[Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter 8 -- Feb 27 - Mar 3, 2006

[ttrail at moscow.com]

              LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER 8  --  FEB 27-MARCH 3/2006
 
     This Sunday we will honor "Doc" Lucas who served Latah County for 
Almost 13 years in the Legislature.   A memorial service will be held for 
"Doc" on Sunday, March 5,  at 11:00 am. at the University of Idaho
Administration Auditorium.   Doc will be best known for his sense of 
humor, his dedication and commitment to public education and children,
and his commitment to the University of Idaho.
 
     In Boise we are on the home stretch of the 2006 legislative session.  
Speaker Bruce Newcomb who has served as Speaker announced that he
will not run again.   Speaker Newcomb has served 8 years as Speaker.   The
filing dates for candidates opens up on March 6th.   I plan on
running again for another term.    Here are some of the happenings of
the week.
 
1.  Moscow Cedar Grove  --  there have been several articles in the
paper about the effort to save the Grove.   I talked with Commissioner
Paul Kimmell today and he reports that he expects momentarily to get a
letter from Winston Wiggins, Director of State Lands, indicating a
commitment to preserve the grove and 296 acres, and to work with the 
commissioners and local stakeholders to work out a long term strategy
and plan to ensure the preservation of the grove and surrounding 
habitat.
 
2.  Statehouse Expansion  --  House State Affairs endorsed a plan to
build two story deep, underground wings on the east and west sides of
the Statehouse.  The almost $40 million structures would hold larger
hearing rooms and offices for legislators.  The funding for all renovations
now comes from the increased cigarette tax.
 
3.  Lobbying Bill  --  A bill to expand Idaho's lobbyist registration
requirements passed the full House today.  The measure would broaden
the requirement to include all those paid to lobby all elected office 
holders, department directors,  agency directors, and others.   The
measure will also tighten up requirements on the Governor's Office.
 
4.  HCR32  --  Establishing Bully Awareness Week September 10-16/2006
passed by a unanimous vote in the Senate as did HCR33  --  Convening
a Civic Summit Conference this coming summer in Boise.  The meeting
will be convened by the Sec. of State and the State Superintendent of
Public Instruction with the focus on improving government and civic 
education for Idaho students.  I was the co-sponsor on both of these
resolutions.  Funding has already been obtained for the meeting.
 
5.   Scholarship and Student Loan Bills:  

HB702  --  calling for the establishment of a $10 million needs
based scholarship fund for Idaho university students.

HB703  --  this calls for the setting up of a $5 million needs
based loan fund for Idaho university students.

HB751  --  establishment of a $5 million student loan program
for students who would commit to teaching science and math in Idaho
schools, all passed the House Education Committee.  

I'm the sponsor of these bills along with several other legislators.   We've
worked closely with Idaho Universities in crafting these bills.
 
6.   Constitutional Hunting and Fishing Rights  --  The Senate defeated a
possible constitutional amendment to protect citizen hunting and fishing
rights on the floor of the Senate by a 18-16 vote.  A two thirds vote is
needed.
 
7.   HB743  --  This new bill introduced by Representative Scott Bedke
passed the House Ed Committee.    This bill is an attempt to settle the
14 year school facilities law suit.  The bill would establish a $25 million
fund to help solve problems with unsafe buildings.   If a district failed to
pass two bond levies, then the State Board of Education would take over
the district, it could then fire the Superintendent, and then increase
property taxes of the district patrons without a vote of the patrons.  This
to me is the undemocratic and draconian part of the legislation.  HB691 
which was a more costly alternative really would help school districts out 
in Latah County.  
 
8.   JFAC approved a 7.8 percent increase in State Parks Budget.  This
package does not  include the Governor's $34 million "Experience Idaho"
plan.
 
9.   House Approves Mental Health Insurance Coverage for State
Workers  --  In a move long overdue the House approved funding mental
health insurance for state employees.
 
10.  Public Education Budget  --  A budget of $1.02 billion was approve
by JFAC.  This includes a 3.0% salary increase for teachers and staff, a
new starting salary of $30,000/year for new teachers, and in general a
fairly decent budget overall.  I can't remember a year that JFAC's, the
Gov's, and Superintendent of Public Instructions budgets came in so 
close together.   The Higher Ed Budget just came out of JFAC and in 
general seems to satisfy our university and college presidents.
 
I'd appreciate your comments, questions, and concerns.   My e mail is
ttrail at house.idaho.gov and phone 332-1260
 
Representative. Tom Trail
      


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