[Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter IV Feb 1-5, 2010

[Donovan Arnold]

Rep. Trail,
 
Thanks for the updated report.
 
Please do what you can to save IPTV. It is greatly needed.
 
If Idaho must release 250 felons back into society, you should put an amendment to the bill to release the ones that have secured jobs first. Employed felons are less likely to re-offend, and we the taxpayer will not have to flip the bill for them living on the outside.
 
I would also create a bill requiring special events costing over $10,000 to be approved by the Senate and the Governor. That way we will not waste $75K on ribbons and cake.
 
Boise is now ranked the lush capital of the country. Maybe a tax on alcohol and tobacco is now in order. Then use the money for public education. 
 
Thanks for lending me your ear,
 
Donovan Arnold 

--- On Sun, 2/7/10, Rep. Tom Trail <ttrail at moscow.com> wrote:


From: Rep. Tom Trail <ttrail at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter IV Feb 1-5, 2010
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 5:10 PM



                                       LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER IV—FEB 1-5/2010 
 

 
Constituents  —  There was at least one good piece of news to come out of the Idaho Legislature this week.  Sen. Schroeder and I along with five other Central Idaho Legislators attended the State Park Board meeting on Wednesday to urge the Board to overturn their decision to close Dvorsach State Park.   There was an excellent turnout of both legislators and citizens at the meeting.  The Board unanimously approved reopening of the Park and Director Merrill has given her staff 30 days to come up with a management plan.   The successful management of the Park will mean that many different stakeholders will have to join forces to help the Park move towards becoming economically self sufficient.    
 
Here are some other news items that occurred during the week: 
 

 
1. Economic News and State Budget — While the news from Washington, D.C. indicates that we have turned the corner in the recession, there are certainly no positive signs here in Idaho.  We still have almost 70,000 citizens unemployed.   Agriculture experienced a 47 percent decline in net income last year.    The only good news was that Micron’s last quarter earnings were on the positive side for the first time in several years. 
 
January’s tax receipts came in about $10 million under projections.   Projections are that all state agencies including public and higher education will be facing a 10 percent reduction in their budgets for Fiscal Year 2011.  This means that JFAC will be faced with some very hard decisions.  For example, if we cut Corrections by $5 million this means that we have to release 250 felons into society.   I doubt that the Legislature is willing to go this far.   There are almost 50 school districts whose reserves are almost exhausted.    The University of Idaho’s state funding was cut back $22 million last year.  Key programs are being cut and top researchers and teachers along with their grants are being cherry picked off by other universities.   Morale among public school teachers and higher education faculty is suffering.    Fewer classes will be offered and class sizes will increase. 
 

 
2. Guarding the State’s Dollars  — The recent news that $74,000 was spent for dedication of highway openings and ceremonies caused Rep. Wood, Chair of House Transportation Committee to say, “This is appalling.”   The finger pointing went all the way from the Transportation Board to the Governor’s Office.   Certainly no one was watching the henhouse on this one. 
 
I recently learned that three Idaho employees (all with salaries of over $200,000/year) are able to take their spouses on domestic and international trips at state experience (assuming there is some benefit to the state).   These are the three University Presidents at ISU, UI, and BSU and, yes, it is legal and it is written in their contracts.  None of the other University Presidents have this privilege nor does the Governor.   I have written the State Board of Education asking for them to provide the Legislature with specific and measurable evidence how such taxpayer expense benefits the state and why none of the other university presidents is given such a privilege.   I’ve also requested the Board to provide how much has been paid out for spouse travel over the past five years.   The practice may be legal but it certainly sends out the wrong sign to our citizens and other state employees. 
 
On the local scene in Moscow there are reports that a Hilton Gardens Hotel and International Pancake House will be built at the old Wally Orvik Chevrolet location and that the Moscow Walmart will remain open even after the opening of the Giant Walmart in Pullman. 
 

 
3. Taxes  — Republican legislators may be promoting some tax cut bills for large businesses in the hopes of attracting more corporations to Idaho to create jobs.   I think the emphasis should be on legislation that strengthens our small businesses which is the driving force for creating jobs in the state.   As I mentioned in another newsletter the Idaho State Tax Commission reports that is they can hire about 150 part time tax auditors that they can potentially collect about $70 million in unpaid taxes in the state.  This would be a return on investment of $10 for every dollar invested.   The IRS reports that almost $300 million in taxes go unpaid every year in Idaho.   I think this is where we should be getting some of our added revenue.  Another area are taxes on internet sales—estimated to be about $60 million/year..   This seems to be another fruitful area.   The examination of all of the 75 tax exemptions also merits attention. 
 

 
4. Idaho Public TV — I’ve received about 80 e-mails all in support of continuing funding for Idaho Public TV.  If the Governor’s plan is carried out it is most likely that citizens in the Treasure Valley and selected southern areas in the state would have access to public TV programs.   There are some hidden costs to phasing out funding for public TV.   IPTV has spent $22 million for digital conversion over the past 10 years with $6 million from the federal government with strings attached.   If public TV cannot maintain the equipment then the state would have to repay the feds about $2 million.   I’m working with other legislators to try and overturn this very bad proposal.   Citizens should contact the Governor and their legislators to indicate their support. 
 

 
That’s all for this week.    I’d appreciate your e-mails and calls with your comments and suggestions. 
 
ttrail at house.idaho.gov 
 
 (208) 332-1184 
 

 
Rep. Tom Trail 
 
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