Legislative Newsletter VI - February 11-15th

[Rep Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

Legislative Newsletter VI - February 11-15th

JFAC passed appropriations bills for both public and higher education this 
week.  Higher education's budget was cut 10% which means about a $15 
million reduction in the University of Idaho's budget for the 02-03 fiscal 
year and almost another additional $15 million the year after.  This 
translate into about the loss of 150 faculty and staff positions.

1.  Tax Moratorium  --  Early next week Rep. Donna Boe, Pocatello, and I 
will be introducing legislation that calls for a two year moratorium on 50% 
of individual income tax cut passed by the Legislature last year.  This 
legislation would generate about an additional $30 million per year that 
could be used to support priority programs for public and Higher 
Education.  The impact on a family filing jointly with $25,000 in taxable 
income would be about $40 for the year.

2.  Petitions  --  I want to thank Kenton Bird and Jack Porter for heading 
up the drive to collect more than 1,000 signatures from District 5 
constituents who support the tax moratorium legislation.  Sen. Schroeder 
and I are calling a press conference early next week at the Capitol, and we 
will then deliver the petitions to the Governor.  Rep. Boe will hold a 
press conference this weekend in Pocatello.  I understand that many more 
petitions will be delivered to the Governor this next week from various groups.

3. Public School Budget. JFAC approved $920 million in general tax support 
for public education.  The principle components included: $8.4 million for 
computer technology, $4 million to help districts implement achievement 
standards, $3.3 million for the Idaho Reading Initiative, $1 million for 
training and hiring of aides for special education students, $500,000 for 
gifted and talented programs, $4,475,000 for teaching students with limited 
English proficiency, $2million for class supplies, and eliminated $425,000 
in grants to encourage teachers to come up with innovative teaching ideas.

4. Special Session--There is talk that we might have a special session in 
June on the budget if the economic downturn continues.

5. Supermajority on the Way Out?  The Senate Education Committee approved a 
resolution to reduce the percentage needed to pass a school bond levy.  On 
a 6-3 vote the resolution would put a constitutional amendment on the 
November ballot that would reduce the 66.6 percent supermajority needed to 
pass a bond levy to a 60 percent majority of the voters.  This may be one 
of the means to help solve the current school facilities lawsuit.

6. Appaloosa Bill  --  The bill to establish a Appaloosa License plate was 
introduced to the House Transportation Committee.  Carrie Bitterwolf's 5th 
grade class from West Park Elementary presented a 10 minute power point 
presentation on the bill.  The class of 14 students, student teacher, Mandy 
Wood, and 7 parents spent two days in Boise visiting the Capitol and 
attending the Committee meeting.  The class helped the Appaloosa Club and 
the Nez Perce Tribe develop the bill.  All class members participated in 
the presentation supporting the bill.  Carla Tall Eagle from the Nez Perce 
Tribe and Katie Burt from the Appaloosa Club all testified.  The bill 
passed and will now go to the floor of the House for a vote.

7. Vandal Debit Card  --  Several weeks ago I introduced a bill with 
sponsorship of the ASUI Student Body which would allow students to use 
their Vandal Debit Card not only on campus but with downtown businesses as 
well.  Students at WSU use a Cougar Card in the same manner.  Student body 
leaders, Ryan White, and Kasey Swisher met with officers of the Wells Fargo 
Bank and the Banking Lobby.  They have now worked out the technical details 
for making the card, and they will proceed to work with the University of 
Idaho making this a pilot project.  I withdrew the bill since the parties 
got together and solved the problem.

Please send me your comments and recommendations to e mail 
ttrail@house.state.id.us or phone 332-1202. Please check my website at 
www.infotrail.com/idaho.
Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 5