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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 27,
2009<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>Dear
Friends:<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 Idaho
Legislature.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><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>We’ve had two sessions of Stimulus
101 – it is very complex and we are working to understand how these funds can
best be used to benefit Idaho.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN 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>Undoubtedly all this talk about
revenue and taxes is somewhat dry, but that’s where most of the action is
now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If I tell you I am finding it
interesting, you will probably think my life here in Boise isn’t very
exciting.<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>There has been lively debate
concerning whether to raise the beer and wine tax.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those lobbying against this increase
have been extremely aggressive in organizing folks to correspond with
legislators about their opposition to the idea.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this time, I am happy that my
assignment does not include the Revenue and Taxation Committee.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those legislators received hundreds of
messages opposing House Bill 140.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>(To raise the beer and wine tax.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Communication with individuals who delivered these messages, determined
that many of them did not fully understand certain aspects of the
legislation.<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>The tax on beer has not seen an
increase since 1961.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The tax on
wine has not been changed since 1971.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The tax increase would mean an additional $10.92 each year for someone
who drinks a six-pack per week, and approximately an additional $13.42 each year
for a wine drinker who drinks six glasses of wine a week.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The revenue would be roughly $19
million, and $14 million of that would fund substance-abuse
treatment.<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>I did not receive many messages
concerning this legislation, and I will not have the opportunity to vote on it
this year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yesterday the bill was
defeated in the Revenue and Taxation Committee by a vote of 13 – 5, so it will
not come to the full House for a vote.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>However, there are rumors that another version of the bill may surface
this session.<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>A recent audit of the Department of
Transportation showed that revenue for the department is not adequate to
properly maintain existing roads.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>As you probably know, Governor Otter put forth proposals to increase
taxes and fees for the purpose of obtaining funds to properly support road
maintenance. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yesterday (Thursday)
the Transportation Committee heard three proposals to raise gas taxes.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Governor Otter’s proposal would raise
the gas tax an additional two cents a gallon each year for five years.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Transportation Committee Chair JoAn
Wood’s bill would provide an ongoing increase of two cents per gallon, and
committee member Leon Smith’s bill would provide an ongoing increase of five
cents per gallon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this time, the
increase of five cents per gallon seems most intriguing to me.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The legislation specifies that the
additional funds must be used on maintenance of existing pavement.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Since vehicles differ in their
efficiency and individual family needs for travel differ, it is not possible to
say exactly how a family would be affected.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, it would appear that a ballpark
number would be increased expenditures of about $2 to $2.50 per month per
vehicle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am curious to hear your
opinions on this.<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 we move ahead and begin the
budgeting process, I will do my best to protect Latah County’s interests.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As always, please keep me informed
regarding issues of concern to you.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I may be contacted at 208-301-2272, </FONT><A
href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com"><FONT
face=Calibri>ringoshirl@moscow.com</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri>, or </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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