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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"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>Today, a
legislative plan I helped to write and sponsor was introduced in the House
Education Committee.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Highlights of
the plan involve the state sharing support for:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Building maintenance</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Immediate resolution of safety issues</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>School construction, on a sliding scale</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Payments for existing indebtedness, on a sliding scale.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I believe this legislation
forcefully addresses the issues in the school facilities lawsuit.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The lawsuit has been consuming time and
money for entirely too long, with no resolution.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If this legislation passes, the state of
<?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> can be
recognized for its efforts to assure that students are educated in buildings
that are safe and conducive to learning.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>There will be recognition that districts differ in their ability to pay
for buildings, and we will move towards a more fair and uniform system.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If this plan is approved, districts will
realize a measure of property tax relief.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There is also a proposal
introduced by the Republican majority to address some of these issues.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is my hope that there will be an
opportunity for educators and citizens to evaluate both plans, with the
resulting decision being best for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place> schools. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The plan submitted by Republican
leadership is House Bill 690. My committee's bill is HB691. I will
post later to highlight the differences between the two pieces of
legislation.</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></BODY></HTML>