SINE DIE NEWSLETTER

Constituents:

I'll be outlining some of the major legislation that represented the good, the bad, and the ugly of the recent Idaho Legislative Session.

 1.  Stimulus Funds  --  many constituents have asked about the impact of stimulus funds in Idaho.   The Governor's Office reported to me that $145 million was used for eight major highway projects.  Since contracts came in under bid by $45 million  --  these savings were used for eight other projects. The funds created about 2,100 jobs. The Community Action Program in Region 2 received a major grant for weatherization programs.  About 150 jobs were created through this effort.

 2. Budgets  --  The state had to figure out how to live within its means. Tax revenues are down by almost $600 million compared to the 2006-07 period.    The K-12 and Higher Education's budgets are down by 7.5% and 22% in the past two years. About $135 million in Medicaid bills will remain unpaid until after July 1st. Some school districts will ask voters for emergency property tax increases. The Moscow School District will lose about $1.3 million in state funding this year. This means a loss of teacher and staff positions, larger classes, and a decrease in essential resources for students.  If the Governor and legislative leaders think that Idaho is attractive to out-of-state businesses then they should also consider that these same corporations look very closely at the viability and strength of the state's educational system.

 3. Taxes-tax increases stayed off the table as well as tax cuts.  The Governor has instructed his staff to look at the pros and cons of repealing the state's $1.75 billion in sales tax breaks.  Budget reserves are depleted and the sales tax structure continues to look weak. Tax exemptions could be one of the major issues for the next session.  Internet taxes were off the table this session.  It amazes me that some legislators fear to even look at joining a multi-state pact that would help Idaho collect taxes on Internet sales. This would help Idaho merchants compete with on line retailers.  In a more positive mode, JFAC did authorize the hiring of more tax auditors to go after those not paying an estimated $200 million in taxes. The return on hiring these auditors is generally a 1-10 return.

 4.  Idaho Parks will stay open. We were pleased that Dvorshak State Park will stay open. The future of the Parks system still remains in doubt.

 5.  PERSI 1% COLA -- The House voted the 1% COLA for retirees down, but the Senate refused to hear the bill.  Therefore, PERSI retirees enjoy a bit of a brighter future. I thought the Legislature was trying some micro management in going against the PERSI Board who has managed one of the top funds of its type in the U.S. Many other states have their pension funds in critical condition - the State of Illinois, for example, has borrowed more that $50 million from the state pension fund, so we must be ever vigilant.

 6.  The Governor wanted to eliminate a number of small agencies.  The Human Rights Commission will now be housed with the Department of Labor.  Idaho Public Television only suffered a relatively small cut.  Other smaller agencies were cut back but not as much as the Governor proposed.

 7.  Broadband -- Legislators agreed to keep the Idaho Education Network moving ahead by spending $3 million from the Albertson Foundation.  The IEN appears to be delivering quality education programs to students around the state. Control of the IEN is now in the hand of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

 8.  Texting -- at the last minute a compromise solution to cracking down on texting failed.  Many constituents communicated to me that the use of cell phones while driving should be banned.

 9. Conscience Bill  --  lawmakers approved the bill.  Their goal is to allow health care professionals the freedom to follow their conscience.  It may, however, have the impact of restricting patients' access to legally and constitutionally protected services.

10.  Voter ID  --  although the Secretary of State reported there is no documented voter fraud in Idaho, the Legislature in its wisdom passed legislation that will now require voters to show official photo ID when they vote. Absentee voters will not be impacted by the bill.

11.  A number of major initiatives failed to find traction during the session. These included legislation including animal cruelty, bike safety, urban renewal issues, and immigration.

12.  Idaho Soil Conservation -- HB576 passed.  The ISCC will now be reorganized and held more accountable.  As sponsor of major legislation regarding security breaches and protection of citizen personal data and information when handled by state employees, I was pleased to see the legislation pass without a negative vote.

These are some of the legislative highlights.  Many of you can breathe a

sigh of relief.  As Mark Twain once said, "No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session."  I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.  My e mail is ttrail@moscow.com

Rep. Tom Trail

This site created and maintained by InfoTrail consulting.