[Vision2020] Legislative Newsletter I January 14, 2012

[Rep. Tom Trail]

LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER----JANUARY
9-13/2012
Constituents:

 The Idaho Legislature opened on
Monday, January 9 with the Governor’s State of the State Speech
which outlined his priorities for education, job growth, increasing
reserve accounts which were used for vital programs during the economic
downturn, employee compensation and tax relief.   The FY2012 General Fund
revenue estimate of $2,552,710,000 reflects a 4.43%  increase in revenue from FY
2011.   The FY2013 General
Fund revenue estimate of $2,700,260,000 reflects a 5.78 percent growth in
revenue.     The
Governor’s budget proposes:
* $45 million in ongoing tax
relief
* Transferring $25,980,000 to the Budget
Stabilization Fund
* Transferring $29,980,000 to the Public
School Stabilization Fund
* Transferring $4,980,000 to the Higher
Education Stabilization Fund
* Limited growth in size of State
government

 The Governor recommended several
changes in salaries and benefits:
* For market related changes necessary to
address system wide structure adjustments he recommended no changes to the
salary ranges.
* For a merit increase component to
recognize and reward state employees by setting aside $41,107,100 from the
General Fund and $17,143,500 from other fund sources.

 The Governor did place a high
priority on education.  The
higher education recommendations are promising.  The Governor wants the state to
partner with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, CAES and the three
research schools, INL, and the Department of Commerce to create new
businesses and jobs for Idaho. 
There have similar successful efforts in Virginia and Utah with a
modest funding recommendation in comparison.  It is a start which can have an
excellent payoff.   He
also wants to fund student growth in the schools as well pick up some of
the occupancy costs of new buildings.   He wants to take $60 million
dollars to build up the Public Education Stabilization Fund, the Budget
Stabilization Fund the Higher Education Stabilization Fund.  This seems essential at this point
in the recovery.   
Tax revenues from December were about $20 million over projection
which is an encouraging sign.

 The University of Idaho received a
shot in the arm when the Idaho Wheat Commission and Lima grain Cereal
Seeds announced a multi-million dollar endowment that will enhance new
agriculture research and extension efforts across the state.    Initial funding will be
in the $2 million range with the Idaho Wheat Commission’s gift to
create two $1 million endowed professorships.  These partnerships, according to
President Nellus, demonstrate the power of public-private collaboration
and the value that a land grant institution like the UI brings to the
state’s economy.

 That’s all for now.    We need plenty of
prayers for snow to help out farmers, skiers, and the folks that run the
dams for hydropower.
 
Please contact me via e mail at
ttrail at house.idaho.gov.     My floor phone #
is 208-332-1260 and my office # 
208-332-1184.
Rep. Tom Trail
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