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LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER 6 February 4-8, 2008
Constituents:
Winter is certainly on the minds of many here in the Legislature. We had snow at least three
times this week, but the weather in North Idaho was brutal. Latah County Commissioners Barrett and Stroshein were here this week for the State County Commissioners meeting. They had to stay over until Friday because
roads were closed because of avalanches and drifting. Temperatures are now up to 45 degrees today and fortunately with no rain. Flooding will be the next problem.
This was also the week of
the walking wounded in Boise.
Fortunately, Sen. Clint Stennett returned to the Senate after an operation to remove a cancerous brain tumor. Governor Otter is successfully recovering from a hip replacement operation. Rep. Dennis Lake collapsed on Thursday while debating a bill. It apparently was a very mild stroke, and he will return to the House on Monday.
My wife and I enjoyed attending a talk by Greg Mortenson, the author of the best selling book, Three Cups of Tea (over 1,000,000 soft back copies sold last year).
While climbing K2 (the second tallest mountain in the world) he got lost on the descent and wandered into an isolated mountain village. The villagers saved his life and he vowed to build the village a school especially for girls. It took him three years to collect the $12,000 to build the first school. Since 1996 through the Central Asian Institute his organization has built 64 schools in isolated areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is interesting to note that he receives more hate mail and threats from Muslims in the U.S. than from Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan for building schools for Muslim girls. The book is a great read. And now for some legislative news.
1.
Economy and Budget -- the tax revenue stream for January came in $39,000,000 under projections. These figures were reflective of JFAC considering to lower the state employee raises from 5% to 3%. Other major budget items will certainly be under the axe if February figures continue on a downward trend. There is also a good indication that we will be in Boise until March 31st.
2.
ISTARs -- The downturn in the economy has negatively impacted on the amount that SPI Tom Luna wanted to fund the program. He originally wanted $65 million but that is now pared down to below $30 million. With much opposition and a negative Attorney General's opinion against the proposed Category 4 Contract -- the Category 4 Contract is now off the negotiating table. The IEA is working to develop a faster process to help move poor performing teachers out of the education field. Another aspect being discussed is to develop a fairer evaluation system for teachers that is more consistent, reliable, and valid. We are still early enough in the session that some compromise may come through.
3.
Beginning Teacher Salaries -- currently the starting salary for teachers in Idaho is $31,000, but for the next 5-6 years they can hardly move up the salary scale because of the way it is set up. The House Education Committee expressed major concern to JFAC to try and work on correcting this problem. About 40% of new teachers leave the field during their first five years.
4.
Protection from ID Theft -- SB1380 has been approved for print which would allow consumers to freeze their credit reports. The bill would allow consumers to ask each of the three main credit reporting bureaus to prevent the bureaus from issuing consumers' credit histories, summaries of loans and payments that form credit scores. Most lenders will not provide credit without first reviewing a credit report, which hinders identity thieves from using stolen information to open new credit accounts. This is a good piece of consumer protection legislation.
5.
Shield Law Protects Victims -- The House and Jud Rules Committee approved for printing a bill that would make the Idaho Secretary of State's Office the mailing address for people hiding from stalkers or dangerous former partners. Rep. Shirley Ringo, Dr. Liz Brandt, U. of Idaho College of Law, and I brought this bill forward on behalf of a citizen's group seeking to combat domestic violence in the Palouse.
6. Legislation That I'm Working On -- I've had a number of requests for me to list my active legislative efforts.
a. HCR36 --- This is a resolution honoring the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and receiving the National Performing Arts Medal -- sponsors, Rep. Ringo and Trail and Sen. Schroeder.
b. Shield Law -- Reps Ringo and Trail. (see my description in item 5 above)
c. Loan Forgiveness for Teachers -- this was approved in print by the House Education Committee. This is act as an incentive to recruit teachers to teach in hard to fill subject areas such as science, math, special education, etc. A qualified educator would get up to $4,000/year in loan forgiveness for each year he/she taught in Idaho. This would be good up to a total of $20,000. The sponsors are Reps. Mortimer and Trail.
d. Normalizing Trade Relations with Cuba -- I traveled with the Governor's Trade Mission to Cuba in April. The Governor asked me to develop a resolution asking the President and Congress to normalize trade relations with Cuba. Not many of us remember that Cuba was the #1 market for Idaho peas and lentils in 1959. We see trade possibilities for Idaho agricultural products with Cuba. The larger question is simply "Why do we have such a double diplomatic standard with Cuba when we have normalized trade and diplomatic relations with China, Viet Nam, and many other communist countries?" The Cuba Lobby in Florida is the answer. I'm working with the Governor on this piece of legislation.
e. Pre-K Education -- I'm a co-sponsor on a Pre-K bill with Sen. Schroeder that would allow school districts to offer Pre-K education programs. There would be no state funding.
f. Filling Civil Office Vacancies and Bike Safety Laws -- Mayor Nancy Chaney and the Moscow City Council asked me to work on two bills relating to these topics. I'm currently working with the Idaho Association of Counties and Cities in reviewing the legislative proposals.
g. Electronic Waste Disposal-Over 100,000,000 computers, cell phones, etc. are dumped in landfills every year. There are many dangerous metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc. that can leach into the aquifers. I had the help of Andy Boyd of the Moscow Recycling Center in developing the legislation. However, we need to get more input from the industry between sessions before we introduce the bill.
There are a number of other pieces of legislation that I am working on, but I will update you on those later.
I'd appreciate your comments and recommendations. My e mail is ttrail@house.idaho.gov and
telephone 208-332-1184.
Representative Trail
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