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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>May 5,
2009<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Greetings from the
Legislature!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Regarding business
left to consider, this legislative session nears its end.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The number of days remaining in the
session is not clear.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This session
has been a study of political styles of key leaders.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the waning days, ego wins over common
sense.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>During and after
my campaign, I have supported a modest increase in the fuel tax.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This has not been adjusted since 1996,
and the level of the tax currently brings insufficient revenue for road
maintenance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Just as we work
to maintain our homes and vehicles to protect our investment, we should protect
our investment in infrastructure. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>During the time
between the 2008 and 2009 legislative sessions, our Governor has made it clear –
funding for maintenance of roads was a top priority.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He is to be commended for going around
the state to solicit opinions on the matter.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His ability to get results is a gauge of
his leadership.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>From the Governor’s
point of view, a successful outcome on the first bill was critical.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The first transportation funding bill
was not heard on the House floor until March 19. The bill was designed to
increase the fuel tax by seven cents per gallon over three years.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There were 27 votes in favor, and 46
votes against.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Only twenty-four of
the fifty-two Republicans in the House supported the Governor that day.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There were at least nine Democrats who
would have supported the Governor had he given certain assurances regarding
support for education.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But by the
time the Governor acknowledged the Democrats’ concerns, much later, his
Republican support had evaporated.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Resolution of this issue hangs in the balance as we await an end to the
session.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>This session has
been a tough one for budgeting.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Stimulus dollars have help to an extent.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The higher education appropriation had
the benefit of approximately $15 million in stimulus funds for fiscal year 2010,
with a like amount available for use in fiscal year 2011.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Higher education officials opted for use
of stimulus funds over two years, rather than to use them all at once.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Overall, the general fund
appropriation for higher education was down 14.7% from the original 2008
appropriation, and the total was down 5.8%.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All institutions will be challenged to
maintain effort with this budget.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>This has been a
record bad year for K-12 public schools.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I believe it is the first year that general fund spending for public
schools has decreased compared to the prior year.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The general fund appropriation has
decreased 7.7% from fiscal year 2009.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Most disturbing, $20 million of stimulus money was spent so we could
reduce the general fund appropriation by $20 million and to use that money for
other budgetary concerns.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
public school budget was then augmented by an additional $40 million of stimulus
money.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>There have been
several attacks on K-12 education policy mounted by conservative lawmakers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have joined my colleagues to control
damage, with a measure of success.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Every session has
the legislation I brand as having entertainment value only.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A few of those for this session
include:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Representative
Russell Matthews (R-Idaho Falls) sponsored legislation directing the State
Treasurer to issue commemorative medallions to be sold to get funding for
highway maintenance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s almost as
good as a bake sale. (Passed the House, held in the
Senate.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Representative
Richard Harwood (R-Saint Maries) sponsored a joint memorial criticizing congress
for inappropriately delegating its monetary authority to the private Federal
Reserve Bank. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Further, the memorial
would prohibit federal legislation requiring states to pass certain legislation
in order to obtain federal funding. (Passed House and
Senate)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Senator Gary
Schroeder (R-Moscow) sponsored legislation requiring the Department of Fish and
Game to contact, in writing, all state agencies within the United States with
comparable powers and duties as those vested in the Department, soliciting
interest in the transfer of wolves from Idaho to such agency.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Passed Senate and
House)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Representative
Phil Hart (R-Hayden) sponsored legislation stating that when the Canadian gray
wolf population exceeds one hundred fifty percent of the population objectives
identified in the wolf conservation and management plan for the state of Idaho,
and a Canadian gray wolf causes the death of a person within the state of Idaho,
any person who protects wolves shall be guilty of a felony.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Held in House Resources
Committee)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>I hope to be
seeing you on the streets of Latah County soon.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As always, feel free to contact me with
ideas and concerns.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT><A
href="mailto:sringo@house.idaho.gov"><FONT
face=Calibri>sringo@house.idaho.gov</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri>; </FONT><A
href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com"><FONT
face=Calibri>ringoshirl@moscow.com</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri>;
208-301-2272.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT
face=Calibri>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><FONT face=Calibri>Shirley
Ringo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>