[Vision2020] Sine Die Legislative Update -- March 12, 2004

Thu, 11 Mar 2004 21:39:16 -0600

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       SINE DIE LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER  --  March 12, 2004

Dear Constituents:

Although we won't be finishing up till the end of next week, I thought
it might be a good idea to send out a final newsletter of the 2004 Idaho
Legislative session.  Those of you who receive my e mail newsletter will
get a short update next week as we get close to the finish. I plan on
filing to run again for the House of Representatives next week.

1.  Public Education Budget  --  This year's budget represents about a
2% increase over last years appropriation.  There was some good news in
the public education budget.  Locally in the school facilities bill it
appears almost certain that the White Pine School District will get
their $377,000 request that was authorized under HB 315.

The other two pluses occurred with the funding of $8.4 million for
technology  --  thanks to legislative pressure.  The Governor had
proposed to reduce it to almost $3 million.  JFAC also increased the
beginning teacher pay from $25,000/year to $27,500.  I co-sponsored the
bill that set $25,000 as the base salary several years ago.  This is
fully funded by the state.

There were, however, some major problems in not funding three other
crucial areas.  Approximately 55% of Idaho teachers will not get a pay
raise except for education credits.  This sends the wrong message since
all other state employees received a raise.  The legislature also failed
to fund ISAT remediation.  We know that many children will need to
receive extra training in order to pass the state test.  The new teacher
support program was not funded. These three crucial areas needed to be
funded, and for those reasons I will vote against the appropriation
bill.

2.  Higher Education  --  Another barebones budget for Higher Education
will negatively impact the University of Idaho as well as other state
institutions.  It is obvious that a number of reasons including
decreasing lack of state support impacts the U. of Idaho.  This all will
have an impact on the higher cost of education for students and a
decreasing lack of quality.

The new budget provides nothing for enrollment growth, leaving
universities $2.7 million short.  Nothing is provided for increased
utility costs.  Nothing is provided for basic occupancy costs of new
buildings.  Student fees will be tapped to pay part of the cost for $1.9
million to pay part of the cost of the governor's 2% pay raise for
faculty and staff.  This comes after two years of no increases.

3.  Charter School Legislation  --  we are expecting a flood of charter
school bills this coming week in the House Education Committee.  Basic
concerns deal with fiscal accountability, election of trustees,
selection process of students,  ethics requirements of trustees, and who
can grant a charter.  Currently, local school districts grant charters
but the Governor is proposing that a state commission appointed by the
Governor will grant charters.  This is interesting since the Governor
has on many occasions stoutly defended the importance of local control.
The important thing is that I support charter schools and the Virtual
Academy Concept.  Adequate funding for both must be provided for the
short and long term taking into account the other issues listed above.

4.  Ten Commandments and Marriage Amendment  -- Both of these
legislative efforts were defeated in the Senate.

5.  SB1383  --  Banning Smoking in Public Places (except bars and
bowling alleys).  This passed out of the House Health and Welfare
Committee.  I will support it and it should pass.

6.  Economic Development  --  The Legislature approved extending tax
incentives for investment in broadband communications technology.  We
also approved full deductibility in state income tax  calculations for
premiums paid for long term care insurance.

7.  Grass Burning  --  The House passed a bill which provides a new
definition of economically viable alternatives to field burning.  The
bill deleted any reference to protection of public health.  I opposed
the bill since it amended legislation that many thought to be
unconstitutional and is currently in the courts.

8.  Pay off from Tax Auditors  --  Last year we hired 15 tax auditors to
go after people who hadn't paid their taxes.  So far, for a cost of just
over $800,000 in wages there has been a return over $10,000,000 net.

With the legislature ending soon, my contact information will change.
You will be able to contact me at ttrail@moscow.com after this weekend.

Rep. Tom Trail

You can access this and my other updates at
<http://www.infotrail.com/idaho> www.infotrail.com/idaho

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<div class=3DSection1>

<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"'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; =
</span>SINE DIE
LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>--<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>March 12, =
2004<o:p></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=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Dear
Constituents:<o:p></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>

