[Vision2020] Legislative Report from Ringo

[Sue Hovey]

Shirl,

Thanks for the message.  Imposing furloughs on conscientious employees is most assuredly a tax on their income.  Buildings may be closed, but the work is still there to be done by someone.  That or all the citizens of Idaho lose services to which they are entitled.  Our taxable income is considerably less than it was when both Norm and I were working, but even so, I'd willingly pay a surcharge if it would mean that Idaho citizens got the services they need.  I think the $50,000 floor should be adjusted downward to spread that effect more broadly and raise more revenue.  It seems to me a surcharge on all taxpayers would be the fair move at this time.  Everyone is hurting, but all of us benefit from the services the state provides. 

Would you publish the email of the  House State Affairs Committee if you know it offhand.  Dennis Lake's veiled attempt to punish a segment of the population he has never appreciated anyway is a travesty. He says it's a fairness thing.  That's bs...Dumb isn't his hallmark, mean is.  He knows his  actions save the state no money.  COLA funds come from PERSI Retirement funds, not state revenue.  Ironically, should his bill pass, it will negatively affect the state revenue stream and further depress revenue projections. 

As far as the Conscience Bill:  On the surface it may seem reasonable.  Forcing someone to perform an action in violation of her or his beliefs seems somehow unfair.  But I see this move as a draconian endeavor to impose a specific set of values upon women (of course, I'm sure the bill isn't that specific, but when David Ripley is helping shepherd it through the process, it's obviously an anti-choice endeavor) who are seeking a legal medical prescription or service--a legal act, even in Idaho.  It reminds me of the signs I grew up reading in segregationist Texas:  "We refuse the right to provide service to anyone."  While those words were broadly written, we knew exactly to whom they really applied. 

Thanks for all your hard work.  See you in April.  Wonder if you'll sine die before we get home on the 7th.  Lord, I do hope so.  As regards the Idaho legislature, Mark Twain's words were right on...as long as it's in session, nobody is safe.

Sue H. 


From: Shirley Ringo 
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 7:32 AM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
Subject: [Vision2020] Legislative Report from Ringo


Visionaries:

Because of the extremely low revenue projection adopted by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, budgets for fiscal year 2011 will require more dire measures such as laying off employees, requiring user fees for parents of children with disabilities, and more furloughing.  I will have specific information soon about the budgets for public schools and higher education.

I have been thinking about the general fairness of requiring employees to take furlough days.   While it is a money-saving action that keeps people from being laid off, there are other ways to share the burden.

State employees who have been required to take five furlough days have lost approximately 2% of pay.  At the same time, they have worked to provide the same public services for which they are responsible.   It seems close to imposing a tax upon this class of employees.

If we were to broaden the population to share the burden of revenue shortages by putting a state-wide revenue enhancement plan in place, the impact on individuals would be less.  For example, consider the proposal to impose a 5% surcharge on personal income tax for individuals with taxable incomes exceeding $50,000 per year.  An example of the impact:  a family of four earning about $75,000 per year would pay an addition $164 in state income taxes.  This is a 0.22% increase for that family.  (The revenue gained would not solve all problems, but there are other ideas that could be used also.)

I would like to hear from you on this subject.   The path we are taking will require employees to take many more furlough days.  

Today in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, we heard that from February 1, 2009, to September 30, 2009, "Rule 19 screening teams" have screened 119 juvenile offenders across the state.  Of those, 52% were diverted for treatment in community programs.  To date, 86% of those who were diverted have remained out of Idaho Juvenile Corrections custody.

As many of you have heard, HCR042 was introduced in the House State Affairs Committee.  The sponsor, Dennis Lake, proposes to cancel the 1% COLA for PERSI retirees.  I have received many messages asking me to oppose this legislation.   If you oppose HCR042, you should also write to members of the House State Affairs Committee at this time and ask them to hold the legislation in committee.

SB 1353, the "Conscience Bill," proposes that "No health Care Professional shall be required to provide any health care service that violates his or her conscience."  This bill is under consideration in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Please contact me with your issues and concerns.

Rep. Shirley Ringo



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