[Vision2020] Legislative Update 5 from Rep Trail (Jan 28-Feb 1)

[ttrail at moscow.com]

LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER V --JAN 28-FEB 1ST/08

Constituents:

The big news around Idaho this week has been winter weather.  Boise has
received some snow but still remains the banana belt city.  Many
legislators stayed home this weekend simply because traveling conditions
were so bad.  Phil the groundhog apparently is predicting more winter, but
we should be preparing for some flooding.  Here are some of the news
highlights.

1.  SB1260  --  Dog fighting/felony penalty  --  The full Senate voted for
the measure 31-4.  The bill now goes on to the House Judiciary and Rules
Committee.  Rep. Mike Moyle, Majority Leader, said in an interview that he
thought the bill would go through.  Just two more steps and it will go to
the Governor's desk.

  2.  SPI Luna's ISTARS Program  -  The Senate Education Committee was
supposed to vote on the measure this last Wednesday, but the vote has been
postponed.  There are all sorts of rumors that we don't have enough money
to fund it with tough economic times ahead.  Other rumors indicate the plan
is being reworked.  But it seems to have slipped out of the news for a while.

  3.  Grocery Tax  --  The Governor, the Democrats, and the Republicans all
have their own proposals.  It does seem that there is more willingness to
come up with a compromise.  I just hope that the sales tax on groceries is
taken off at the cash register.  This approach will avoid a lot of paper
work and will also reach all those who purchase groceries.

  4.  Senate Education Committee to Question Members of the State Board
Over $1.4 million Deficit.  All 8 members of the SBOE will be questioned
over their role in violations of state accounting standards that resulted
in the agency's $1.4 million deficit last year.  Chairman of the Board
Terrell, described the financial debacle as "pathetic."  He also added the
SBOE is now solvent.

  5.  Sex Offenders -- The House Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to
send a proposal to the House floor that would require electronic monitoring
of violent sexual predators on probation or parole. This bill should pass.

  6.  Anti-Sudan Bill --  Sen. Tim Corder introduced a bill that would
require PERSE to identify companies that are significantly invested in
Sudan and pull investments from those companies that do not cease
operations in Sudan within 15 months.  Divestment is aimed at sending a
message to the Sudanese government to stop genocide in Darfur.  It is
estimated this would only affect about $25 million of PERSI's ten billion
dollar portfolio.

Bills are being introduced at an accelerating rate.  This is all for this
week.  I'd like to hear your comments and recommendations.  My e mail is
ttrail at house.idaho.gov and my phone is 208-332-1184.

Rep. Tom Trail




---------------------------------------------
This message was sent by First Step Internet.
           http://www.fsr.com/