2002 Idaho Legislative Wrap-up

[Rep Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>]

IDAHO LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER WRAPUP

The Idaho Legislature wrapped up business on Friday in one of the shortest 
sessions in history.

1. Education and the Economy  --  Tax revenues continued to decline as the 
recession continues to constrain Idaho's economic development.  The fiscal 
conservatives cut back public education funding and higher education took a 
10 percent cut.  The conflict with those of us who want to at least 
maintain the funding level for education at the same level as last year and 
the conservatives is basically over the utilization of available monies.

      The funds available include: 1) $80 million for plant facilities 
(approved last year), and 2) $26 million in the budget stabilization fund, 
3) $55 million in the Millennium Fund.  The Conservatives want to keep this 
$150 million in reserve for emergencies.  Everyone agrees that we should 
have at least a minimal reserve.  However, if we took about $35 million 
from the reserve we could at least fund education at last years' level, and 
still leave a reason  - able reserve.  Unfortunately, the potential damage 
to University programs will take years to recover.  In the meantime we see 
the impact with higher class sizes, potential loss of quality teaching, and 
higher student fees.

      We also had other alternatives to get the necessary funding for 
education.  Rep. Donna Boe and I introduced two bills to place a 50% and a 
100% moratorium on the personal income tax cut approved last year.  The 50% 
moratorium would have yielded $30 million or just about to maintain a level 
of last years' funding for education.  Rep. Boe and I were told we would be 
given a hearing (twice by the Chair of Rev and Tax), and then she simply 
closed the committee down and we were denied the opportunity.

      I also tried to amend the appropriation bill for the State Tax 
Commission to hire 22 tax auditors.  The State Tax Commission 
conservatively estimates the auditors could collect an additional $7- $10 
million dollars.  My move was defeated 48-19.  The Tax Commission estimates 
there are 40,000 non-filers who owe more than $90 million in unpaid 
taxes.  I don't see how legislators can defend not going after 
non-filers.  We who pay taxes are subsidizing who don't pay their taxes.

2. School Facilities  --  SB 1474 passed the House.  This bill will allow 
the State to pay 10% of the interest on school bonds.  The effective date 
is Sept 15/02.  I had some concerns with the legislation because it 
utilized countywide unemployment and per capita data in the formula.  Our 
rural school districts have much higher unemployment and lower per capita 
income rates.  I supported the bill with the understanding of coming back 
next year and amending the bill to include school district data where 
available.

3. Capitol Security Prevents Possible Terrorist Penetration  --  Thursday I 
purchased a St. Patrick's Day card and balloon for Rep. Ruby Stone who 
organizes the St. Pat's celebration in the House.  Upon entering the 
Capitol two security guards wanted me to turn the balloon over to them; 
however, I was able to convince them that I was not a terrorist.  Once 
inside, I placed the balloon on Rep. Stone's desk and left for a 
meeting.  When I came back the balloon was gone.  The doorkeeper reported 
that two other security guards had confiscated the balloon because they 
thought it might have poison gas in it.  I compliment our guardians of 
justice.  This is part of the payoff from the $750,000 we have invested in 
Capitol security.  The blockades around the Capitol will be taken down just 
as the Legislators leave.

4. Announcement  --  this is simply an announcement that I will be running 
for my current seat in the Idaho Legislature for the next term.

5. Communications  -- As I will be returning home to Moscow, please use my 
ttrail@moscow.com address - not my statehouse address.

Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 5