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<DIV><FONT size=2>Was there any progress made in seeking to find and report to
the general public the cost of the various tax exemptions and the various
special tax reductions?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>W.</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> Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:43
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] final legislative
report from Shirley Ringo</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>This legislative session was a difficult one –
adversely affected by choices made at the very beginning. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We had to deal with challenges
presented by a struggling economy – the choices set the tone.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A reasonable, multi-pronged approach
should have included finding efficiencies, responsible budget cuts, and
carefully crafted revenue enhancements.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>My membership on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
gives me access to budget decisions, but we were severely limited by lack of
revenue enhancements and a low revenue projection accepted by the
majority.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>I objected
strenuously to the stingy appropriations for k-12 education and colleges and
universities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My colleagues on
JFAC and I offered ideas for improving those budgets, but did not get support
from the majority.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With the
economic downturn, we expect higher Medicaid caseloads.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition, the numbers of inmates in
the corrections system are increasing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In my opinion, the limited funds we appropriated in this session are
simply not going to work.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unless
we see a quick improvement in revenues, I would foresee huge problems in
Medicaid, Mental Health Services, Public Health Services, and Corrections
budgets. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>I worked to
improve transparency and contract procedures involved in the Idaho Education
Network.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Due to the Governor’s
strong support of the status quo, this was not an easy task.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will watch closely to see if this
improves. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>There was
legislation I was happy to support:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The Child Protection Act made guardian ad lidem provisions to improve
advocacy for the best interest of the child.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal><FONT
face=Calibri>Senate Bill 1382 provides a process for a court to use when
deciding whether or not to grant de facto custodian status to a grandparent or
other relative.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It establishes
standards </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>to apply when considering whether to award custody rights to a de facto
custodian. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>We removed complications that arose a year ago regarding vaccines for
insured and non-insured children.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Now vaccines will be available at federal rates for all children, and
the physician </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>may carry one stock of vaccine supplies.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>We increased the non-point source limit on State Revolving Fund loans
from 5% of the total state revolving loan fund to 20% in order to meet the
federal Green Infrastructure </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>requirements.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>People with epilepsy who control seizures using prescription drugs
sometimes suffer ill effects when the formulation of an anti-epileptic drug is
changed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We enacted legislation
that</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>provides that if pharmacists change the product, they shall notify the
physician and the patient.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>I believe
there was legislation that wasted time or, worse, will cost the state by
bringing litigation:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The Firearms Freedom Act provides that firearms and ammunition
manufactured in Idaho using parts manufactured in Idaho will be exempt from
federal law or regulations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This
passed </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>despite the Idaho Attorney General’s opinion that it is likely
unconstitutional.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The Freedom of Conscience for Healthcare Professionals provides that no
healthcare professional shall be civilly, criminally, or administratively
liable for declining to provide healthcare </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>services that violate his or her conscience.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The Health Freedom Act states that every person in Idaho is free from
government compulsion in the selection of Health Insurance Options.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>A resolution urges Congress to Amend the Tenth Amendment of the United
States Constitution to limit the role of the federal government as it relates
to states.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Legislation failed that would declare the Idaho Giant Salamander as the
official state amphibian.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>A House
Bill to provide penalties for texting while driving was amending in the
Senate.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The final proposal
provided:</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>First violation an infraction with a fine of $50;</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Second and subsequent violations where there is no property damage or
injury, an infraction with a fine of $100;</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>A violation where there is property damage or injury, a fine of not
more than $300, or up to 90 days in jail, or both.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is classified as a
misdemeanor.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>The House
narrowly approved the amended version, but because we had to hurry the process
to meet our planned adjournment, a 2/3 favorable vote was needed to consider
the bill.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We did not get the
required 2/3, so the bill died.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>My JFAC
duties are demanding.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When budget
setting begins, our first meeting each day is at 7 AM.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>JFAC meetings are followed by the
house session, and I have a committee meeting most afternoons.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition, it is my pleasure to work
with constituents to prepare legislation for them.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We successfully obtained a special
license plate for the Selway-Bitterroot Foundation to advertise their program
and obtain additional funding for their stewardship efforts.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Public Employees needed to change
the Bribery and Corruption code so they can offer an award, including one of
economic significance as part of an employee recognition program, so we
addressed that with legislation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I joined two colleagues to pass legislation to prohibit the use of
severance pay for public employees, including payment by the employer for the
purchase of membership services into the Public Employee Retirement
System.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>I hope my
service meets your expectations, and am happy to answer questions and offer
assistance where possible.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
face=Calibri>Representative Shirley Ringo</FONT></P></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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