[Vision2020] Legislative Report

Donovan Arnold donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com
Fri Mar 4 16:18:22 PST 2011


Shirley,
 
I imagine that the legislature will only get worse as the Republican Party will only allow registered Republicans to vote in their future primaries. That means only very conservative Republicans will be in their party. The Tea Party Republicans will look like socialists. Thanks for fighting for the interests of the 6th. 
 
Donovan Arnold

--- On Fri, 3/4/11, Shirley Ringo <ringoshirl at moscow.com> wrote:


From: Shirley Ringo <ringoshirl at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] Legislative Report
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Friday, March 4, 2011, 1:02 PM






Legislative Report 
>From Representative Shirley Ringo
 
As this legislative session wears on, we become better acquainted with our new legislators.  The “Tea Party” faction was energized in the most recent election, sending many extremely conservative legislators to Boise.  Their influence on decision-making is continually emerging.
 
For example, yesterday (March 3) there was a bill to extend benefits for the unemployed.  The measure uses federal funds only.  It provides relief to families where the wage-earners have been unable to secure jobs, and stimulates the economy.
One would expect such a bill to gain considerable support.  Well, wrong again.        
 
Representative Steve Thayne moved to reject the bill.  “These people shouldn’t delay their search for jobs,” he said.  (People who receive unemployment benefits must verify that they are seeking work to qualify for payments.)
 
I was horrified at the number of others who joined in.  The theme involved describing lazy folks who are scamming the system.  Besides, they don’t pay taxes on the benefits, one said.  (In fact, they do.)
 
Fortunately, the measure passed.  (41- 28 – 1)  The twenty-eight nay votes came from roughly half of the members of the majority party.
 
House Bill 129 passed March 3.  (56 – 13 – 1)  This legislation weakens Idaho law for childcare providers by relaxing standards relating to the number of children per each adult staff member.  
 
The Joint Finance Committee passed a budget for colleges and universities today.  The general fund support was down by 3.5%, or about $7.7 million.  I offered a motion designed to give better support to colleges and universities.  It failed by a vote of 16-4, with the only favorable votes coming from my colleagues in the minority party.
 
Educators, parents, and students who have come to the capitol building to testify against the “education reform” bills must be feeling discouraged.  Despite overwhelming testimony against Senate Bills 1110 (merit pay) and 1108 (anti-union), the House Education Committee passed them with only five dissenting votes.  (13- 5)  Senate Bill 1113 (increase class size/more on-line classes) is still being held in the Senate Education Committee.  I would hope it will stay there.  In theory, the money saved in that scheme would make money available for merit pay.  It appears the parts are not fitting together at this time.
 
Hearings will be held next week relating to changes in Health and Welfare policy.  Most of these changes will involve cost containment, and many will be drastically unfortunate for our folks with disabilities.  
 
I am always delighted to see visitors from District 6.  Recently, there have been folks from the Daily News and Lewiston Morning Tribune, the Historical Society, educators, the Moscow Fire Department, Democrats attending the Frank and Bethine Church dinner, parents and students, and other constituents.  I have also heard from many of you with opinions and suggestions regarding legislation.  Thank you, and continue to let me know of your concerns.
 
Sincerely,
 
Shirley Ringo
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