Although
we won't be finishing up till the end of next week, I thought it might =
be a
good idea to send out a final newsletter of the 2004 Idaho Legislative
session.&nbsp; Those of you who =
receive
my e mail newsletter will get a short update next week as we get close =
to the
finish. I plan on filing to run again for the House of Representatives =
next
week.<o:p></o: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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>1.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Public =
Education Budget<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>This year's budget
represents about a 2% increase over last years appropriation.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>There was some good news in the =
public
education budget.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Locally =
in the
school facilities bill it appears almost certain that the White Pine =
School
District will get their $377,000 request that was authorized under <span
class=3DSpellE>HB</span> 315.<o:p></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=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>The
other two pluses occurred with the funding of $8.4 million for =
technology<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>thanks to legislative pressure.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>The Governor had proposed to reduce it to almost $3 million.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>JFAC also increased the =
beginning
teacher pay from $25,000/year to $27,500.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>I co-sponsored the bill that set $25,000 as the base salary =
several
years ago.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>This is fully =
funded 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=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

There
were, however, some major problems in not funding three other crucial
areas.&nbsp; Approximately 55% =
of Idaho
teachers will not get a pay raise except for education credits.&nbsp; This sends the wrong message =
since all
other state employees received a raise.&nbsp;
The legislature also failed to fund ISAT
remediation.&nbsp; We know that =
many
children will need to receive extra training in order to pass the state
test.&nbsp; The new teacher =
support
program was not funded. These three crucial areas needed to be funded, =
and for
those reasons I will vote against the appropriation =
bill.<o:p></o: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>

2.&nbsp; Higher =
Education&nbsp; --&nbsp; Another barebones budget for =
Higher
Education will negatively impact the University of Idaho as well as =
other state
institutions.&nbsp; It is =
obvious that a
number of reasons including decreasing lack of state support impacts the =
U. of
Idaho. &nbsp;This all will have =
an impact
on the higher cost of education for students and a decreasing lack of =
quality.<o:p></o: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"'>The
new budget provides nothing for enrollment growth, leaving universities =
$2.7 million
short.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Nothing is provided =
for
increased utility costs.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>Nothing is
provided for basic occupancy costs of new buildings.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Student fees will be tapped to =
pay part
of the cost for $1.9 million to pay part of the cost of the governor's =
2% pay raise
for faculty and staff.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span>This comes
after two years of no increases.<o:p></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>

3. &nbsp;Charter School
Legislation&nbsp; --&nbsp; we
are expecting a flood of charter school bills this coming week in the =
House
Education Committee.&nbsp; Basic =
concerns
deal with fiscal accountability, election of trustees, selection process =
of
students,&nbsp; ethics =
requirements of
trustees, and who can grant a charter.&nbsp;
Currently, local school districts grant charters but the Governor =
is
proposing that a state commission appointed by the Governor will grant
charters.&nbsp; This is =
interesting since
the Governor has on many occasions stoutly defended the importance of =
local
control.&nbsp; The important =
thing is
that I support charter schools and the Virtual Academy Concept.&nbsp; Adequate funding for both must =
be
provided for the short and long term taking into account the other =
issues listed
above.<o:p></o: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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>4.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Ten =
Commandments and
Marriage Amendment</span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>-- Both of these legislative =
efforts
were defeated in the Senate.<o:p></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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>5.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span><span =
class=3DSpellE>SB1383</span><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Banning Smoking in =
Public
Places (except bars and bowling alleys).<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>This passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>I will support it and it should =
pass.<o:p></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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>6.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Economic =
Development<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>The Legislature =
approved
extending tax incentives for investment in broadband communications =
technology.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>We also approved full =
deductibility in
state income tax <span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>calculations for
premiums paid for long term care insurance.<o:p></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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>7.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Grass Burning =
<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span></span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>The House passed a =
bill
which provides a new definition of economically viable alternatives to =
field
burning.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The bill deleted =
any
reference to protection of public health.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>I opposed the bill since it amended legislation that many thought =
to be
unconstitutional and is currently in the =
courts.<o:p></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'><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3D2 face=3D"Courier =
New"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier =
New";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>8.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Pay off from =
Tax
Auditors<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span></span></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3D"Courier New"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>--<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Last year we hired 15 tax =
auditors to go
after people who hadn't paid their taxes.<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>So far, for a cost of just over $800,000 in wages there has been =
a return
over $10,000,000 net.<o:p></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>

With
the legislature ending soon, my contact information will change. &nbsp;You will be able to contact me =
at ttrail@moscow.com
after this weekend.<o:p></o: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>

Rep.
Tom Trail<o:p></o: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'>You can access this and my other updates at <a
href=3D"http://www.infotrail.com/idaho"><span =
class=3DSpellE>www.infotrail.com/idaho</span></a><o:p></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>

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