[Vision2020] Rep. Trail Legislative Update V - February 4-7, 2003

Sun, 9 Feb 2003 21:53:10 -0600

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Dear Constituents:

Week VI of the Idaho Legislative session moved forward with the
introduction of a number bills.   The last minute deadline for the
introduction of personal bills is past.   Here are some of the
highlights.

1.  JFAC visit to Moscow  --  On Saturday, February 8th, Rep. Maxine
Bell and Sen. Dean Cameron, Co-Chairs of JFAC came to Moscow to solicit
public input in regard to the State revenue stream and budget.   The
meeting was held in town hall fashion and attended by an estimated
150-200 local citizens.  Over 35 citizens made public comment.

Those who attended were supportive of the Governor's facility bonding
initiative.  This initiative would move forward with the building of the
various facilities on the permanent building list cancelled with the
budget deficit of last year.  This new initiative would generate an
estimated economic activity of more than $170 million and create over
2,400 jobs.  The impact in Moscow with the construction of the
University Teaching-Learning Center would generate an estimated
$25,000,000 impact and create over 250 jobs.

In general participants were supportive of the Governor's proposed1.5
percent sales tax increase to support education and other state
essential services.   There was much disagreement as to whether or not
the sales tax was the best form of tax increase.  Many attendees thought
the tax cuts of last year should be eliminated (Rep. Boe and I
introduced such legislation in the 2002 session and were never allowed a
hearing).  Increases in the income tax were often cited as the fairest
way to go.  I feel the sales tax is very regressive in terms of sales
tax on food.  Sen. Joe Stegner, Dist. 6, who accompanied the JFAC
Co-chairs , said  that citizens at hearings in Lewiston, Sandpoint, and
Coeur d'Alene expressed similar concerns.  In the end, the sales tax may
be the fastest way to pump money into the General Fund, but many people
agreed that the sunset clause after three years should be enforced.
Last week on Boise TV Sen. Cameron stated that with the fall off of
January tax receipts that the Governor's proposal was becoming more of a
reality.

2.  Future Tax Policy  --  Economists predict that Idaho is faced with
3-4 years of slow economic growth.  Public Hearing attendees were
supportive of examining the Idaho Tax Structure.  Rep. Andersen and I
introduced legislation (defeated) that called for lowering the sales tax
from 5% to 4% and then eliminating many exemptions resulting in an
increase of $130 million for the General Fund.   I also had a bill to
form a Interim Tax Study Committee.  Legislative leadership has agreed
to a committee to study tax policy and all exemptions this coming
summer.   Potential legislation emerging from the tax force may have
great future implications in developing a fairer tax system.  Idaho is
also losing out on $70 million on Internet sales/yr.  Congress has a
moratorium on internet sales tax but pressure is growing among the
states to change this policy.   Wal-Mart and Target have started to
reimburse states for the sales tax on their internet sales.

3.  Restricted Use of Public Funds  --  a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim
Clark that precludes the use of public funds for public elections,  use
of "educational programming" to promote bond issues (example the $20,000
for the Latah Co. Courthouse bond issue), and the use of public funds
for university students to use in political campaigns.  This bill will
generate a great deal of debate.

4.  Judicial Election Reform  --  Rep. David Beiter and I Co-sponsored
this bill and it was approved in the Judiciary and Rules Committee by an
8-7 vote.   Both the American and Idaho Bar Associations are concerned
with protecting the independence and integrity of our court system.  The
cost of elections in Idaho has increased more than 300% in the past 8
years.  The average Supreme Court Race now costs over $150,000, and in
Texas and Michigan several races went over the $1,000,000 mark.   Rep.
Beiter and I are excited about this close passage of the bill in
committee as this will allow for a public hearing on the bill.  I'm also
a sponsor of bill to establish an Interim Committee to study the way
judges are elected/selected and public financing.

5.  Seat Belt Legislation  --  a hearing on seat belt legislation will
probably come up within the next several weeks.  Carrie Bitterwolf's
class has been working closely with the bill's sponsor, Phyllis Smith,
and is preparing a presentation for the committee.

Please send your comments, recommendations and inquiries to me at 
ttrail@house.state.id.us,
tel:  208-332-1202.

You can send in your comments and recommendations to me via
ttrail@house.state.id.us,
Tel:  208-332-1202, and the mailing address is Idaho State Legislature,
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0038.

Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 6

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<div class=3DSection1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Dear =
Constituents:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'text-indent:.5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none'><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Week VI of the Idaho Legislative session =
moved forward
with the introduction <span class=3DGramE>of a number bills</span>.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The last minute deadline =
for the
introduction of personal bills is past.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Here are some of the =
highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

1.&nbsp; JFAC visit to =
<st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></s=
t1:City>&nbsp; =
--&nbsp; On Saturday, February 8th, Rep. =
Maxine
Bell and Sen. Dean Cameron, Co-Chairs of JFAC came to =
<st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>
to solicit public input in regard to the State revenue stream and =
budget.&nbsp;&nbsp; The meeting was held in =
town hall
fashion and attended by an estimated 150-200 local =
citizens.&nbsp; Over 35 citizens made public =
comment.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

