Dear
Friends,
Another
legislative session is ending and 2014 may be one of the shortest in
history. We have been dealing with much
posturing this year as legislators get ready for the election process. Roy, Elaine and Carolyn thank each of you
for affording us your trust as we have represented Pocatello in the
Legislature. This honor is accepted
with humility and a burning desire to do the right thing at all times and we
sure work to make that happen. We
appreciate the information we receive at the Town Hall meetings, letters,
e-mails and phone calls that we continually receive during the session as this
helps us with our decisions on important items.
Overall, we have had a pleasant and positive experience during this
session and much has been accomplished to reach the goals we have set for our
district.
With
initial success in the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee (JFAC), the
Democrat – led charge for K-12 funding is providing the best school budget
since 2007 and we are approaching the amounts allotted in 2008. While the school funding is not enough when
considering the increased number of students and costs to operate, this was the
first year in many when the mood was to enhance this budget. Emphasis this year was on increasing the
Operation Funds for the schools as well as adding to teacher salaries and
continuing to provide for enhanced technology.
While the Governor made noise about education being a top priority, he
did not recommend adequate funding, but the JFAC committee and the general body
of the legislature felt a responsibility to do better, and this has been
accomplished with an overall budget of $1.7 million for our children.
Higher
education was another bright spot as the total funding increased by 7% and
while probably not enough, the progress is in the right direction. ISU was successful in being included in the
Permanent Building Fund to proceed with the Bio-Tech Lab in Meridian.
Much
has been in the news regarding the State assuming responsibility for the
private run prison and while it will be expensive the first year, this is the
right move as Idaho can do better.
Along with this change comes the Justice Reinvestment which has the
potential of reducing prison costs substantially in the coming years. This legislation is another step in the
right direction to get these costs under control and provide our citizens with
the protection and safety that is necessary.
Job
creation has been at the top of our list for quite some time, beginning back in
2011. After attempting to get
legislation for an agriculture value added program, last summer we worked with
the Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office to craft a revised version
and this has been successful and Idaho will now be more competitive in
attracting business to our communities.
This legislation will work well for Pocatello in filling the Heinz Plant
and other spots that have been vacated.
Many
important items were not discussed as they were considered inappropriate for
the Republican ticket or platform; such as, Medicaid redesign (which would
bring Idaho $90 million per year), education task force recommendations (most
of which are on hold), “Add the Words,” meaningful tax relief to the middle
class and the condition of our roads and bridges.
While
we began the session with high hopes of being a part of making Idaho better,
the Governor’s statement that the most important item in this legislative
session was getting him re-elected has slowed that process considerably. This session was a lesson in how legislation
dealing with seemingly fringe issues can swiftly dominate the mood. So-called religious freedom (ok to discriminate)
bills, guns on campus, wolves and others have stolen the spotlight. Right wing public policy experiments written
by special interest groups have been dominating the discussions. Next year will be another opportunity to
discuss the important issues such as education, Medicaid redesign and even
possibly the minimum wage increase. We
will live to battle another day.
Thank
each of you for allowing us to be your representatives.
Roy
Lacey
Elaine Smith
Carolyn Meline
Elaine Smith
Carolyn Meline
