[Vision2020] PR - City Officials Meet Regarding Legislative Issues

[Stephanie Kalasz]

City of Moscow
206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
p     |  208-883-7006
e     |   griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>
w    |  www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>

PRESS RELEASE
City Officials meet to receive Information and Discuss Legislative Issues

January 31, 2012 (Moscow, Idaho) - On January 26th, more than 300 city officials, legislators and state executive branch officials came together for the 2012 City Officials' Day at the Capitol hosted by the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC). The event provided a legislative briefing covering several topics of interest to city officials.  Boise Mayor David Bieter provided an update on the statewide local option tax initiative, which is hoped will be on the November general election ballot.  AIC Executive Director Ken Harward discussed proposed state video franchise legislation sponsored by CenturyLink and the Idaho Cable Telecommunications Association and AIC Counsel Jerry Mason explained the status of legislation concerning local government siting and permitting authority for oil and natural gas facilities.

As President of the Association of Idaho Cities, Mayor Chaney arrived on January 25th to meet with the AIC Board of Directors, AIC staff, experts from the Environmental Finance Center for EPA Region 10, and with key Legislators at the Capitol. She attended University of Idaho presentations to the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) by President M. Duane Nellis and John Hammel, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Governor's signing ceremony, proclaiming January 25 as "University of Idaho Higher Education Day."

Legislative leaders were on hand to offer remarks, including Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill,
Speaker of the House Lawrence Denney, House Minority Leader John Rusche, and Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee Chair Tim Corder.

Chairman Corder's remarks concerning proposals for tax relief, which so far have focused on personal property taxes, were especially relevant.  Corder expressed his desire to engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders in an effort to find tax policy solutions that make sense for Idaho's long term economic growth and development.

Also discussed were EPA stormwater requirements being faced by more and more cities in state and nation.  "Cities in Idaho are challenged to meet-and pay for-EPA water quality standards, subsequent to the precedent set by the State Supreme Court's recent ruling on Lewiston's stormwater utility fee system," the Mayor said. Conference attendees discussed topics of pending legislation, including video franchising, speed limits on highways through cities, funding for State Alcohol Beverage Control, online posting of budget and spending information, and the State Plumbing Code, among others.

Nearly all of the 105 members of the Idaho Legislature were on hand for the legislative luncheon also held on the 27th.  Attendees included Lieutenant Governor Brad Little, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, State Treasurer Ron Crane, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, and State Controller Donna Jones amongst Idaho's elected officials and City staff.

Several state agency directors were also in attendance, including:
Toni Hardesty, Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality;
Brent Reinke, Director of the Idaho Department of Corrections;
John Chatburn, Administrator of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources;
Nancy Merrill, Director of the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation;
Sharon Harrigfeld, Director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections;
Roger Madsen, Director of the Idaho Department of Labor; and
Col. Jerry Russell, Director of the Idaho State Police.

At lunch, AIC President Nancy Chaney recognized former AIC Executive Director Marty Peterson for a half century of continuous public service in Idaho.  Peterson recently retired after 20 years as Special Assistant to the President of the University of Idaho, and is recognized as a most articulate and effective advocate for higher education.

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Story Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
Phone: 208.883.7006
Email: griedner at ci.moscow.id.us<mailto:griedner at ci.moscow.id.us>


The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources.
We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.



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