[Vision2020] Legislative Update Week 10 from Rep. Trail

Sat, 20 Mar 2004 22:16:07 -0600

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Dear Constituents:

We just spent 3 hours debating the no-smoking bill which includes
schools and restaurants.  The bill passed on a 42-27 vote.  

Here are some other issues:

1.  Public School Appropriations  --  all the bills passed.  One plus
was the $377,000 for the White Pine School District which was due the
district from HB315.  Funding for technology and starting teachers
salaries was another pleasant plus with this conservative legislature

2.  Major disappointments  --  Under the school budgets, over 70% of
teachers in the Moscow School District will not get a raise this year
(unless there are sufficient discretionary funds).  The lack of funding
for ISAT intervention and mentoring was very disappointing.

3.  Teachers being called "terrorists"  by Sec. of Education Paige and
the comment by Rep. Gagner in the legislature about teachers enjoying
"seat time"  probably made many educators angry.  This type of behavior
by public officials is 
unforgivable.

4. Charter School Legislation  --  SB1444 was reworked in the Senate
Education Committee.  Sen. Schroeder took the bill to the Senate floor
where it passed by a 30-5 margin.  The bill contains a number of
components:  
*	Delineation of ethical standards clearly outlined for board
members.
*	Clarification of appeal process in cases where districts deny
charter applications.
*	Restriction of the independent seven member state commission's
authority in considering appeals and issuing charters to computer based
schools (The Governor wanted to consolidate control and appoint the
members of the Commission and give them power to issue charters.  The
Senate opted to honor local control).

5.  Idaho Virtual Academy  --  a second bill SB1433 is expected to bail
out the Academy which is $1.6 million in the red.

6.  ABCTE  --  this is the computer based multiple choice test plus a
video program which proports to qualify anyone with a B.A. degree to
teach in public schools.   All you have to do is pass the test and the
State Board of Education has ruled you can then teach.  There is no
scientific data regarding the test's reliability, validity, and long
term predictive validity.  The SBOE did not consult any of the Deans of
Education for their input (Deans were threatened not to speak out about
the ABCTE).  The Professional Standards Commission of the Dept. of
Education was not consulted in the Board's decision.  This is the type
of decision making that has earned the Board the reputation of making
arbitrary decisions with no input from the various stakeholders
involved.  A number of legislators have conveyed their displeasure to
the Governor and legislators.

7.  Higher Education  --  In a letter that I sent to the Governor in
early March I pointed out that with anticipated reserves of $65 million
we could tap into the reserves for $5-6 million to pay the $2 million
for faculty and staff salaries (which the Governor failed to include in
his budget) and prevent the dismantling of important programs such as
the Fine Arts Program and University of Idaho.  This was the short term
solution but no response from the Governor.

8.  HB502  --  This was known as the Quest bill which would have
deregulated utilities operating land line phones.   Sen. Noble switched
his vote in the Senate today and the bill was defeated 18-17.  This is a
victory for consumers.

The Speaker says the session will be over on Saturday, and frankly if we
stayed much longer the legislature would probably think of some more
mischief.

Rep. Tom Trail/Dist 6

P.S. You can contact me by e mail at ttrail@moscow.com

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<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple =
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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"'>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>

<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"'>We
just spent 3 hours debating the no-smoking bill which includes schools =
and
restaurants.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The bill =
passed on a
42-27 vote.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; =
</span><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"'>Here
are some other issues:<o:p></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'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></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 School
Appropriations<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>all the bills passed.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>One plus was the $377,000 for =
the White
Pine School District which was due the district from <span =
class=3DSpellE><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>HB315</span></b></span>.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>Funding for technology and starting teachers salaries was another
pleasant plus with this conservative =
legislature<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'>2.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Major =
disappointments</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>--<span =
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>Under the school budgets, over 70% of teachers in the Moscow =
School
District will not get a raise this year (unless there are sufficient
discretionary funds).<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The =
lack of
funding for <span class=3DSpellE>ISAT</span> intervention and mentoring =
was very
disappointing.<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; Teachers being =
called
&quot;terrorists&quot;&nbsp; by Sec. of Education Paige and =
the
comment by Rep. Gagner in the legislature =
about
teachers enjoying &quot;seat time&quot;&nbsp;
probably made many educators angry.&nbsp;
This type of behavior by public officials is =
<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"'>unforgivable.<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>

4. Charter School Legislation&nbsp;
--&nbsp; SB1444<=
/span>
was reworked in the Senate Education Committee.&nbsp; Sen. Schroeder took the bill to =
the
Senate floor where it passed by a 30-5 margin.&nbsp; The bill contains a number of
components:&nbsp; =
<o:p></o:p>

<ul style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:0in' type=3Ddisc>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list =
.5in;
     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"'>Delineation
     of ethical standards clearly outlined for board =
members.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list =
.5in;
     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"'>Clarification
     of appeal process in cases where districts deny charter =
applications.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list =
.5in;
     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"'>Restriction
     of the independent seven member state commission&#8217;s authority =
in
     considering appeals and issuing charters to computer based schools =
(The
     Governor wanted to consolidate control and appoint the members of =
the
     Commission and give them power to issue charters.<span
     style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>The Senate opted to honor =
local
     control).<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>

<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>Idaho Virtual
Academy<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>a second bill <span =
class=3DSpellE><b
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal'>SB1433</span></b></span> is expected to bail out the Academy =
which is
$1.6 million in the red.<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>

6.&nbsp; ABCTE&nbsp; --&nbsp; this is the computer based =
multiple
choice test plus a video program which proports to
qualify anyone with a B.A. degree to teach in public schools.&nbsp;&nbsp; All you have to do is =
pass the
test and the State Board of Education has ruled you can then teach.&nbsp; There is no scientific data =
regarding
the test's reliability, validity, and long term predictive =
validity.&nbsp; The SBOE did
not consult any of the Deans of Education for their input (Deans were
threatened not to speak out about the ABCTE).&nbsp; The Professional Standards =
Commission of
the Dept. of Education was not consulted in the Board's decision.&nbsp; This is the type of decision =
making that
has earned the Board the reputation of making arbitrary decisions with =
no input
from the various stakeholders involved.&nbsp;
A number of legislators have conveyed their displeasure to the =
Governor
and legislators.<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'>7.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>Higher =
Education<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>In a letter that I sent to the =
Governor
in early March I pointed out that with anticipated reserves of $65 =
million we
could tap into the reserves for $5-6 million to pay the $2 million for =
faculty
and staff salaries (which the Governor failed to include in his budget) =
and
prevent the dismantling of important programs such as the Fine Arts =
Program and
University of Idaho.<span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>This =
was the
short term solution but no response from the =
Governor.<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>

8.&nbsp; HB502&nbsp; --&nbsp; This was known as the Quest =
bill which
would have deregulated utilities operating land line phones.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sen. Noble switched his =
vote in
the Senate today and the bill was defeated 18-17.&nbsp; This is a victory for =
consumers.<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
Speaker says the session will be over on Saturday, and frankly if we =
stayed
much longer the legislature would probably think of some more =
mischief.<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"'>Rep.
Tom Trail/Dist 6<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.S.
You can contact me by e mail at =
ttrail@moscow.com<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><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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