Monday,
January 30, 2017
The American Cancer Society and the Cancer
Awareness Network recognize that achieving a world free from the pain and
suffering of cancer requires a comprehensive public policy agenda. Their work includes a strong focus on
preventing cancer, seeking new cures and treatments and ensuring all
Americans have access to the medical care that could save their
life. They also support the
determination and courage of cancer patients and survivors by working to
improve their quality of life both during treatment and after it has
ended. Click Here for
more information.
American Cancer Society lights the Capitol steps up with hope.
Tax-cut plan heads to Senate
NATHAN BROWN nbrown@magicvalley.com
February 2, 2017
BOISE — A bill to cut Idaho's income taxes by $51 million passed the
Idaho House Thursday and now heads to the Senate.
"I think it's important to remember that tax cuts are not static,"
said Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, who is sponsoring the bill.
Moyle said the tax cut would help to stimulate the economy by leading to
more consumer spending and also helping to draw residents and businesses who
may be deterred by the fact that Idaho's income tax rates are higher than
neighboring states.
Click
Here for the story.
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DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Artist Gary Stone unveils a new mural Nov. 21st at
the Wellness Tree Community Clinic in Twin Falls.
Bill to exempt free clinics from tax heads to House
floor
By NATHAN BROWN
nbrown@magicvalley.com
BOISE — Free medical clinics such as
the Wellness Tree in Twin Falls may soon be exempt from paying sales taxes.
“Growth in the free clinic services
will help the health and welfare of our uninsured neighbors,” bill sponsor Rep.
Clark Kauffman, R-Filer, told the House Revenue and Taxation Committee
Thursday.
Click
Here for the story.
The end of education week in the hearing
process was an “only in Idaho” moment. As Janet Jessup, formerly from Jerome,
started her presentation, she was surprised to see her seventh grade teacher,
Mrs. Ohlensehlen in our hearing room. Mrs. Ohlensehlen was with a BSU
Leadership Class. It says a lot about the staying power of our fine
teachers through good and bad and the excellent students they produce.
As we
began the Health and Welfare hearings, one of the first harsh facts concerned
those same children I mentioned last week who head for school each
morning. We have over 2500 children in foster care. They have been
removed from situations of neglect or worse.
Many
have been abused. Thank goodness for the good families who accept the
responsibility to care for these children. The budget request was for a
small increase to help foster parents with everything from diapers to school
supplies. The sad fact is that most child neglect comes from drug abuse
and the children are born with addictions.
The
nice event of the week had to do with some of our Jerome students. We met
three of our great young FFA students from Jerome High School. If you did
not know, the state president is our own Gretchen Hansten, who conducted the
luncheon meeting like a pro. Rep.Kuaffman and I ate lunch with Mr. Clifton,
Cody Jackson, and Annabelle Day. It is always an honor to have the FFA
youth in Boise.
While
education and family welfare are the main activities for last week and
this, other lesser but important budget work is going on. The effort to
keep the mussels out of our beautiful lakes, rivers and irrigation systems is
needing more attention. In 2016, the Dept. of Agriculture performed over
90,000 boat inspections. The result was 20 boats with mussels and only
one boat with a live mussel. We cannot afford to have even one live
mussel in our waterways. The state is working on a more active plan for
the coming boating season. Another item to be funded will change the way
our cattle are inspected. At this time, brand inspectors use a pencil and
triple copies. With the opportunity to have a processing plant in Idaho,
we could be checking two million head a day. The plan is to set up a new
system with laptops to provide the brand inspectors the tools to keep our
industry safe and have an opportunity to process cattle in our state.
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Rep. Bell and Rep. Kauffman meet with FFA students from Jerome. |
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This was a busy week with more
bills being introduced and coming to the floor for a vote. So far there have been 104 House bills and 40
Senate bills.
I have been working on
transportation issues, trying to get support for a variety of ideas to increase
funding. Next week a bill will be
introduced to extend the Surplus Eliminator sunset and include local
jurisdictions in the funding.
I had lunch with a room full of
FFA students and that is always a pleasure.
I was able to greet both Filer and Jerome students and advisors.
This week started the “Steps for
Schools” challenge to earn money for schools in district 25. I will do my best to get 10,000 steps a day
for some of the prize.
Met with steps for schools
Gov. Office on education
American cancer network
Idaho coop council/FFA Cenarrusa Day Lunch
Idaho community bankers
NW career colleges
Idaho forestry day
Idaho preferred annual meeting
WWAMI medical education
Attended Idaho Forestry Day
Idaho Coalition of Home Educators
Coeur D’ Alene Tribe
Idaho Historical Society
American Heart Assn/American Stroke Assn.
Representative Kauffman visiting with Coeur d'Alene leaders and dancers.
Senator Patrick visiting with the Coeur d'Alene dancers.
This week Senator Patrick was a panel speaker for the Idaho Bankers organization.
Thus far this Legislative
Session has been wrapping up its review of the administrative rules from the
various state agencies. This is valuable process that allows the
legislature reject rules or portions of the rules that are unduly burdensome or
do not fit with the intent of the code. We have also been reviewing the
governor’s appointments of individuals to the various state boards and
commissions. We have been moving at a consistent pace.
Senator Lee sponsored Senate Bill 1005 (Child Protection Act).
Essentially the purpose was to amend the existing law and to revise definitions.
It ensures human trafficking is included in definition “child abuse and
neglect” and “sexual abuse”. This is required for the state to have an
approved CAPTA plan. It enables Idaho to better protect children. It
passed the Senate floor with a unanimous vote.
Senator Harris sponsored Senate Bill 1009 (Crop Residue Burning). The DEQ
reviewed and approved this change. This Bill increases the ozone
evaluation threshold, which air quality levels cannot be exceeded, from 75 % to
90 % of National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This results in an
increased amount of days in which one is allowed to burn. It is safe for
Idaho’s air quality. It passed with 29 Ayes, 5 Nays.
Health and Welfare reported to Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
They have requested $151,498,200.00 for fiscal year 2018. They were
appropriated 148,110,400.00 for current fiscal year.
The Capitol had the pleasure of being visited by many groups including the
American Cancer Society Action Network, FFA students, Idaho Community Bankers,
and Northwest Career Colleges. On Tuesday, January 31, 2017 we celebrated
Idaho Forestry Day.
On Wednesday the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators sponsored
“Pie Day” at the Capitol. The Coalition
shared homemade pie with legislators and Capitol staff. Students also displayed projects they have
been learning about during the past year.
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Rep. Kauffman visiting with a student from the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators. |
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