What are key issues that are of concern to Bill? What are his positions and feelings about these issues?
Idaho is faced with many important and complex issues that rarely have simple black or white answers. Their solution requires legislators who are tuned into their communities and who possess the skills, experience and judgment needed to reach resolutions both workable and fair to all concerned.
2008 SESSION PREVIEW
REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSIT - The Local Option Transit bill will be back this session, most likely with a twist. Based on converstions with other legislators, including House leadership, a hybrid version which would include local road building projects as well as public transit projects is being considered. It would require projects to be coordinated through a Regional Transit Authority, as did last year's failed bill. Voters would be given the final authority at the polls, and by a 2/3 super-majority, to approve specific projects for either road construction or public transit, or a combination of the two. The local sales tax, if approved, would be at a specified level and for a specified period, unless reapproved by a subsequent vote. The hope is that this blended approach, by addressing a broader array of needs, will garner the votes needed in the Revenue and Tax Committee, and ultimately, the House and Senate as a whole.
FOOD TAX - Major issues in the upcoming session will include a revisit of the failed effort to increase the food credit or an outright elimination of the sales tax on food.; I favor the latter approach.
BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX - The majority party will make another push at repeal of the business personal property tax. While clearly appealing to all business owners, large and small, the price tag - approximating $120 million annually- is not realistic in the present softening economic climate - the money will have to be made up to local units of government from somewhere and, based on past tax repeals, that most likely means on the backs of residential property tax payers. That is unacceptable. A more realistic approach was the amendment I propsed last session, namely, limiting the repeal to the first $50,000 of taxable assets. This would provide complete relief to over 80% of the businesses at a cost of about $12 million annually, an amount readily absorbed without triggering a tax shift.
CONSUMER PROTECTION - Senator Werk, myself and a number of other Democrats will be offering bills designed to provide protection to homeowners embroiled in foreclosure proceedings. The bill will mandate disclosure of the risks from those preying on homeowners involved in foreclosure. As part of the formal process, it will highlight schemes being used, as well as identify legitimate sources of assistance. Credit freeze legislation, championed by Senator Werk and others in the past, will also be offered once more. The ability to quickly cut off the extension of additional credit once one's identity has been stolen or compromised is essential.
NATIONAL GUARD - A bill implementing a request from Idaho's National Guard Enlistedmen's Association will be proposed by legislative sponsors from both sides of the aisle. It provides that members of Idaho guard units, both officers and enlisted personnel, who are non-residents of Idaho will be eligible for attending Idaho institutions of higher education at resident tuition rates. Currently about 217 non-residents out of about 4650 total members fall iinto this category. The vast majority (199) are residents of Utah, Oregon, and Washington. These sister states already provide a like benefit to Idaho residents enrolled as members of their respective guard units. It is a small thank you to them for their service to Idaho, but a significant benefit to those among them attending our schools.
POLICIES FOR REAL FAMILY VALUES
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Strong and healthy communities encourage strong and healthy families. Good local schools, parks and streets require local government with the ability to fund and tailor programs matched to the needs of their communities.
Legislation at the state level should be flexible enough to assist local government in meeting its obligations to its people in a timely and efficient manner. State government should operate to benefit, not burden, its citizens.
FAIR TAXATION
The average Idaho family has been sent to the end of the line. Special interests with political clout enjoy special treatment. My job is to bring change to the process to ensure a voice for all, to ensure fair treatment for each citizen not just the haves.
A thorough review of all elements of our tax structure is overdue. A more realistic grocery tax credit, inclusion of services within the sales tax, and an ongoing periodic review of all exemptions, both property and sales tax, would promote a more even-handed tax structure for all Idahoans.
STRONG ECONOMY
In our consumer driven economy it is not only unfair, but poor business policy, to maintain a minimum wage below a livable wage. Improvements in education, such as focused community colleges, and better pay will attract and retain more highly skilled workers, which in turn attract better emloyers. A highly motivated work force will run circles around competitors who offer only the minimum - good legislation should stimulate this economic model.
QUALITY EDUCATION
Both as a region, a state and a nation we cannot ignore the importance of a well educated citizenery. The investment we make as a society in education, at all levels, is essentially our research and development expenditure for the future.
The potential payback is enormous. A well directed investment program can result in reduced remedial spending and reductions in drop-out rates, incarceration rates, and welfare dependency. Well educated citizens provide not only more productive workers, but equally important, more involved and committed participants in the democratic process.
