vision2020
Re: Legislative Newsletter VI - February 11-15th
Why is it that when a budget is reduced it is spoken about with numbers
which imply devistating consequences such as 'Higher education budget cut by
10%' and a tax is increased (or reduction moratorium) it is spoken about in
terms which seem inconsequential to the taxpayer like 'impact on joint
$25,000 income family $40'?
When will government learn to live within its means? In good times and not
so good times? ...or is it just to easy to increase ( or delay decreases )
taxes to make up the percieved shortfall? If anyone reading this changed
jobs (by choice or not) and your takehome pay was reduced, wouldn't you
eliminate costs until your spending came into line with your income?
Wouldn't you make choices in your spending? Why is it hard for elected
officials to make choices? Is it the group of elected officials ( the
legislature ) cannot agree on what is important and what is not?
Why is another $30 million is enough? Why not go for it all? Why not
eliminate the entire tax decrease and increase taxes? There is probably
another $30, $40, $50, $275 million that could be collected. After all, the
impact on that '$25,000 joint filing family will only be $1 a day'. ...and
isn't it worth just another dollar a day to fully fund every concieveable
government program? Oh, my mistake. An extra $275 million could not
possibly fund EVERY imaginable government program. It would probably take
considerably more that that. How about $1 an hour???
Mike Rush
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rep Trail" <RepTrail@infotrail.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 7:17 AM
Subject: Legislative Newsletter VI - February 11-15th
> 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
>
>
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