[Vision2020] Rep. Trail Legislative Update III -- January 20-24, 2003

Tom Trail RepTrail@infotrail.com
Sun, 26 Jan 2003 17:18:55 -0600


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_0025_01C2C55F.026677F0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Dear Visionaries:
 
The third week of the Idaho 57th Legislative session brought about a
flurry in the introduction of personal bills to be introduced to various
committees.   University presidents and staff spent the week making
presentations to JFAC and talking to legislators.   The Senate passed
the Death Penalty bill 34-1 giving juries the right to set the death
penalty.  The Highlights:
 
 1.  Meeting with Governor Kempthorne  --  Rep. Ringo and I met for 30
minutes with the Governor on Thursday.   He emphasized his 1 1/2 cent
sales tax increase to support education, Medicaid, and child support
programs.   He said that he will be going out to speak to various
citizens groups throughout the state to drum up support for his plan.
He will be taking various members of his Blue Ribbon Committee on this
tour.   We also understand that JFAC will be making some weekend tours
in the near future.  We urge citizens to get out and attend these
sessions to let the Governor and JFAC how you feel about these important
issues.
 
 2.  Tax Legislation  --  Rep. Anderson and I introduced a tax bill that
would have reduced the sales tax to 4% and eliminated some exemptions
thus raising about $132 million net for the General Fund.  Our proposal
to print the bill was defeated by a 15-3 vote;  however, at least
partially because of this effort the Speaker will appoint a Task Force
this summer to review and examine all aspects concerning tax exemptions
including increased accountability of exemption recipients to
demonstrate positive impact of the exemptions to the state's economy.
 
 3.  Tribute to Linda Pike  --  Linda completed six years (2 terms) on
the State Board of Tax Appeals.  Lyle Cobb,   Board Chairman, said that
Linda was the best and most productive member of the Board.   She
received tributes for her outstanding work from assessors, county
commissioners, and taxpayers.   I want to thank Linda for her sensitive
and dedicated service to our State.
 
4.  Legislation that I introduced this week  --  many of these come
about via constituent request:
 
      a.  School facilities  --  I introduced several bills regarding
this topic.  One bill would divert $55 million from the utilities
exemption for a period of 10 years and place it in a school building
account that could be used for both public schools and higher education.
The second bill will try to amend SB1474 which provides that the state
will pay 10% of the interest on school bonds.  I want to change the
funding formula which discriminates against poorer, rural districts.   I
want to replace county figures for unemployment and per capita income
for free and reduced lunch figures which are school district specific.
If this would be adopted then all figures for the formula would be
district specific. District such as Kendrick-Julietta would move from
10% to 40% under the formula adjustment.
 
     b.  Iraq Resolution  --  This resolution came about via a request
from Janet Fiske, recent recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship award
made by the Moscow Rotary Club.  Rep. Ringo and I have sent the
resolution to the State Affairs Committee.  The resolution encourages
President Bush to work through the UN in resolving the Iraqi situation.
 
    c.   County and City Travel and Per Diem Rates  --  this legislation
would have all county and city entities set travel and per diem policy
not to exceed the rate followed by the State.
 
    d.   Recycled Oil  --  This is an environmentally friendly bill
which would encourage state agencies to use recycled oil.  The U.S.
currently uses over 500,000 barrels of recycled oil/day which helps in
cutting down on our overseas dependency on imported oil.
 
    e.   State Guaranteed Support for Timber Dependent School
Districts  --  three years ago HB513 provided a tax break for timberland
owners.   For about 12 school districts this meant that farmers,
business owners, and property owners had to pick up the difference.
Rep. Ringo and I are introducing legislation that would ask the state to
pick up the difference until property taxes in the district reached a
level last achieved in December 31, 1999.
 
    f.  Judicial Election Reform  --  I'm working with a number of other
legislators on various pieces of legislation that would help ensure the
independence and integrity of Supreme Court and Appellate Court judges.
 
