[Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter 9, March 6-10

[ttrail at moscow.com]

                          LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER 9--MARCH 6-10/2006
 
     Legislators are a bit more laid back this session with plenty of snow
in the mountains and the rivers flowing full.   The best prediction for the
closing date is still the range of March 25-April 1st.    There are still
plenty of fights between the Governor and Legislature that may lengthen the
session.   These include differences over the Governor's Connecting Idaho
Garvee Bond (road projects) and spending $33 million to improve Idaho's
parks.  Other issues may surface as well.  Here are some of the week
highlights.
 
l.  House Approves Plan for Sex Offenders  --  this bill would prohibit
 convicted offenders from being within 500 feet of schools where
 children under age 18 are present.  There will be several other bills
 stiffening penalties for sex offenders.
 
2.  Property Tax Bills  --  Two bills were sent to the Senate floor for
 possible amendments.  The Senate Local Government and Taxation
 Committee voted to forward House Bills 678 and 679 to the
 amending order.   HB678 would cut in half the ability of Idaho public
 schools to collect property taxes for basic maintenance and operations
 expenses and HB679 would increase the sales tax by one-half cent to
 pay for the lost revenue.  A decision could be reached on this legislation
 toward the end of next week.
 
3.   High School Redesign  --  The State Board of Education's Plan to
 increase math and science credits in high school is awaiting final
 discussion in the House Education Committee.  The Senate Education
 Committee has already rejected the rule, and House Ed Committee had
 a tie vote.   The House Ed Committee will vote on the rule next week. 
 If the Committee votes in favor of the proposed rule then it will go into
 effect.   Major concerns with Idaho citizens revolves around the process.
 Many people feel that a major change should involve more teachers and
parents and that their legislators should be closely involved.   There is
 also worry about unfunded mandates.   Rural school districts are greatly
 concerned about being able to recruit math and science teachers to
 meet the new proposed requirements.
 
4.   HB751  --  Loan Program for Math and Science Teachers  --  This bill
 that I sponsored was defeated by a 34-31 vote today.   We face a
 shortage of more than 300 math and science teachers in the near future
 in the state.  The bill proposed to set up a loan fund for students
willing to major in math and science in Idaho schools.  Those students
 accepting the loans would have 20% of their loan forgiven for every
 year they taught in Idaho schools.  Current teachers who would like to
 certify to teach math and science in Idaho schools would also be
 eligible.  Concerns about enough funds available in the current state
 budget help to defeat the bill.
 
5.   Capitol Renovation  --  The House passed a resolution which would
 authorize the state to begin planning for a project that would start this
 fall and end by 2010.  The resolution calls for Idaho to spend about
 $115 million fixing up the Statehouse and building two, two-story,
 50,000 square foot underground wings on the west and east side of the 
Capitol.   I supported the resolution.
 
6.  School Facilities Lawsuit  --  In response to the Supreme Court
 decision for the State to participate in funding school facilities, the
 House passed a school construction bill that would use about $5 million
 to pay for school maintenance next year and create a $25 million loan
 fund to fix schools.   The bill orders schools to set aside money each
 year for maintenance.  It allows the state to take over a school district
 with unsafe schools, fire the superintendent, and order a property tax
 increase without a vote of the patrons.   This undemocratic approach
 reminds me of Taxation without representation.    I will vote against the
 bill because all of District 6 superintendents indicate the bill will do
 nothing for their districts, and because I consider the draconian
 measure to take over the school district to be undemocratic.
 
7.   School Consolidation  --  there is a bill on the Senate side that
would consolidate Idaho's 114 school districts into 80 districts.   Under
this measure Latah County would only have one district.   Obviously I'm 
opposed to this measure.
 
8.  Dog Lovers  --  In spite of the defeat of my HB516  --  Dog Fighting/
 Felony bill, supporters continue to urge passage of the bill.   I met with
 25 supporters on the Capitol steps on Friday and told them I would be
 bringing the bill back again next year.  We will be passing SB1396 which
 updates our animal cruelty laws and will be a major step ahead in
 protecting our animals and pets.
 
     I look forward to your comments and suggestions.   You can contact me
at ttrail at house.idaho.gov
 
Representative. Tom Trail




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