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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><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> <FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></FONT></o:p></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>This has been a busy week in the legislature.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As the Joint Finance and Appropriations
Committee winds down, there is concern surrounding the fact that state revenues
for the past two months have been below projections.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is causing a cautious attitude that
may thwart certain initiatives, such as putting aside $38,000,000 and using the
interest for yearly needs-based scholarships.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There may at least be support for
$2,000,000 ongoing funding for this scholarship program.</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Earlier this session, the House passed a measure for increasing the <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">grocery tax credit</B>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The cost of the plan is $47.5
million.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is expected that the
Senate will offer an amendment that will reduce the fiscal impact
considerably.</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Representative
Scott Bedkey (R-Oakley) has proposed a new plan for teacher
compensation.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Essentially, his
plan allows teachers to move to higher levels of pay in exchange for giving up
their continuing contract rights.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The state compensation plan for teachers needs modification.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall continue my efforts to urge
Representative Bedke to approach educators and begin with a clean slate to seek
a mutually agreeable plan.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3><STRONG>It's time for the legislature to recognize that communities
should have the latitude to make some of their own decisions regarding
taxing for community projects.</STRONG> A measure to allow voter-approved
local option taxes to fund responsible solutions to transportation problems was
defeated in the House Revenue and Taxation committee. The bill had the
backing of a broad coalition of stakeholders, including Mayors and local
business leaders.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Moscow citizens and leaders developed legislation to give
<STRONG>important address confidentiality protection</STRONG> to victims of
domestic violence. We suffered a setback when the Judiciary and Rules
Committee reconsidered and defeated the bill. We'll continue our efforts,
and try again next year.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3><STRONG>English will be the official language of the state of Idaho
</STRONG>and the only language used for government business if the House goes
along with the Idaho Senate. The Senate approved this measure by a vote of
20-15.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>It looks as though the <STRONG>state may pay for increases in health
insurance costs for public employees next fiscal year. </STRONG>The
situation could change, though, as it requires sufficient reserves in the
insurance fund.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>When the <STRONG>public education appropriation </STRONG>is debated on
the House floor, I will argue for a 5% raise for teachers to match the 5% raise
for public employees. (Tom Luna's budget gives teachers a 3% raise.)
The cost of living increase is reported to be about 3.8%. In addition, the state
does not specifically fund health insurance benefits for teachers. This is
provided by local districts, and fortunes differ from one district to the
next.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>It is expected that we will conclude this session within the next two
weeks. Let me know if you have questions.</FONT></P>
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size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Shirley Ringo</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3></FONT> </P><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></PRE></PRE><PRE> </PRE><PRE><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </PRE><PRE> </PRE><PRE><PRE><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></PRE><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></PRE></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>