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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>2008 Legislative Report for Constituents</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>(This is a review of some of the issues of the session. Please let
me know if you have questions.)</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>1.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>Community achievement:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>House Bill 501, address protection for
victims of domestic violence, resulted from the efforts of District 6
residents.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After a series of
meetings involving interested parties, Professor Elizabeth Brandt crafted
legislation modeled after <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State> state law.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Professor Brandt testified in House and
Senate Judiciary Committees, responding to technical questions regarding the
legislation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fran Halstead
(Kendrick) and Carl Hulquist also testified.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The bill, sponsored by Representatives
Trail and Ringo, passed unanimously in both committees, and in the House and
Senate.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a great contribution
to <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> law
which will provide an important protection tool for victims of domestic
violence.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>2.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>Much work remains to be done concerning early
childhood issues.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall continue
work with others to protect young children by enacting minimal safety standards
and requiring background checks in the child day care centers that are currently
unregulated.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">I am pleased that
I had the opportunity to work through the Joint Finance and Appropriations
Committee to maintain funding for Headstart programs.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B>Cuts in positions for families to
participate in Headstart were avoided.</FONT></FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>I will continue my work with Representative John
Rusche (<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:place></st1:City>) and others to establish an office of
early childhood to deal with issues related to childcare and pre-K
education.</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
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style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>3.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>With Senator Joyce Broadsword, I co-sponsored
legislation to keep children safe in moving vehicles.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The legislation was crafted to eliminate
exceptions allowing children to be removed from safety seats.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I heard from a number of individuals who
were prepared to testify in favor of this legislation, but House leadership
blocked a public hearing on the bill.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>4.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>Funding for repair of bridges and roads was a
critical issue for this legislature.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The fact that no resolution was reached regarding increased funding
constitutes a huge legislative failure.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Governor Otter indicates a need of $200 million
per year to address a huge backlog in work required for repair of roads and
bridges.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are a number of
bridges over fifty years old that need maintenance and repair.</FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>I believe people in leadership lacked the
political will, in an election year, to propose funding solutions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Governor Otter was critical of this
failure, but frankly he didn’t have much of a plan either.</FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>38% of funding in the Highway Distribution Account
goes to local units of government, where support is also needed for important
projects.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is sad that this must
wait for another legislative session.</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
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style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>5.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>Because of Governor Otter’s veto of the appropriation
for substance abuse treatment, a revised budget at 90% of the original
appropriation was passed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
result of the veto is that approximately 640 county inmates who would have
gotten help will not receive treatment.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
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style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>6.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>Sometimes a victory comes in the form of
prevention.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>a.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>iSTARS – considerable time was consumed in stopping
adoption of this plan.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The iSTARS
plan for compensating teachers was politically motivated, and thin on promoting
educational excellence.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Prior to
the session, I began efforts by writing editorials that explained the
deficiencies of the plan and I participated in a panel sponsored by the
associated press, where the plan was discussed.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many teachers testified against the plan
in the Senate Education Committee.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Efforts will continue to establish a sound pay for
performance plan for teachers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
hope teachers will be allowed greater participation in these discussions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee appropriated $50,000 for a
Teacher Evaluation Task Force.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It
is recognized that in order to have a successful pay for performance plan, there
must be effective teacher evaluation to assist in professional
growth.</FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The Superintendent of Public Instruction (Tom Luna) is directed to
assemble the task force with members to include:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>three superintendents, principals, or
public charter school directors; three members of school district boards of
trustees of public charter school boards of directors; and three classroom
teachers (at least two of whom must be members of teacher
associations).</FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>b.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>The proposal to completely remove the tax on personal
property was greatly problematic when combined with the increased grocery tax
credit that was adopted.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
combined cost to state revenues would build out to over $240 million in the
future, and is simply not affordable.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>A deficit in needed revenue to the state would likely result by
2012.</FONT></FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>My colleagues proposed that the first $50,000 of personal property be
exempted from taxation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is an
affordable proposal that would exempt all personal property taxation for small
businesses.</FONT></P>
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face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Finally, a compromise was reached that exempts the first $100,000 of
personal property tax.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This covers
approximately 88% of small businesses and protects tax payers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Most businesses not covered by this
exemption realized significant tax relief when the 0.3% local property tax for
schools was shifted to sales tax for the source of funds. (special session
2006)</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>c.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>I will continue to support the local option tax.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is an important tool that local
governments should have, and they want to have it.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, it was unnecessary and
inappropriate to attempt to use the Idaho Constitution to address the local
option tax.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Among the reasons the I
opposed the amendment to the constitution:</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 135pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 135.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>1.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>It required 66% local voter approval, even thought
some local governments can now approve a sales tax on a 60%
margin;</FONT></FONT></P>
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style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 135pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 135.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>2.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>It required that all counties within a transportation
region or other regional planning area meet the 66% requirement.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This would have meant that 34% of the
voters in one county could prevent local transportation funding from being
approved in an entire region.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 135pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 135.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>3.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>It proposed limiting approval of local option funding
to one date per year, meaning that once a measure would fail, even in one
county, it would take an entire year before voters could try
again.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 135pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 135.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT
size=3>4.</FONT><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>It is unnecessary to address this issue in the
Constitution.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It can be
successfully addressed in statute.</FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Although this proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution received the
2/3 favorable vote required in the House, the Senate declined to give it
approval.</FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>