LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER XIV--April 12-17

Constituents:

     It looks like we'll hanging around Boise at least one more week.  One major accomplishment is that an agreement has been struck with the Legislature and Governor regarding how personnel cuts will be handled and how some of the stimulus monies will be utilized.  This leaves basically some transportation initiatives that the Senate and the Governor are still trying to push ahead. The Governor achieved a major victory last Friday with the passage of GARVEE Bond funding totaling some $89 million for Idaho roads.   I supported the legislation.   Here are some other items of interest.

       1.  Moscow Community Walk--The Moscow Community Walk will be held next week in Moscow.  Participants will gather at 12:30 pm in Friendship Square.  The goal of the Walk to consider that at least at one moment in time we can celebrate our commonalities and well as our differences.  After the initial ceremony participants will walk to Eastside Park where food, activities, and program activities will take place.  HCR12 sponsored by Representative Ringo and myself provided legislative recognition more the event.

       2. Economic News--One positive item is that $7,000,000 more than anticipated came in last month from taxes to the State General Fund.   On the downside, we had a report today by Roger Madsen, Director of the Department of Labor.  Our unemployment rate is at about 7.2%.  Director Madsen said that 110,000 Idahoans are looking for work and that there are only about 4,000 jobs now being advertized.

       In 2008 $237,000,000 was paid out in unemployment benefits.   So far this year more than $210,000,000 has been paid out for unemployment benefits.  We met in the House Human Resources Committee today and passed a bill that will take advantage of stimulus money and provided an extension of benefits. The unemployment rate in Oregon and Washington is almost at the 10% level and California is already in double digits. Utah, Montana, and Wyoming are in the 5-6% unemployment bracket.  Director Madsen does not see too many bright spots on the immediate horizon.

       3.  SB1148--The Governor's bill to expand the number of liquor licenses in the state went down to defeat in the House on a 42-28 vote.   His plan would have reformed the 62 year old quota system.  Many legislators said provisions of the state Constitution to promote temperance and morality would be undermined if more businesses were able to offer hard drinks.  Testimony during the debate also cited that crime rates had risen in state where similar legislation had been passed. It was also evident that not all the stakeholders had been invited to the table to be involved in the Governor's proposal.

     This is a relatively short report, and I hope that the next newsletter is the last one.  We have the transportation issues, appropriations bills, and a few education bills left on the agenda.  Again, I appreciate hearing from constituents. My e mail is ttrail@house.idaho.gov. 

Representative Tom Trail

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