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Dear Friends,
The Idaho Legislature is in session and Senator Grow, now with a year of experience behind him, is effectively working in several important areas. The issues of this session are many, varied, and significant to Idahoans. Scott is heavily involved in a multitude of activities. He takes very seriously his responsibility and the trust the citizens of District 14 have placed in him.
Scott was one of six senators across Idaho appointed to serve as a member of the legislative property tax working group. They met during the last couple of months where they heard citizens express their concerns regarding the continuing escalation of their property taxes. The committee also received reports from various business and government organizations.
Scott was also appointed to serve on the Economic Outlook Committee. The charge of this committee is to project the revenues for the State of Idaho for the next 18 months. This committee gives recommendations to the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) who will adopt the final revenue projections which will be the basis for determining the budget.
Scott’s responsibilities and committee assignments for this session include those mentioned below. All of these meetings are open to the public. You are welcome to attend any of these meetings to observe Scott’s participation and learn firsthand how Idaho government operates.
- The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee meets every weekday at 8:00 am. During the next few weeks they will be:
- Receiving reports from more than 100 state departments and agencies regarding their goals and objectives.
- Reviewing performance measures for each state department, i.e., how 2019 budget allocations were spent and whether goals and objectives were met.
- Receiving their recommendations for budgets for the fiscal year which ends on June 30, 2021.
- The Senate as a body meets in the Senate chambers each day at approximately 11 am (the times vary depending on other activities in progress).
- The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 3:00 pm. Senator Grow is vice-chairman of this committee. He is acting chair of the committee over the next couple of weeks as they are reviewing some 500 pages of administrative rules to assure that they conform with the laws passed by the legislature.
- The Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:30 pm. This committee deals with issues concerning criminal and civil law, law enforcement officers, the court system, penitentiaries and jails. Many of the state’s critical and urgent needs are in this area, including our overcrowded jails and penitentiary.
As a member of the joint session of the Senate and House, Senator Grow listened to Governor Little’s State of the State message. He was encouraged to hear the Governor’s message regarding a more conservative state budget as well as other objectives that will be good for Idaho. At the same time, he understands that critical assessment of what the governor says is an essential part of his job to maintain the balance of powers among the three branches of government.
Senator Grow, along with several other legislators, is looking at options for reducing property taxes. Many ideas have come forward. His accounting background and sincere concern for the taxpayers of this state serve him well as he evaluates the proposed options, and adds ideas of his own
Finally, many interests vie for his time. He meets daily with representatives of business, professional groups, education, and other citizens to be informed of issues, concerns, and background allowing him to make the best choices possible as he votes on varying issues in the senate, and determines which issues he might want that body to consider.
C. Scott Grow
sgrow@senate.idaho.gov
Statehouse (208) 332-1334 (Session Only)
Committees:
Local Government & Taxation – Vice Chair
Finance
Judiciary & Rules
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The Second Regular Session of the 65th Idaho Legislature convened last week in Boise. Legislators from all over the state gathered at the Capitol to begin the people’s work of balancing the state’s budget and considering proposals for new regulations and law. Representatives from Idaho’s Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches joined together in the Idaho House of Representative chambers to hear Governor Little deliver his annual State of the State address.
During his speech, Governor Little emphasized a push for more investments in literacy, teachers, and Idaho’s public education system. Other highlights included a continued effort to reduce unnecessary government regulation, grocery tax relief for Idaho families, conservative budgets, promoting a strong economy, wise investments in public safety and corrections, and providing health care in the state that is more accessible and affordable for all Idahoans.
A number of inaugural events were held as part of the transition in the executive branch. Governor Little’s State of the State address is available for you to read on the Governor’s webpage at www.gov.idaho.gov.
Idaho has a rich heritage in farming and our farms continue to produce a wide variety of crops that fuel Idaho’s economy. As the 5th largest agricultural economy in the United States, based on farm GDP as a percent of the state’s total GDP, Idaho's farm-produced GDP growth rate percentage has outpaced Idaho’s own GDP growth rate percentage, which shows that agriculture continues to be an important driver in Idaho’s economic health. Idaho’s cash receipts in 2019 topped $8.3 billion were predominately from milk, cattle, potatoes, hay, grain, barley, and sugar. Idaho’s agriculture cash receipts continue to outpace U.S. averages and Idaho farm incomes reached a record high last year. Idaho exports around $848 million of agricultural products each year.
In preparation for the 2020 Legislative Session, the Idaho Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee, consisting of Idaho House and Senate members, met to study Idaho’s economy and the projections for Idaho’s future. Today, the United States is in its longest economic expansion ever and has the lowest unemployment rate in fifty years. With an unemployment rate of 2.9%, the total number of Idahoans employed in the state is at an all time high--this is lower than the national average and below what most economists claim is a “fully employed” population. Idaho’s employers are creating new jobs about two times faster than the national average.
 In October 2018, a fully renovated Idaho State Museum opened to the public after almost ten years of work by the Idaho State Historical Society and others. Located in Boise, this world-class museum provides more space for exhibitions of Idaho history in a fun, interactive experience for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. Also featured in the museum is how Idaho’s unique landscapes, peoples, and cultures have shaped Idaho today.
This week, Idaho Legislators had the privilege of receiving personal copies of the newly released companion book, Idaho: The Land & Its People by Keith C. Petersen. This new publication features Idaho’s amazing history and explores stories of Idaho’s three geographic regions, including Idaho’s northern lakes and forests, Idaho’s centrally located mountains and rivers, and its deserts and canyons in the southern region.
A special thanks goes out to the Idaho State Historical Society for their work in helping Idahoans and visitors alike to better preserve and understand Idaho’s rich and unique past.
Click here for more information about the Idaho State Museum.
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