[Vision2020] [CORRECTED] Legislative Newsletter IV- January 31-February 4, 2012

[Tom Hansen]

Another unintended digression caused by this redistricting . . .

Somehow "The Lady From Five" lacks the zing of Shirley Ringo's previous moniker.  In our hearts she will always be . . . 

"The Lady From Six"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/transfer/Lady_from_Six.mp3


And you, Rep. Trail, will forever be . . . T-Man.



Seeya later, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Post Falls, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown

On Feb 5, 2012, at 11:33 AM, "Rep. Tom Trail" <ttrail at moscow.com> wrote:

> LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER IV—JANUARY 31-FEBUARY 4/2012
> 
> Constituents:
> 
> One of the highlights of the week was a visit by 34 students and 14 parents and teachers from the Palouse Prairie Charter School in Moscow.  Rep. Ringo and I gave the group a tour of the Capitol.  The fourth grade class with their teacher, Bethany Gallo, was very impressive.  They have been studying the issue of bullying in the schools for the past four months.  Both Rep. Ringo and I were questioned by the students about the issue, and they presented both their positive and negative positions much like in a debate.    The group had contracted with Subway Sandwiches for lunch and so I reserved the Republican Caucus Room for them.  We continued to discuss the issue about bullying until almost 1:00 pm.  Rep. Peter Nielsen and I are planning on introducing a resolution which would designate the third week in September as Bully Awareness Week.  This will give school districts an opportunity early in the school year to work out various activities to highlight the problems of bullying and constructive ways in dealing with the problem.
> 
> Education—The State Department of Education presented a budget for the public schools that is more generous than the one proposed by the Governor and it is one that I support.  It represents a 5 percent increase in state funding for teacher compensation, fully funds technology, and provides the means for all high school juniors to take a college entrance examination and allow juniors and seniors to earn college credits while still in high school.  It has been shown that high school students who take these “dual credit” courses are more likely to attend and complete college.
> 
> Redistricting—It appears that the redistricting process is finally over, and that there will be no more appeals.  The Third Redistricting Committee met for two days and came up with the final plan.   Our District will be District 5 which will combine Latah and Benewah counties into the district.  A bill was introduced into State Affairs calling for moving the May Primary Date to August.  I oppose this proposal because August is a month of vacations and farming activities.  The May 15th primary date is a better date.  Historically primary turnouts are very low and with the closed primary this year the turnout will probably be even less.
> 
> Transportation—As I have pointed for two years the Idaho Taxpayer has been subsidizing the Megaloads.   The Department of Transportation admitted that they lost over $650,000 last year by not charging enough for the megaload permit.    This has now been corrected through the rule making process allowing ITD to increase the permit charge for overloads.    ITD cannot reclaim legal charges that are involved in the permitting process.    I have a bill that would help ITD reclaim legal fees; however, it is a complex issue and ITD and I will be researching how other state transportation departments handle the situation and hopefully be able to bring forward legislation for the coming year.  It does appear that the since Exxon has only 14 megaloads in Lewiston and the inquiries from other companies has fallen off that the battle of the megaloads on Idaho’s highways may be almost over.
> 
> Taxes—Idaho’s tax climate improved one spot in the Tax Foundation’s annual ranking of states.  Idaho moved from 22 to 21 in 2012, placing it in the middle of states nationwide.  But regionally Idaho would have to make major changes to catch up with its neighbors.  Wyoming is ranked 1st, Nevada 3rd, Washington 7th, Montana 8th, Utah 10th, and Oregon 13th.   Idaho lawmakers are considering the Governor’s call for a tax cut that would help Idaho’s business climate.    No concrete proposals have yet emerged in bill form.   There appears to be a major move to introduce legislation that would approve of Idaho’s participating in a National Compact that could lead to the permitting of taxing on line sales.    This is an excellent idea that I support.   It is evident that by not taxing on line sales that this hurts our main street businesses.  Several states have called for online companies to voluntarily pay the sales tax, and in one case a state collected almost $20 million.  Sen. Steve Vick is pushing for a constitutional amendment  to require fee or tax hikes passed by the Legislature to garner two thirds support.
> 
> Agriculture and the Economy—Dr. Garth Taylor of the University of Idaho College of Agriculture presented a report on agriculture and the economy in Idaho.   Farm gate sales set an all time record last year for a total of over $7.2 billion with a record net income to farmers of $2 billion.   Among the Western states Idaho ranks as the third most important agricultural state coming in behind California and Washington.
> 
> Idaho’s agriculture as been strong and stable during the last four years of recession.
> 
> The next several weeks will see a flurry of bills introduced.    In the meantime one needs to keep up a sense of humor in the political arena.   Presidential candidate Ron Paul has accidently benefitted from a new political fund raising scheme out of Nevada.  In the Nevada caucus of over 500 ladies of the night, Paul was selected as the overwhelming choice.    A newspaper in Carson City headlined the event with the headline, “Carson City Ladies Solicit Customers to Support Congressman Paul and also give their tips to His Campaign.”  Together with the SuperPacs this simply gives us another new novel approach to campaign financing.
> 
> Please send me your comments and ideas. 
> 
>  My e mail is ttrail at house.idaho.gov                        or      thomasftrail at gmail.com
> 
> Rep. Tom Trail
> 
> =======================================================
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