[Vision2020] legislation

[roger hayes]

Please contact your legislators...

Begin forwarded message:

> From: roger hayes <rhayes at turbonet.com>
> Date: Mon Feb 9, 2009  6:07:46 AM US/Pacific
> To: gschroeder at senate.idaho.gov
> Subject: water sale legislation
>
> Senator Schroeder,
>
> I know that the legislation to allow water sales across state lines is
> a  current senate matter. I do believe that the issue has originated
> from last year's water dispute over selling Hawkins Moscow water 
> services.
>
> This issue is very divisive to our community. I come down on the side
> which does not wish to encourage development outside of our ability to
> tax  that development. Idaho water, and in particular Latah county
> water is a very precious commodity. Why in heaven's name do we want to
> sell it to out of state interests? Particularly during these  
> difficult economic
> times we should be looking to enhance our revenues, not ship them out
> of state.
>
> Now, we already have lost James Toyota from the state, county and city
> revenue stream. Can you imagine what a mega-mall just across the border
> will do to our tax base if we encourage them to build there by handing
> them water and other infrastructure?
>
> I tire of the argument "they are going to build it anyway, so we may as
> well just sell them the water." This sort of development is called
> replacement development. It is not economic enhancement.
> This legislation smacks of "special interest" gifting, and a large
> percentage of Latah county residents are beginning to turn their
> attention toward the supporters of this initiative.
>
> Thanks for listening,
> Roger Hayes
> Moscow
>