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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>From the
Legislature<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>February 19,
2009<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Shirley
Ringo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Greetings from the Statehouse!<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are finishing our sixth week of the
legislative session, and I write to give you an update on what is happening in
Boise.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Members of the Joint Finance and
Appropriations Committee return to the drawing board for another look at budget
proposals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Efforts are directed
towards understanding how to use recovery funds coming our
way.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Next Monday’s hearing in the Joint
Finance Committee will focus upon “Navigating the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Taking
time to understand the implications of the Act is slowing the process here, and
will undoubtedly push back our sine die.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>However, it is complicated and we need to be sure to use these resources
to best advantage.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some are calling
it “Stimulus Package 101.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>On consecutive days, the House was
honored with visits from Senator Mike Crapo and Senator James Risch. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both hastened to point out their
displeasure with the “stimulus bill.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Senator Risch brought a stack of papers about one foot high (to
approximate the bill) and asked if anyone in the chamber had read the bill.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He sought to drive his point home by
indicating that the bill contained an earmark of $50 million for the endangered
“red-breasted harvest mouse found only in Nancy Pelosi’s district.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The problem with making claims in this
arena is that someone is bound to check them out.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The information that there is no such
earmark and no such mouse in Pelosi’s district did not elicit much more than a
shrug from Risch or his team.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Much discussion has been focused upon
the issue of raising the beer and wine tax.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The proposal involves a 7.8% tax on the
wholesale price of beer.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>58% of the
revenues would go to substance abuse treatment, 9.5% to the Permanent Building
fund, and the rest to the general fund.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The tax on the wholesale price of wine would be 4.5%.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>58% of the revenue would go to substance
abuse treatment, 1.5% to grape growers, and the rest to the general fund.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is likely that members of the Revenue
and Taxation will vote on this proposal next Monday.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(February 23.)<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Lobbying groups for the beer and wine
industry have been very active in opposing this legislation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A close vote is
expected.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>It is widely accepted that Idaho’s
method of funding for highway maintenance is not adequate. A variety of
legislative proposals are being submitted to the Transportation Committee as
legislators attempt to deal with the problem.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The winner for a “thinking outside the
box” solution (in my opinion) involves a bill proposed by Russell Matthews
(R-Idaho Falls) and Marv Hagedorn (R-Meridian).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They propose design and sales of silver
and gold transportation medallions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The theme of the design would be “pioneering infrastructure,” and
proceeds would go to the state highway account.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Other proposals include the more
traditional approach of raising taxes or fees – mostly the gas tax and
registration fees in varying amounts.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Last week, a bill was introduced in
the House Education that confirmed my fears that certain legislators would
exploit the unfortunate circumstances of this economic downturn.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The bill proposes changes in code to
deal with the financial emergency, but made permanent changes to deal with a
temporary situation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition,
the bill proposes changes that are politically, rather than fiscally
motivated.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you are interested in
checking out the details, it is House Bill 117.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One can hope that funds from the
recovery and reinvestment act will put an end to such antics.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Provisions of the legislation are being
discussed by interested parties.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
have been impressed by the willingness of educators to make sacrifices in order
to keep teachers in the classroom and the number of students per classroom in
check.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Legislators who are Vandal fans took
advantage of an opportunity to exercise bragging rights regarding our superb
basketball team.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>As always, please feel free to
contact me with questions or comments on issues of concern to you.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My e-mail is </FONT><A
href="mailto:sringo@house.idaho.gov"><FONT
face=Calibri>sringo@house.idaho.gov</FONT></A><FONT
face=Calibri>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT
face=Calibri>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Representative Shirley
Ringo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
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