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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As the legislative session comes
to a close, I write to provide a brief synopsis of the major issues that were
before us this session.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I would
also like to relate how I feel about the end results of the 2005 legislative
session.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The tone of this legislative
session was set at the very beginning.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The Governor indicated that the 6% sales tax rate would sunset as
scheduled.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With that stroke, about
$180,000,000 was lost.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With that
went support for public and higher education, health programs, and fair salary
increases for public employees and public school teachers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The budgets set by the Joint Finance and
Appropriations Committee were at a bare minimum.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Some of us argued vigorously for
more money for employees and programs.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The big issue looming involves a taxing system that is neither fair nor
adequate.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We will continue to
insist that this issue be addressed.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">At the same time, this
legislature voted for tax breaks and incentives well in excess of
$10,000,000.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We would hope these
will provide economic stimuli and be good investments for <?xml:namespace prefix
= st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>, but these are
rarely evaluated, and are not removed if not effective.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Water issues consumed our
attention, with the Nez Perce and Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer agreements.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Certain aspects of the bills to
address the water crisis in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer were troubling.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To begin, the process reflected little
consideration for <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> citizens.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In a rush to pass these pieces of
legislation, a complex funding plan was discussed and passed prior to giving the
public an opportunity to inspect it. The funding bill was passed ahead of a
mechanism for providing the money.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Many questions were not adequately considered, including the high cost of
buying water rights from approximately 10 to 20 farmers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There have been questions about
my negative vote on this issue, as the bill contained money for Palouse water
studies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please accept my
assurances I would not have jeopardized that funding for our District.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, on your behalf, I felt
obligated to object to a process where citizens like you do not have the
opportunity to see the details of legislation prior to action on it.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">On a positive note, I was proud
to be instrumental in favorable outcomes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I made motions in the Joint Finance Committee for support of Agriculture
Research and Extension and Vocational-Technical Education that were
supported.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When Public Television
was threatened by lack of funding for replacement of obsolete equipment, I
crafted a proposal to provide that support. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">At the time of this writing,
there is not final resolution on the GARVEE bonding for financing road
construction.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is my hope that we
will retain the funding mechanism, but with limits on debt level and more
flexibility on projects. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As always, please contact me with
your concerns.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Shirley </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Ringo</P>
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