<DIV>Well, me and my wallet certainly feel safer now that the Idaho State Legislature has adjourned. I wish we had a legislature that would pass legislation to improve the lives of people instead of always trying to steal from them or to limit their personal liberties. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best Regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Donovan<BR><BR><B><I>Shirley Ringo <ringoshirl@moscow.com></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3268" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <DIV 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></o:p></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV
class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>2008 Legislative Report for Constituents</FONT></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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>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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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>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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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>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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV 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>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></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></DIV> <DIV 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></DIV></FONT></DIV>=======================================================<BR>List services made available by First Step Internet, <BR>serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. <BR>http://www.fsr.net
<BR>mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com<BR>=======================================================</BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p> 
<hr size=1>You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=47523/*http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com">one month of Blockbuster Total Access</a>, No Cost.