[Vision2020] End of Legislative session from Ringo

[Shirley Ringo]

Visionaries:

End of 2012 Legislative Session

Representative Shirley Ringo

 

Significant budgetary actions during this session include:

 

There was a 4.6% general fund increase in the appropriation for public schools.  With other funds included, such as federal funding, the increase in K-12 public school funding was .4%.

·         Last year, as part of the "Luna Laws," reductions in state funding for educators' salaries were put in place from fiscal years 2012 to 2017 to help fund technology and a pay for performance plan.  A positive action taken during this session retracted those planned reductions.  However, in that same legislation it was specified that in 2014, all other needs for education funding should be addressed before raises in state support for educator salary can be considered.

·         We need to keep in mind that there are still ongoing reductions in support for educators' salaries amounting to about $27 million.  During this session, I tried to address these, but was not successful.

·         I am sorry Senate Bill 1358, the anti-bullying bill, was not passed this year.  It was passed by a vote of 25 - 8 (with two absences) in the Senate.  It was blocked in the House by Education chair Bob Nonini and house leadership.

·         I believe there are bad decisions made regarding education policy - decisions made by individuals with no meaningful background in education.  One trend with which I strongly disagree involves the notion that speed is more important than depth in learning.  Our current approach to educating children reminds me of skipping a rock on the surface of a pond.

·         Legislation sponsored by House Education Committee Chair Bob Nonini would have given a credit on state income taxes to individuals and corporations that make donations to scholarship granting organizations.  He would have limited the credits to $10 million in each fiscal year.  This legislation would have allowed tax credits for donations to private schools. The legislation was stopped when Dennis Lake, Chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee, noted that legislation dealing with tax issues must start in his committee.

 

Colleges and Universities received an 8.6% increase in general funds.  Much of this involves "maintenance funding" which should always be included but has not in recent years.

·         When a university has new construction available for use, there are ongoing costs associated with using that new space - occupancy costs.  The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee has a policy to determine which of these costs are funded by the state.  In recent years, we have not provided this support - this year we funded some but not all.

·         State appropriations have not been supplied for enrollment growth in recent years.  This should be done if we expect universities to maintain program levels.  This year, there is money in the budget for enrollment growth.

·         $2 million was supplied for research - $1 million to the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at Idaho Falls (U of I, BSU, and ISU share in that research), and $1 million for research projects shared by universities and industry.

 

Medicaid received an 8.7% increase from the general fund.  Part of this funding is for caseload growth.  

·         Good news is that dental care is restored for adults with disabilities.  Legislation from last year required that those who have both mental and physical disabilities must choose therapy for one, but not both of those issues.  This year we restored support so that one can obtain therapy for both.

·         Unfortunately, other individuals on Medicaid will not have access to assistance for non-emergency dental care.  Nobody has support for routine vision care.

·         There was some funding for a Suicide Hotline.  Idaho's suicide rate is high compared with other states, and we are currently the only state without a suicide hotline.  

·         I believe it was important for legislators to make progress on a Healthcare Exchange.  Instead, there was maneuvering among factions of the majority party, and defying the federal government won out over affordable and accessible options for health insurance.

·         Considerable time and energy was spent on the forced ultrasound issue.  I believe some individuals were willing to cross a line to put legislative noses into issues that were none of their business.  Fortunately, the legislation stalled on the House side.  

 

The minority party attempted to address the topic of ethics during this session.  Leaders in the majority party promised to join in that effort.  However, that did not occur.  In my opinion, the one-party rule that has prevailed in the Idaho Legislature has led to a negligent culture regarding ethics.  For example, a Senate Committee chair presided over discussions and decisions regarding oil and gas explorations.  This Senator failed to disclose his personal holdings and the degree to which he would be affected by these decisions.  Concerns were raised, and many in the majority party scoffed at those concerns. We owe it to you, the people to provide the transparency to give assurance that our decisions here do not promote our own financial agendas.  

 

While programs received better funding this year than in the 2011 legislative session, there have been dramatic cuts since 2009 that have not yet been addressed.  These cuts have cost jobs and curtailed opportunity for Idaho citizens.  We should also focus upon infrastructure needs that are critical.  We have been told that we are short $543 million per year of properly maintaining Idaho roads and bridges, and that we have a $500 million backlog of maintenance on state buildings.  In view of this, I find it highly questionable that this legislature should have approved a $35.7 million ongoing reduction in state revenue.  

 

I look forward to joining you in Moscow soon.  Remember, the primary election is May 15.  On the Secretary of State's site, you can find the form to declare your political affiliation.  Remember to bring your ID, and remember that only those who have declared their affiliation with the Republican Party can vote on Republican primary candidates. 
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