[Vision2020] final legislative report from Shirley Ringo

[Shirley Ringo]

Visionaries:

This legislative session was a difficult one - adversely affected by choices made at the very beginning.  We had to deal with challenges presented by a struggling economy - the choices set the tone.  A reasonable, multi-pronged approach should have included finding efficiencies, responsible budget cuts, and carefully crafted revenue enhancements.  My membership on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) gives me access to budget decisions, but we were severely limited by lack of revenue enhancements and a low revenue projection accepted by the majority.
I objected strenuously to the stingy appropriations for k-12 education and colleges and universities.  My colleagues on JFAC and I offered ideas for improving those budgets, but did not get support from the majority.  With the economic downturn, we expect higher Medicaid caseloads.  In addition, the numbers of inmates in the corrections system are increasing.  In my opinion, the limited funds we appropriated in this session are simply not going to work.  Unless we see a quick improvement in revenues, I would foresee huge problems in Medicaid, Mental Health Services, Public Health Services, and Corrections budgets. 

I worked to improve transparency and contract procedures involved in the Idaho Education Network.  Due to the Governor's strong support of the status quo, this was not an easy task.  I will watch closely to see if this improves. 

There was legislation I was happy to support:

                The Child Protection Act made guardian ad lidem provisions to improve advocacy for the best interest of the child.

Senate Bill 1382 provides a process for a court to use when deciding whether or not to grant de facto custodian status to a grandparent or other relative.  It establishes standards 

                to apply when considering whether to award custody rights to a de facto custodian. 

                We removed complications that arose a year ago regarding vaccines for insured and non-insured children.  Now vaccines will be available at federal rates for all children, and the physician 

                may carry one stock of vaccine supplies.

                We increased the non-point source limit on State Revolving Fund loans from 5% of the total state revolving loan fund to 20% in order to meet the federal Green Infrastructure 

                requirements.

                People with epilepsy who control seizures using prescription drugs sometimes suffer ill effects when the formulation of an anti-epileptic drug is changed.  We enacted legislation that

                provides that if pharmacists change the product, they shall notify the physician and the patient.

I believe there was legislation that wasted time or, worse, will cost the state by bringing litigation:

                The Firearms Freedom Act provides that firearms and ammunition manufactured in Idaho using parts manufactured in Idaho will be exempt from federal law or regulations.  This passed 

                despite the Idaho Attorney General's opinion that it is likely unconstitutional.

                The Freedom of Conscience for Healthcare Professionals provides that no healthcare professional shall be civilly, criminally, or administratively liable for declining to provide healthcare 

                services that violate his or her conscience.

                The Health Freedom Act states that every person in Idaho is free from government compulsion in the selection of Health Insurance Options.

                A resolution urges Congress to Amend the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution to limit the role of the federal government as it relates to states.

                Legislation failed that would declare the Idaho Giant Salamander as the official state amphibian.

A House Bill to provide penalties for texting while driving was amending in the Senate.  The final proposal provided:

                First violation an infraction with a fine of $50;

                Second and subsequent violations where there is no property damage or injury, an infraction with a fine of $100;

                A violation where there is property damage or injury, a fine of not more than $300, or up to 90 days in jail, or both.  This is classified as a misdemeanor.

The House narrowly approved the amended version, but because we had to hurry the process to meet our planned adjournment, a 2/3 favorable vote was needed to consider the bill.  We did not get the required 2/3, so the bill died.  

My JFAC duties are demanding.  When budget setting begins, our first meeting each day is at 7 AM.  JFAC meetings are followed by the house session, and I have a committee meeting most afternoons.  In addition, it is my pleasure to work with constituents to prepare legislation for them.  We successfully obtained a special license plate for the Selway-Bitterroot Foundation to advertise their program and obtain additional funding for their stewardship efforts.  The Public Employees needed to change the Bribery and Corruption code so they can offer an award, including one of economic significance as part of an employee recognition program, so we addressed that with legislation.  I joined two colleagues to pass legislation to prohibit the use of severance pay for public employees, including payment by the employer for the purchase of membership services into the Public Employee Retirement System.

I hope my service meets your expectations, and am happy to answer questions and offer assistance where possible.

Representative Shirley Ringo
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/attachments/20100330/e1e13309/attachment.html