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<DIV>Shirley,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Could you give us a list of the 13 projects Gov. Dork wants? I don't
remember hearing anything about much between here and Boise. I think there are
some for north of Coeur d'Alene.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Dick Schmidt</DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ringoshirl@moscow.com href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com">Shirley
Ringo</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, April 01, 2005 12:28
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] GARVEE bonds</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The GARVEE bill, which would
afford the opportunity to use bonds to fund highway construction, was
presented early in this legislative session.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There has been plenty of time for
folks to think about it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
concept has been on my mind rather constantly. There has always been a good
chance it would be considered in the House Transportation Committee, of which
I am a member.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Payment of these
bonds would be based upon future federal highway funds.)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I have certain concerns about
the legislation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>First, the bill
reads that only thirteen specific projects may be addressed with these
funds.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am not thrilled with all
of the projects in the list, and I think the Transportation Board should have
the latitude to make substitutions if appropriate.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Second, some individuals would like to
see a cap placed upon the amount that may be borrowed.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I like the concept of having
this tool to fund projects, because it may accelerate our ability to address
the issue of unsafe roads.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There
is also the potential of saving money by beginning projects sooner.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have received messages from
University students and President White requesting my support.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Wednesday, the bill was
presented to the Transportation Committee.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During the course of a very long
meeting, we heard lots of testimony.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Since the Lewiston Morning Tribune has erroneously reported I voted
against the bill, I would like to explain the course of events.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">During committee discussion, it
became clear there wasn’t support for the bill among the majority of the
members.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There were three
motions:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>(1) send the bill to the House floor with a “do pass” recommendation:
(2)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>hold the bill in committee
subject to the call of the chair – this would mean we would meet again for
further consideration;<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(3)<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>send the bill to the amending order
for consideration of changes and action by the House.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The bills are voted upon in
reverse order – 3, 2, 1.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I felt
sure the bill would be killed if we voted upon the first motion.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thus, I voted in favor of motion 3,
and that failed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then the only
way to keep the concept alive was to vote for motion 2.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That passed.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was not a decision to kill the
legislation.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I think improvements are
possible, but I support the concept.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I hope this clarifies my actions, but let me know if you have
questions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Shirley</P></DIV>
<P>
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