<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>Courtesy of today's (March 27, 2017) Lewiston Tribune with a note of thanks to former state representative Shirley Ringo.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">--------------------------------</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><div id="AppleMailSignature"><b>Foreman is clueless</b></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">State Sen. Dan Foreman continues to show he is clueless about issues important to people of the district he represents. Over the years, legislators have been stingy with money for higher education. Student tuition costs have gone up, driving up student debt for many.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">This year, the budget committee increased the higher education budget by $7.5 million - a 2.7 percent increase over the current year. The Senate passed the budget by a vote of 34-1. You guessed it -the sole negative vote came from our own Dan Foreman.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Foreman explained, "the problem with the process is that there's precious little useful information available to senators who aren't on the joint budget committee."</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Pssst. Dan, you could actually talk with one of those senators if you have specific questions. Or there are hired budget analysts who help put the budgets together. You could ask one of them.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Instead, Foreman sought information from Wayne Hoffman and his ultra-conservative Idaho Freedom Foundation. This group actually issues a "Pork Report" on what they consider wasted money in state government.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I would not suggest seeking information from Hoffman unless you already know the answer you want.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Foreman explained that "I really wish I could have voted for it but there was just too much pork. People don't send me down here to rubber-stamp bills."</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">You're right about that, Dan, but we would appreciate your giving the matter a little more thought.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Shirley Ringo, Moscow</div></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">--------------------------------</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Ahh, the memories . . .</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><a href="http://www.TomandRodna.com/Soundbites/Shirley_Ringo.mp3">http://www.TomandRodna.com/Soundbites/Shirley_Ringo.mp3</a><br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div> </div></div></div></body></html>