Depth, variety of issues covered was extensive

The session is winding down and we are working toward this next week being the final week. It appears at this point there will be no proposals to increase taxes to build and maintain our roads this year. Although I don't like raising taxes, I'm concerned that without moving forward in some way we are getting further behind on the much-needed road construction and maintenance needs we have in our area.

We have passed Grocery Tax Relief and effective tax year 2008, lower income Idahoans will receive $50 back on their taxes, there will be an increase of $30 for all other Idahoans and an additional $20 for seniors, with credit increases of $10 each year until it reaches $100, eventually offsetting, on average, the state sales tax on food. I would like to remove sales tax on food altogether but this is what we were able to get done politically this year.

The stark change in the economic picture saw our General Fund revenue collections drop significantly below projected estimates as the session was unfolding. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee had to change strategies in mid-stream and adopt a spending plan that adjusted appropriations downward to match a more realistic picture of the revenue situation. The governor's spending plan, which was developed in large part before revenues started to dip, called for a 9.1 percent increase overall, which included both ongoing and one-time expenditures. JFAC ultimately reduced the General Fund budget blueprint to 4.6 percent overall, with an ongoing increase of 3.79 percent. This change in economic conditions had a direct and indirect impact on many issues facing the Legislature, effectively reducing the scope of the agenda that could be addressed in an uncertain fiscal situation.

Even then, the depth and breadth of public policy issues addressed by this Legislature was typically far-reaching, and included local option taxes, statewide aquifer management, transportation funding, teachers' salaries, energy issues, air quality, substance abuse treatment initiatives, election law changes, business property tax relief, the above mentioned grocery tax credit, inmate growth in corrections, community college funding and wolf management, to name a few!

There are a few days left and we always value hearing from the people at home and there are several ways to communicate with us. You can call the toll free number and leave a message for us or e-mail us or write us a letter. Our toll free number is: (800) 626-0471, the general e-mail box is idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov and our mailing information is:

Idaho State Legislature

Capitol Annex

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, Idaho

83720-0038 (House)

83720-0081 (Senate).

My direct e-mail is: skeough@senate.idaho.gov. To follow the introduced legislation, committee and floor action go to www.legislature.idaho.gov and also try Idaho Public Television which is carrying video streaming and live broadcasts of some legislative activity.

€ Shawn Keough is the senator representing District 1.