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
 
 
 

------=_NextPart_000_0025_01C2C55F.026677F0
Content-Type: text/html;
	charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" =
xmlns:w=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" =
xmlns:st1=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">

<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=3D"Content-Type" CONTENT=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dus-ascii">


<meta name=3DProgId content=3DWord.Document>
<meta name=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 10">
<meta name=3DOriginator content=3D"Microsoft Word 10">
<link rel=3DFile-List href=3D"cid:filelist.xml@01C2C55F.0156B5A0">
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"place"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"Street"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PostalCode"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"State"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"City"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"address"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"date"/>
<o:SmartTagType =
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
 name=3D"PersonName"/>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
  <o:DoNotRelyOnCSS/>
 </o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
 <w:WordDocument>
  <w:SpellingState>Clean</w:SpellingState>
  <w:GrammarState>Clean</w:GrammarState>
  <w:DocumentKind>DocumentEmail</w:DocumentKind>
  <w:EnvelopeVis/>
  <w:Compatibility>
   <w:BreakWrappedTables/>
   <w:SnapToGridInCell/>
   <w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
   <w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
  </w:Compatibility>
  <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
 </w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
 /* Style Definitions */
 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
	{mso-style-parent:"";
	margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:12.0pt;
	font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
	{color:blue;
	text-decoration:underline;
	text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
	{color:purple;
	text-decoration:underline;
	text-underline:single;}
p.MsoAutoSig, li.MsoAutoSig, div.MsoAutoSig
	{margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:12.0pt;
	font-family:"Times New Roman";
	mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle17
	{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
	mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
	font-family:Arial;
	mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;
	mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;
	mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
	color:windowtext;}
span.GramE
	{mso-style-name:"";
	mso-gram-e:yes;}
@page Section1
	{size:8.5in 11.0in;
	margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
	mso-header-margin:.5in;
	mso-footer-margin:.5in;
	mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
	{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
 /* Style Definitions */=20
 table.MsoNormalTable
	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
	mso-style-noshow:yes;
	mso-style-parent:"";
	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
	mso-para-margin:0in;
	mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
	font-size:10.0pt;
	font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</head>

<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple =
style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'>

