[Vision2020] January 25-29th (week III) Legislative Newsletter)

[Donovan Arnold]

Rep. Trail,
 
I think cutting health insurance for Idaho State Legislators, and the Governor, would be a great money saving tool. But more importantly, it would be a good education for our representatives to learn what it is like to try and find affordable quality health insurance for themselves and their family, especially if you are only employed part time, or unemployed. 
 
Thanks for the updates, they are appreciated!
 
Donovan Arnold
 


--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Rep. Tom Trail <ttrail at moscow.com> wrote:


From: Rep. Tom Trail <ttrail at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] January 25-29th (week III) Legislative Newsletter)
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 4:01 AM



This is the laste of the older newsletter - all future newsletters will be current.
You can always go to www.infotrail.com/Idaho and get older updates.
       
        LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER III—JANUARY 25-29/2010

Constituents: 
 

 Everything is about the economy in discussion of issues facing the citizens of Idaho within the Idaho Legislature. Here are some of the news items of the week. 
 

 
1.     Revenue Projections—The revenue projection committee lowered both the FY 10 and FY 11 projections by $69 million and $59 million.  Basically state legislators picked lower figures than the Governor’s Office.  It appears that even with using remaining reserves to patch this year’s budget that we will be looking at the possibility of another 10 percent holdback or cut for FY 11.   This would be a damaging blow to public and higher education.   There is some talk (very faintly) in the hallways that the only way to prevent the damage that would set our public and higher education systems back is revenue enhancement.  It is interesting that the citizens of Oregon approved two tax increase bills by a 54-46 vote on Tuesday to increase taxes which will benefit education in that state. 
 

 
2.     Public Education — The public education scene is tragic.   Evidence indicates that 50 of our 115 school districts have no money or reserves.  This figure will continue to increase.   Although the majority of these districts are rural, a superintendent from a medium size district called the State Department of Education and said that they would be broke on May 1st and wondered if they could close the school down.   We cannot do this because under the Idaho Constitution we are required to provide a comprehensive and throughout education for the students in the state. 
 

 
Superintendent Tom Luna is recommending the use of reserve funds, cutting his own office budget, and tapping funds of the State Land Board.   Luna proposed $83 million in new money and cuts to help close a $135 million gap between his proposed budget and that of Governor Otter.  A key element in his plan would be to pull $53 million from a $90 million Public Schools Earnings Reserve Fund administered by the State Land Board.  He is also recommending the following cuts  a) freeze pay hikes for teachers who get raises for more time on the job--$6 million; b) eliminate early retirement incentives-$2 million; c) cut reimbursement for field trips--$1 million; (d) reduce money paid to teachers for classroom supplies from $300 to $200--$2 million; (e) eliminate funding that guarantees a district 99 percent of its average daily attendance funding from year to year if enrollment drops--$5 million; and, (f) combine technology and textbook funds and reduce
 funding $9 million. 
 
I will be sponsoring legislation to provide school districts in delaying the implementation of the increased math and science courses and standards by a period of two years.   Many rural districts are simply unable to recruit qualified teachers to teach the math and science courses.   The districts are facing dire financial straits with the current economic situation and with additional unfunded mandates facing them.   A two year window would provide them time to help right the financial ship if the economy turns around.   School Districts that are already committed to proceed with the increased Math and Science Standards could still move ahead with their programs. 
 
3.     Department of Parks and Recreation—I had a meeting with Director Nancy Merrill, Parks and Recreation, today.   We talked about the Dworshak Park situation.   She reported that she and her staff are working with local officials to work out the details to turn over the management of the Park to the County.  It is essential to keep the park open because it is provides vital stimulus to the local economy. 
 

 
Sen. Schroeder investigated information that a Parks and Rec Board member visited all of the state parks this past summer.  The board member did not pay any park fees and charged all of his mileage to the state.   Director Merrill reports that Board policy has been changed to prevent occurrences of this kind in the future. 
 
4.     Lochsa Land Exchange—Information has been received that the U.S. Forest Service hearings have been postponed until July 2010.   It is interesting to note that the founder of  Western Pacific Timber, Tim Blixseth, owes Idaho County about $217,000 in back property taxes.  Part of the land swap would impact Idaho County.   As one constituent reported,   Mr. Blixseth needs to move the land swap ahead so that he can pay his back taxes. 
 

 
 5.   A Question for Constituents:   I have received information that a group of Idaho employees bills the state for spouse travel for both domestic and international trips because they deemsuch expenditure to benefit the state.    I know of no other group that receives such perks. 
 
       What is your comment on this information?    I’m gathering further information on the subject. 
 
6      Animal Cruelty Legislation—During the past year a broad coalition of stakeholders including livestock producers,   the Dairymen,   the Idaho Humane Society,   STOP-stop torturing our pets, dog breeding associations and others have worked together to develop badly needed animal cruelty legislation.   Sen. Corder and I have been working with the various groups and the legislation will be introduced next week in committee.   Cock fighting would incur a felony penalty under this legislation, and increased fines and other penalties would be assessed against those who especially have three convictions against them for animal cruelty and torture. 
 

 
7.      State Employees Working Halftime — Not too long ago Governor Otter proposed to take medical insurance and benefits away from those state employees working half time.  He reported it would save the state millions of dollars.   I wrote a letter to the Governor opposing this move because employees without insurance might actually cost the state more in the long run.  Our Human Resources Committee will hopefully be handling this piece of legislation when it is introduced and I think that the chances that it might be defeated are good.   Dan Pokey, a Statesmen reporter, criticized, legislators for being covered by medical insurance, and that we are only about half time employees.  Eighteen of the 107 of the state legislators are not covered by state paid insurance including myself.    I made that decision when I was elected.   I wanted to keep my health insurance from WSU.   Legislators might be classified as half time employees
 in one respect; however, the number of hours that legislators put in varies dramatically. 
 

 
        I kept track one year and found that I worked an average of 20-25 hours a week on state business outside of the legislative session and about 50 hrs a week while in session January – April. 
 

 That’s all for this week.   Please send me your comments and suggestions.  My e mailis ttrail at house.idaho.gov and my office phone is (208) 332-1184 
 

 Rep. Tom Trail 
 
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