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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Shirley:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thanks for sending your update to Vision
2020.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Given the successful passage of Measures 66/67 in
Oregon last month, have you seen any poll numbers on support for a similar
taxing package in Idaho? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>BL</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ringoshirl@moscow.com href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com">Shirley
Ringo</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, February 06, 2010 4:01
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Legislative Report,
Feb. 6</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>Friends:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>One
of the early and critically important actions of the Joint Finance and
Appropriations Committee involves the official projection of general fund
revenue for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This is an action with great political implications.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those who are extremely conservative
and push for reduced state-funded programs will try for a low number.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On Friday, February 12, JFAC will
probably take action.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In all
probability, the projection for FY 2010 will be 3% below the Governor’s
recommendation, and the projection for FY 2011 will be 6% below the Governor’s
recommendation.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>The
Republican majority is determined to deal with reduced revenue by using
reserve funds and cutting support for programs.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I believe a more balanced approach
would also require certain revenue enhancement. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>People in District 6 and around the state need to decide whether
the narrow approach taken by the Republican majority takes us in the right
direction.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Here are some of the
results:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Phase out state support for Public Television, the Human Rights
Commission, the Hispanic Commission, the Independent Living Council, the
Developmental Disabilities Council, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Council, and
the Digital Learning Academy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>(JFAC will probably not act on these recommendations unless the
appropriate policy committees concur.)</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Medicaid will charge user fees for parents of children with
disabilities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(These fees are to
be on a sliding scale, based upon gross income.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is problematic because of
expenditures parents must make to provide for the special needs of their
children.)</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Greatly reduced support for State Parks.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This requires a business model that
has not been successful in other states and a reduction of 25
positions.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Further reductions in support for Higher Education, requiring
furloughs, cuts in programs and higher student fees.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Proposed cuts in
Professional/Technical Education could result in the need to return millions
of dollars to the federal government.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Reduced support for Agricultural Research and Extension Service may
force closure of a number of Research and Extension Centers.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Deeper cuts will challenge the Department of Corrections.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The prison population is growing.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Further cuts will require furloughs
and add challenges with respect to supervision.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>It
is clear that reductions in spending are required, and we must be creative in
seeking efficiencies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However,
cuts can be damaging.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Loss of
jobs for state employees and cuts in some services will have serious effects
on the private sector and their ability to create and sustain
employment.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>I
will propose these measures to enhance revenue:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>5% surcharge on income tax for those with more than $50,000 taxable
income.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(For example, a family of
four earning approximately $75,000 would have taxable income over
$50,000.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The 5% surcharge would
add about $164 to their yearly tax.)</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Partially freeze growth of the Grocery Tax Credit.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(The credit has been increasing by $10
per person per year, with the goal of reaching $100 per person per year.)<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Hire additional compliance officers to recover unpaid taxes owed to the
state.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Impose an additional 50-cent per pack tax on
cigarettes.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>(One of my colleagues has a proposal to collect taxes on internet
sales.)</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>The
Governor opposes the partial freeze of the grocery tax credit saying, “This is
a promise we must keep.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In 2006,
we held a special session at the call of acting Governor James Risch.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The purpose was to shift support of
public education from an automatic property tax assessment to the sales
tax.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To confirm their support of
this shift, citizens were asked to vote on raising the sales tax from 5% to 6%
for the purpose of “protecting education.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Approximately two years later,
legislators voted to increase the grocery tax credit in stages.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When the incremental changes are
complete, it will cost the state about half of the money gained by the 6%
sales tax to “protect education.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It would seem that we broke our promise to the people when we raided
funds available to education to pay for a new program.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>I
will appreciate hearing from you regarding your questions or
opinions.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>Representative Shirley Ringo</FONT></P></FONT></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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