[Vision2020] Fwd: Legislative Newsletter IX

[Tom Trail]

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>                	LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER XI MARCH 24-28/03
>
>Dear Constitutents:
>
>The 57th session of the Idaho Legislature may establish a new record for the
>longest session in trying to arrive at final approval for a budget and tax
>increases to support the budget.   I will be leaving the Legislature on April
>3rd.  Our grandson, Matthew, age 15 months has been suffering from Russells
>Syndrome since birth, and he had a recent setback.   We feel our place is with
>Matthew and his family.  Former State Representative Gary Young will 
>fill in as
>my substitute.  Gary know the legislative ropes, and will support my position
>on supporting the Governor's budget and the tax increases necessary 
>to do the job.  You can contact Gary at my desk phone (208) 332-1202 
>or use my state e
>mail # ttrail@house.state.id.us.  I want to thank Gary for filling in for me.
>
>  1.  Budget for Public Education-Many legislators campaigned to support public
>      education.  It appears that the conservatives were willing to support a
>      appropriation of $920 million--the exact amount that the state 
>approved for
>      fiscal year 03.
>
>      However, when one considers that we hadd about $60.8 million in dedicated
>      funds last year and that projectons are for no more than $41.9 million
>      this year then we are faced with an additional $20 million shortfall for
>      public education.  Part of the problem comes about because of 
>no carry over
>      funds, loss of revenue from endowment funds, increased 
>transportation costs
>      inflation, property tax replacement, and additional medical 
>costs for staff
>
>      The impact of this $20 million shortfall is reflected in terms of three
>      budget alternatives--$920/$930/and $943--the Governor's budget.  Every
>      school district in the state loses under the $920 and $930 
>million senario.
>      It is only when we reach the Governor's $943 million budget for public
>      education that districts break even.  Under the $920 and $930 million
>      senario this would represent reductions at the local school district of
>      from 1.5% to 2.5%.
>
>      Much talk has taken place about the "big" increases for public education
>      over the past 20 years.  A major reason for increases is the significant
>      number of unfunded federal and state mandates that have forced local
>      and at times the state to increase funding for these mandates. 
>One example
>      is that in 1974 Congress mandated the Special Education Program, and
>      promised to pick up 70% of the funding.  This promise was not 
>kept and last
>      year the State and Districts had to pick up 84% of Special 
>Education costs.
>      As Pogo said, "The Enemy is Us."
>
>  2.  Higher Education Budgets--I support the Governor's budget for Higher
>      Ed.  Anything less would be devastating after the 10% holdback of last
>      year.  We also need to pass the facilities bonding proposal of 
>the Governor
>      This would enable the U. of Idaho to build the $11 million Teaching-
>      Learning Center, and it would create 300 construction jobs.
>
>  3.  Taxes--Conservatives are now talking about an omnibus sin tax bill which
>      depending on what sins you tax and by how much could raise $100 - $120
>      million.  Sin taxes are risky and consumption of whatever sin you tax
>      usually drops off during the initial stages of the new tax.  The sin tax
>      approach plus a one percent sales tax would probably raise enough
>      revenue to support the Governor's budget, and I will support 
>this approach.
>
>  4.  Other Bills
>
>      a.  Resolution to Pull the U.S. Out of the U.N. was deep sixed 
>in committee
>
>      b.  HB169 A--Changes in the Rape Statues will be voted on in the Senate
>          probably on Monday.
>
>      c.  HB391--This is the new grass burning bill.  The bill 
>includes penalit-
>          ies of $10,000 for violations of growers.  The bill was voted out of
>          the Ag Affairs Committee.  We've asked for an Attorney General's
>          Opinion about the bill.  If the bill has some constitutional flaws
>          then I'd find it hard to support it.  A companion bill being intro-
>          duced in Rev and Tax would provide a $100 tax credit/acre 
>for a period
>          of ten years if a grower would agree not to burn bluegrass.  The
>          credit would be marketable, and if the grower broke the 
>agreement they
>          would have to pay back all credits to the state tax commission.  This
>          is a proposal that looks promising and one that I would support.
>
>      d.  HB359--This bill would have established a merit pay system for new
>          teachers in Idaho, a system based largely on "student Performance."
>          Most people felt this meant student test scores.  Several teachers
>          pointed out that paying some teachers more than others based on
>          student test scores would create an unwanted environment of 
>competition
>          in schools.  Factors such as the influence of the family, soci-
>          economic factors,  English as a second language, etc. were factors
>          that at best of times would not provide a level playing field to
>          make reliable and valid evaluation of teacher's performance.  The
>          bill was held in committee by a 9-8 vote.
>
>  I'll be sending out a final wrap up Newsletter of the Legislature in another
>  three weeks.
>
>  Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 6

-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail@moscow.com