Senator Schroeder and I have been working with Senator Evan Frasure, Chairman
of the Idaho Senate Transportation Committee, to hold a public meeting on
Highway 95 in Moscow.
The meeting is set for October 14th from noon to 2:00 pm. in the Moscow City
Hall Chambers. Senator Frasure and the Idaho Department of Transportation
will facilitate the hearing. Senator Frasure also wants to discuss a
future Moscow bypass.
Senator Frasure cast the deciding negative vote in Committee against the
House passedlegislation that would have placed a measure on the ballot for
Idaho citizens to vote on a major upgrading ($400 million) of Highway 95.
This
spring the Senator and his wife drove the entire length of 95 and Sen. Frasure
became "converted" or a least a strong supporter of improving 95. He will
be holding a series of public hearings from Bonners Ferry to McCall in October.
He is planning on crafting a major piece of legislation to support an
accelerated schedule of improving 95. We encourage your participation.
Economic note--Senator Frasure who also sits on JFAX reports that the
State ended up with a $18 million surplus from the last fiscal year plus
the rainy day fund. The state received $4 million more in tax receipts
in August than anticipated and is projecting a $10 million surplus by
the end of December. It appears that we may approach the start of the 98
legislative session with a $30 million surplus. There will be increased
requests from corrections, k-12 education, Higher Education, transportation
and welfare, but at least we will be in a much better position than the past
year.
Rep. Tom Trail/District 5
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
2039 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel: (208) 882-6077
Fax: (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail@moscow.com