<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 =
Visionaries:<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'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>The =
third week of
the </span></font><st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> =
57th
Legislative session brought about a flurry in the introduction of =
personal
bills to be introduced to various committees.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span>University presidents and staff spent the week making =
presentations to
JFAC and talking to legislators.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Senate
passed the Death Penalty bill 34-1 giving juries the right to set the =
death
penalty. <span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>The =
Highlights:<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>1.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Meeting with Governor <span =
class=3DGramE>Kempthorne<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--</span> <span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span></span></b>Rep. Ringo and I met =
for 30 minutes
with the Governor on Thursday.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He
emphasized his 1 1/2 cent sales tax increase to support education, =
Medicaid, and
child support programs.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; =
</span>He said that he
will be going out to speak to various citizens groups throughout the =
state to
drum up support for his plan.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>He will be
taking various members of his Blue Ribbon Committee on this tour.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>We also understand that =
JFAC will be making some
weekend tours in the near future.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>We
urge citizens to get out and attend these sessions to let the Governor =
and JFAC
how you feel about these important issues.<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'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>2.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Tax <span =
class=3DGramE>Legislation<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--</span><span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></b>Rep. Anderson and I introduced a tax bill that would =
have
reduced the sales tax to 4% and eliminated some exemptions thus raising =
about
$132 million net for the General Fund.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Our
proposal to print the bill was defeated by a 15-3 vote<span =
class=3DGramE>;<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>however</span>, at least =
partially because of
this effort the Speaker will appoint a Task Force this summer to review =
and
examine all aspects concerning tax exemptions including increased
accountability of exemption recipients to demonstrate positive impact of =
the
exemptions to the state's economy.<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'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>3.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Tribute to =
</span></b></span></font><st1:PersonName><b
 style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
 normal'>Linda <span =
class=3DGramE>Pike</span></span></b></st1:PersonName><span
class=3DGramE><span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>--</span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Linda completed six years (2 =
terms) on the
State Board of Tax Appeals.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>Lyle
Cobb,<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Board =
Chairman, said that Linda
was the best and most productive member of the Board.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>She received tributes for =
her outstanding
work from assessors, county commissioners, and taxpayers.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I want to thank Linda for =
her sensitive and dedicated
service to our State.<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'><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'>4=
.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Legislation that I introduced =
this <span
class=3DGramE>week<span style=3D'font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span></span>--</span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span></span></font></b>many of these =
come about
via constituent request:<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span =
class=3DGramE><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>a.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>School</span></b></span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> =
facilities<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span></span></b>I
introduced several bills regarding this topic.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>One bill would divert $55 million from the utilities exemption =
for a
period of 10 years and place it in a school building account that could =
be used
for both public schools and higher education.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>The second bill will try to amend <b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>SB1474 =
</span></b>which
provides that the state will pay 10% of the interest on school =
bonds.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>I want to change the funding =
formula which
discriminates against poorer, rural districts.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span>I want to replace county figures for unemployment and per capita =
income
for free and reduced lunch figures which are school district =
specific.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>If this would be adopted =
then all figures
for the formula would be district specific. District such as =
Kendrick-</span></font><st1:PersonName>Julietta</st1:PersonName>
would move from 10% to 40% under the formula adjustment.<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span =
class=3DGramE><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>b.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span></span></b></span></span></font><st1:country-region><st1:place><sp=
an
  class=3DGramE><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:
  =
bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Iraq</span></b></span></st1:place></st1=
:country-region><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'> Resolution<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>-- =
</span></b><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>This resolution came about via a =
request from
Janet Fiske, recent recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship award made =
by the
Moscow Rotary Club.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Rep. =
Ringo and I have
sent the resolution to the State Affairs Committee.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The resolution encourages =
President Bush to
work through the UN in resolving the Iraqi situation.<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>c.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>County and City Travel =
and Per Diem Rates<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span></span></b>this
legislation would have all county and city entities set travel and per =
diem
policy not to exceed the rate followed by the =
State.<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'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>d.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Recycled <span =
class=3DGramE>Oil<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--</span><span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></b>This is an environmentally friendly bill which would =
encourage
state agencies to use recycled oil.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The =
</span></font><st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:countr=
y-region>
currently uses over 500,000 barrels of recycled oil/day which helps in =
cutting
down on our overseas dependency on imported oil.<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>e.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>State Guaranteed Support =
for </span></b></span></font><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><b
  style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
  normal'>Timber</span></b></st1:PlaceName><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
 style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> =
</span></b><st1:PlaceName><b
  style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
  normal'>Dependent</span></b></st1:PlaceName><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
 normal'><span style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> =
</span></b><st1:PlaceType><b
  style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
  normal'>School</span></b></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span>=
</b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><span
class=3DGramE><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'>Districts<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span></span></font></b>--</span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>three years ago <b =
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>HB513 =
</span></b>provided
a tax break for timberland owners.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>For
about 12 school districts this meant that farmers, business owners, and
property owners had to pick up the difference.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>Rep. Ringo and I are introducing legislation that would ask the =
state to
pick up the difference until property taxes in the district reached a =
level
last achieved in <st1:date Month=3D"12" Day=3D"31" =
Year=3D"1999">December 31, 1999</st1:date>.<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'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span =
class=3DGramE><b style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>f.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Judicial</span></b></span><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'> Election Reform</span></b><span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>I'm working with a number of =
other
legislators on various pieces of legislation that would help ensure the
independence and integrity of Supreme Court and Appellate Court =
judges.<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'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>

<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'>Tel:<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>208-332-1202, and the mailing =
address is
Idaho State Legislature, </span></font><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>=


<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>

<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>

</div>

</body>

</html>

------=_NextPart_000_0025_01C2C55F.026677F0--