[Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter VII February 20-24, 2012

[Donovan Arnold]

Nobody in the United States has health insurance really because nobody can be insured enough to protect against outrageous health costs. Entire life savings can be gone in a flash. Most Americans also cannot afford to take on their insurance company if they refuse to pay because a "t" wasn't crossed straight enough or an "i" wasn't dotted correctly. 
 
Just think how many billions of dollars are not being spent in the economy because people are afraid of losing everything if they get into an accident or have an illness and just keep all their money in savings.
 
Donovan Arnold

From: Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "thomasftrail at gmail.com" <thomasftrail at gmail.com> 
Cc: "vision2020 at moscow.com" <vision2020 at moscow.com> 
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter VII February 20-24, 2012


Rep. Trail informs us . . .

"In California 10 percent are uninsured, compared to 17 percent in Idaho."

ONE IN SIX IDAHOANS IS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE ! ! !

Am I the only one that finds that statistic to be absolutely deplorable?


Seeya later, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Post Falls, Idaho

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

- Unknown



On Feb 26, 2012, at 18:50, "Rep. Tom Trail" <ttrail at moscow.com> wrote:


 LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER –FEBRUARY 20-24, 2012
>Constituents:
>       The Homestretch:  We are headed down the homestretch with March 25th as a possible target date for Sine Die.  JFAC started passing supplemental budgets.  These are mostly bills which allow spending authority for federal grants, and 2013 budgets for dedicated fund agencies.  Last Friday the budget committee approved a 2% salary increase for all state employees.   Yesterday afternoon in the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee we approved on a 8-1 vote legislation approving a 2% across the board increase for state employees.
>       Stream lined sales tax bill:  the first step toward a sales tax on internet sales was introduced as House bill 581.  The bill will have a hearing in Rev and Tax this coming Wednesday.
>       Animal Cruelty Legislation:  SB1303 passed on a 31-1 margin.   This would establish an animal torture charge—punishable as a felony on the third charge.  The felony would apply only to the third animal cruelty conviction within 15 years.    The fines are fairly minimal.   Many Idaho citizens are pursuing an initiative that would have some teeth.  The initiative would establish an animal torture initiative charge—punishable as a felony on the first offense.  The initiative also would ratchet up the fines for animal cruelty; a third conviction would also carry a prison sentence of six months or more.  Since this language would apply only to repeat offenders, it’s hard to see how this initiative would swell the ranks of the state’s prison population.  The Senate bill will come up in House Ag Affairs next week and there will be a trailer bill which may define the term torture and have increased penalties.   My hope is
 that we can get these measures passed this session.   I’ve been working on these issues for over 10 years and it would be nice to finally see some good legislation protecting our animals.
>      University of Idaho—Flagship Designation:  The State Board’s recent decision to remove the word “flagship” from the University of Idaho’s mission statement reflects a choice that should cause concern for all of Idaho’s citizens.   It is a choice of whether to encourage academic excellence or reduce all universities to the lowest common denominator.    As one editor mentioned, “What if the State Board told BSU that it could no longer refer itself as having a top ranked football program?   Why not just refer to the Broncos as just another Idaho public university football team?   The University of Idaho is the top academic institution in the state.   The UI is recognized as a First Tier Research University and BSU is somewhere in the Third Tier.  The UI generates 73 percent of the competitive research dollars in the state and it is the state’s land grand university.  The UI has by far the highest graduation rate and
 retention rate in the state.  Seventeen of the 19 national merit scholars who enrolled in Idaho public institutions this year enrolled at the University of Idaho, and the UI has more national merit scholars than the University of Washington—an institution of more than 40,000 students.  The Board’s action almost appeared to come out of “Thin Air” and was widely criticized even here in the Treasure Valley.   The solution is simple—the State Board should simply recognize the UI as the Academic Flagship and BSU as the Football Flagship.
>      Tax Commission:  I’ve been a firm supporter as evidence at the end of the last session for the 48 permanent and 22 temporary positions that were added to the State Tax Commission for the purpose of gathering uncollected taxes.  The goal was to collect more revenue without raising taxes and collect $7.00 for every dollar spent.   Over the past three years, the State spent $3.7 million and collected $53 million.  That is nearly $50 million that the state would not have collected except for this initiative.  The program was an unqualified success as about $14 dollars were collected for every dollar invested.   This has been a wise investment of taxpayers’ dollars.
>       Occupy Boise:  Members of the 99% movement camping on the grounds of the old Ada County Courthouse will have to move on Monday with the Governor signing the legislation.    The Boise Chief of Police noted that law enforcement had inspected the camping site on a regular basis and found it neat and clear with no major problems.   He also reported that the camp leaders told him in late December that they were getting ready to pack up and leave.   Then the Idaho Legislature came into town and spent several weeks crafting legislation to “Run the Bums” out.  This was time that we could have well spent in working on other higher priority issues.
>       Some California and Idaho Comparisons:  Some facts to remember in comparing California and Idaho statistics: 
>·         Food stamps:  Nearly 14.5 percent of Idaho’s citizens are drawing foodstamps.  At one point Idaho had the fastest growth in the food stamp caseloads in the U.S.  Only 9.7 percent of California’s population qualifies for that help.  
>·         Economy—Idaho’s still anemic 8.3 percent unemployment rate looks better compared to California’s 11.1 percent rate.  But if you have a job in Idaho, you earn less.    Idaho’s per capita income is ranked 45th and California is ranked 10th.  
>·         Public schools—Idaho spends less per student than every state but one.  By comparison, California’s ranking at 34th looks good.  
>·         Higher education—California, 29.9 percent of the work force has at least a four year degree.  Only 14 states do better.  In Idaho, it’s 24 percent.  Only 10 states do worse.  
>·         Health care—Both states do a poor job of insuring people for health care.  In California 10 percent are uninsured, compared to 17 percent in Idaho. 
>·         Mental Health—Idaho now has the fourth highest suicide rate in the nation.  California is ranked 42nd.   Unfortunately, both the Governor and the legislature disregarded warnings that cutting Medicaid and mental health services would lead to more suicides.
>      We move ahead to Week 8 of the session.   I sent out an earlier announcement that I would not be running for my House Seat again, but instead will run for the Latah County District 1 Commissioner seat.    I feel that 16 years in Boise is enough.   The increasing polarization in terms of political discussion on the issue and the disconnect between what Idaho citizen’s needs are and how the Legislature addresses those needs has become increasingly apparent to me.
>      Please send me your comments, etc.    
>My e mail is ttrail at house.idaho.gov or thomasftrail at gmail.com   
> My phone # is 208-332-1184
>Thanks,
>Rep. Tom Trail
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>List services made available by First Step Internet,
>serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>              http://www.fsr.net
>         mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>=======================================================
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List services made available by First Step Internet,
serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
              http://www.fsr.net
          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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