Those who attended were supportive of the =
Governor's
facility bonding initiative.&nbsp; =
This initiative
would move forward with the building of the various facilities on the =
permanent
building list cancelled with the budget deficit of last year. &nbsp;This new initiative would =
generate an
estimated economic activity of more than $170 million and create over =
2,400
jobs.&nbsp; The impact in =
<st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>
with the construction of the University Teaching-Learning Center would =
generate
an estimated $25,000,000 impact and create over 250 jobs.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

In =
general
participants were supportive of the Governor's proposed1.5 percent sales =
tax increase
to support education and other state essential services.&nbsp;&nbsp; There was much =
disagreement as to
whether or not the sales tax was the best form of tax increase.&nbsp; Many attendees thought the tax =
cuts of
last year should be eliminated (Rep. Boe and =
I
introduced such legislation in the 2002 session and were never allowed a
hearing).&nbsp; Increases in the =
income
tax were often cited as the fairest way to go.&nbsp; I feel the sales tax is very =
regressive
in terms of sales tax on food.&nbsp; =
Sen.
Joe Stegner, Dist. 6, who accompanied the =
JFAC Co-chairs , said &nbsp;that
citizens at hearings in =
<st1:City><st1:place>Lewiston</st1:place></st1:City>,
Sandpoint, and <st1:City><st1:place>Coeur d'Alene</st1:place></st1:City>
expressed similar concerns.&nbsp; =
In the
end, the sales tax may be the fastest way to pump money into the General =
Fund,
but many people agreed that the sunset clause after three years should =
be
enforced.&nbsp; Last week on =
Boise TV
Sen. Cameron stated that with the fall off of January tax receipts that =
the
Governor&#8217;s proposal was becoming more of a reality.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

2.&nbsp;
Future Tax Policy&nbsp;
--&nbsp; Economists predict that =
<st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
is faced with 3-4 years of slow economic growth.&nbsp; Public Hearing attendees were =
supportive
of examining the Idaho Tax Structure. &nbsp;Rep. Andersen and I introduced
legislation (defeated) that called for lowering the sales tax from 5% to =
4% and
then eliminating many exemptions resulting in an increase of $130 =
million for
the General Fund.&nbsp;&nbsp; I =
also had
a bill to form a Interim Tax Study =
Committee.&nbsp; Legislative leadership has =
agreed to a
committee to study tax policy and all exemptions this coming =
summer.&nbsp;&nbsp; Potential legislation =
emerging from
the tax force may have great future implications in developing a fairer =
tax
system.&nbsp; =
<st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
is also losing out on $70 million on Internet sales/yr.&nbsp; Congress has a moratorium on =
internet
sales tax but pressure is growing among the states to change this =
policy.&nbsp;&nbsp; Wal-Mart and Target have =
started
to reimburse states for the sales tax on their internet =
sales.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'text-indent:.5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>3.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>Restricted Use of Public <span class=3DGramE>Funds <span =
style=3D'font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>--</span></span></span></font></b=
><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim =
Clark that
precludes the use of public funds for public elections,<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>use of &quot;educational
programming&quot; to promote bond issues (example the $20,000 for the =
Latah Co.
Courthouse bond issue), and the use of public funds for university =
students to
use in political campaigns.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>This
bill will generate a great deal of debate.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

4.&nbsp;
Judicial Election Reform&nbsp; =
--&nbsp; Rep. David Beiter and I =
Co-sponsored
this bill and it was approved in the Judiciary and Rules Committee by an =
8-7
vote.&nbsp;&nbsp; Both the =
American and
Idaho Bar Associations are concerned with protecting the independence =
and
integrity of our court system.&nbsp; =
The
cost of elections in <st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> =
has
increased more than 300% in the past 8 years.&nbsp; The average Supreme Court Race =
now costs
over $150,000, and in =
<st1:State><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:State> and =
<st1:State><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:State>
several races went over the $1,000,000 mark.&nbsp;&nbsp; Rep. Beiter and I are =
excited about
this close passage of the bill in committee as this will allow for a =
public
hearing on the bill.&nbsp; I'm =
also a
sponsor of bill to establish an Interim Committee to study the way =
judges are
elected/selected and public financing.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'text-indent:.5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none'><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>5.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>Seat Belt <span class=3DGramE>Legislation<span =
style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>--</span></span></span></font></b><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>a hearing on seat belt =
legislation will
probably come up within the next several weeks.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Carrie Bitterwolf's class has =
been
working closely with the bill's sponsor, Phyllis Smith, and is preparing =
a presentation
for the committee.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Please send your
comments, recommendations and inquiries to me at =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>ttrail@house.state.id.us,<o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><span
class=3DSpellE><span class=3DGramE><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>tel</span></font></span></span>:<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>208-332-1202.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>You =
can send in
your comments and recommendations to me via =
ttrail@house.state.id.us,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

Tel:&nbsp; 208-332-1202, and the mailing =
address is
Idaho State Legislature, <st1:address><st1:Street>P.O. Box =
83720</st1:Street>,
 <st1:City>Boise</st1:City>, <st1:State>ID</st1:State> =
<st1:PostalCode>83720-0038</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>.<o:p></o:p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Rep. =
</span></font><st1:PersonName>Tom
 Trail</st1:PersonName>/Dist. 6<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

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