|
LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER 5 January 28-Feb 1, 2008
Constituents:
The big news around Idaho this week has been winter weather.
Boise has received some snow but still remains the banana belt city. Many legislators stayed home this weekend simply because traveling conditions were so bad. Phil the groundhog apparently is predicting more winter, but we should be preparing for some flooding. Here are some of the news highlights.
1.
SB1260 -- Dog fighting/felony penalty -- The full Senate voted for the measure 31-4. The bill now goes on to the House Judiciary and Rules Committee. Rep. Mike Moyle, Majority Leader, said in an interview that he thought the bill would go through. Just two more steps and it will go to the Governor's desk.
2.
SPI Luna's ISTARS Program - The Senate Education Committee was supposed to vote on the measure this last Wednesday, but the vote has been postponed. There are all sorts of rumors that we don't have enough money to fund it with tough economic times ahead. Other rumors indicate the plan is being reworked. But it seems to have slipped out of the news for a while.
3.
Grocery Tax -- The Governor, the Democrats, and the Republicans all have their own proposals. It does seem that there is more willingness to come up with a compromise. I just hope that the sales tax on groceries is taken off at the cash register. This approach will avoid a lot of paper work and will also reach all those who purchase groceries.
4.
Senate Education Committee to Question Members of the State Board Over $1.4 million Deficit. All 8 members of the SBOE will be questioned over their role in violations of state accounting standards that resulted in the agency's $1.4 million deficit last year. Chairman of the Board Terrell, described the financial debacle as "pathetic." He also added the SBOE is now solvent.
5.
Sex Offenders -- The House Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to send a proposal to the House floor that would require electronic monitoring of violent sexual predators on probation or parole. This bill should pass.
6.
Anti-Sudan Bill -- Sen. Tim Corder introduced a bill that would require PERSE to identify companies that are significantly invested in Sudan and pull investments from those companies that do not cease operations in Sudan within 15 months. Divestment is aimed at sending a message to the Sudanese government to stop genocide in Darfur. It is estimated this would only affect about $25 million of PERSI's ten billion dollar portfolio.
Bills are being introduced at an accelerating rate. This is all for this week. I'd like to hear your comments and recommendations. My e mail is ttrail@house.idaho.gov and my phone is 208-332-1184.
Representative Tom Trail
|
