LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER VIII--FEBRUARY 19-23/2007
 

Well, Boise did appear white this week with two days of snow. It certainly makes skiers and water users happy since the snow pack is only about 50% of normal. Fortunately, most of the reservoirs are almost full from last years above average snow pack. Tempers are picking up a bit as move into the home stretch of the legislature. Committee meetings are starting earlier, and we spend more time debating a long string of bills. We are also doing some preliminary packing in getting ready to move everything out of our offices and out of the Capitol to the Old but now renovated Ada County Courthouse. Reconstruction on the Capitol will start almost immediately after we leave here in late March. Some legislators have been a bit edgy because of some Norway Water Rats seen roaming the halls of our supposedly new quarters in the Old Ada County Courthouse. Here are some of this week's highlights:

1. HB121 -- This bill to ban smoking in bowling alleys passed the House on a 48-17 vote. The opposition stressed this was a violation of property rights but those who saw it as a threat to public health prevailed. It goes on to the Senate.

2. HB172 -- This is legislation sponsored by Representative Ringo and myself. It would provide victims of domestic violence protection of their address information. The Secretary of State would become the guardian or postmaster for victims who qualified under the law and guard their addresses. Victims would have protection in all local, regional, and state domains. The legislation is based on Washington State law passed in 1991. Their program covers over 3,000 people and has been very successful. About 19 other states have adopted this program. The statutes were drafted by Professor Elizabeth Brandt of the University of Idaho Law College. A victim of domestic violence who had lived in five states under assumed names and changing her social security number for 27 years stepped forward to testify. Her ex-husband had died recently and so came forward to testify about the terror and brutality that she had suffered. The bill passed out of the House Jud and Rules Committee, but will have to go back for several amendments.

3. HB184 -- This was the minimum wage bill which raised the minimum wage to $7.25/hr and follows the U.S. standard (assuming it is passed). I voted against the bill since it did not include the CPI to adjust for inflation. Oregon, Montana, and Washington all have the built in adjustor for inflation and economic studies indicate that it actually stimulates the economy. In Moscow we have qualified workers who will cross the state line to Pullman and earn more money at basic skill jobs because the minimum wage is higher.

4. HB203 -- Rep. Mack Shirley and I will be presenting this bill on the floor of the House on Monday. This bill is called the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Bill. Idaho has critical shortages of teachers in the areas of math, science, special education and a number of other areas. Rural areas are especially hard hit in trying to attract qualified teachers. The program would forgive 20% of a student's loan up to $5,000/year for five years for each year the individual taught in Idaho. Students in Colleges of Education and currently practicing teachers could qualify for the program. The initial request is for $500,000 and the program would run over a 5 year period.

5. HB206 -- The Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Program -- I worked with the State Board in crafting the legislative proposal. Governor Otter liked the bill and is proposing that we use $38 million of one time monies to set up an endowment fund under the Sec. of the Treasury. This would generate about $2 million/year for scholarship for low and low middle income students. The bill comes up on the House Ed Committee on Monday for a vote.

6. HCR9 -- Legislative Congratulations to the University of Idaho's College of Engineering on its 100 anniversary. This resolution passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate.

7. A bill that would have slowed drivers by 5 mph on Idaho freeways was killed in a Senate Committee. Hundreds of e-mails came in from citizens against the change.

8. College for Immigrants' children -- This legislation was introduced into the House Education Committee. It is a plan to encourage the children of illegal immigrants in Idaho to attend college. The bill would allow undocumented students the same fee rates and state tuition given to state citizens. Candidates would have to show proof of trying to gain citizenship and have lived in the state for three years.

That's all for this week. I'd like to hear your comments and questions. My e-mail is ttrail@house.idaho.gov and phone 208-332-1260.

Representative Tom Trail

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