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PRE-ELECTION LETTER
Constituents:
November 2nd is fast approaching, and the important thing is to get out and vote. I would
like to discuss some of the important issues facing the State as we approach the next session.
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Financial Status--The only good news is that tax receipts are ahead of projections by about $80 million. There is a projected $140 million shortfall in Medicaid primarily because Congress did not pass the required appropriation late in the session. There is an estimated that we might be facing a total of a $350 million shortfall this next session.
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Taxes--We can move ahead to recover some taxes. This would include hiring more tax auditors to go after individuals who do not pay their taxes. We get a return of $15 for every $1 invested. We should also move forward to professionalize our Idaho State Tax Commission. There is evidence from 8 current or former auditors of the Commission that "sweetheart" deals are cut between commission members and large corporations from out of state. One example is a out of state business that owed $10 million and the Commission settled for $2 million. No Idaho taxpayer would get that break.
We also need to consider taxing internet sales. This could bring in an additional estimated $60 million a year. This option requires careful study. I've advocated that we need to set up a system to carefully review each one of the 75 tax exemptions that we grant to organizations. This total up to over $1.7 billion/year. Each organization should be required to provide evidence that the exemption does provide a benefit to the state. Those that do not meet the test should be eliminated and the funds from the exemption should go into the state general fund which could then be used to fund priority programs.
3. Strengthen the Economy, Support Our Small Businesses, and Create Jobs -- Small businesses who create most of the jobs need assistance in
1) increased access to loans at reasonable rates, 2)
assurance that national and state tax rates remain stable or even reduced, 3) extension of the Bush tax cuts--if the tax cuts are not extended after January 1, 2011 this means almost a trillion dollars in new
taxes, 4) zoning and the ordinance process at local and county level need to be streamlined, 5) certain tax credits need to be considered to help stimulate the economy, and 6) support for K-12 and Higher Education
which trains the work force.
I received the endorsement from the National Federation of Small Businesses
4. I support restoring the $128 million cut from the public
education budget, and the $22 million for the University of Idaho.
We are currently faced with 4 day school days, larger classes, fewer class days, teacher salaries cuts, etc. The way we are headed we might soon become a Third World Education System.
5. The Upper Lochsa Land Takeaway--The U.S. Forest Service proposes to sell/trade 28,000 acres in N. Idaho in exchange for 40,000 checker board acres in the remote Upper Lochsa to Western Pacific
Timber—a land development company. About 7,000 acres would be in Latah County representing some of the best hunting, fishing, berry and mushroom gathering and hiking in N. Idaho; the other counties are
Clearwater, Idaho, and Benewah counties.
If this ill-advised and highly unpopular exchange goes through, citizens would be denied access to these areas. WPT has a reputation for clear cutting and damaging the habitat. We are working with citizens, local/ state/national elected officials to try and work out a purchase option which would protect our forest lands and wildlife for citizens and their children.
6. Prevent U.S. Oil Companies from Transporting 500,000 lb. loads over Highway 12--It is now proposed that almost 250 of these loads would go over Highway 12 to Montana.
The Idaho taxpayer will pay for much of the project since permit fees won't cover all of the costs. There are major concerns about the impact on the highway, environmental concerns, and no compensation plan for small businesses along the highway in case of a major accident. I've been working with local citizens groups, various organizations and elected officials to try and prevent Highway 12 from becoming a big time commercial highway rather than the scenic wilderness highway that it was intended to be.
Those are some of the issues facing us this year and in the future. Please remember to get out and vote. I'd appreciate your vote.
Rep. Tom Trail
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