax 
cuts are then triggered 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 District 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 it 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.