by Senator Brent Hill

It was a wonderful experience to represent you in the Idaho Legislature this year. It was a unique year with extraordinary challenges. It wasn’t long after I arrived in Boise that the real effects of Idaho’s worsening economy hit home. Revenues for December and January fell $36.3 million below projections. This bad news came on the heels of budget hold backs ordered by Governor Dirk Kempthorne. Our budget woes were the top issue we dealt with this year, but others received a lot of attention as well.

Over 650 bills and resolutions came before the legislature this session. Some were killed in legislative committees, others died after heated debate on the floor, but many eventually made their way to the governor.

Public Education - I sought and was granted appointment to the Senate Education Committee. After all, the bulk of our state funding goes to education. Although I advocated the committee’s recommendation to increase funding for public schools, worsening economic reports forced the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee to reduce our recommendation. Few people realize the sacrifices made by other state agencies in order to protect public school funding this year. Unlike the federal government, states cannot spend more than they take in. The national recession hit Idaho as well, forcing Governor Kempthorne to trim 3 percent from the 2002 spending plan approved last year, 2.5 percent from public education. But let there be no misunderstanding, even after hold backs, school children received a 4.2 percent increase in state aid during the current budget year. And for 2003, spending for public education will rise about 1.6 percent. All state agencies are being asked to do more with less money. I, for one, appreciate the dedication of our teachers even during these economically hard times.

Promoting Moral Development - I carried a resolution on the Senate floor that promoted objective moral standards through sex education in our schools. The resolution instructs educators to teach the social, emotional and health consequences of teenage sexual activity and the importance of responsible behavior, including abstinence.

Wolf Management Plan - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released wolves back into the Idaho wilderness in 1995. Since that time, wolf populations have increased from 15 to more than 260. The predators are a menace to our elk, deer and livestock, and it probably won’t be long before there is a human tragedy. The state is now preparing for wolves to come off the endangered species list. To facilitate that, we adopted a management plan so the Idaho Fish and Game Department can regulate the species. We want to be sure that Idahoans are not asked to pick up the tab for wolf management. Our plan is conditional upon federal funding.

Fish and Game - About every two years the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is anew in controversy. It came as a surprise to just about everyone here when Director Rod Sando announced his resignation. Sando had a strained relationship with some lawmakers over department policies, but contrary to some media reports, we did not have anything to do with his departure. Fish and Game Commissioner Nancy Hadley made that admission to a legislative panel during her reconfirmation hearing. Although I opposed her reappointment to the commission due to her pro-predator record, Hadley’s confirmation won approval on the Senate floor.

Noah’s Law and Battered Women Protection - The tragic death of a Nampa teenager’s son who was stillborn after she was brutally beaten served as the impetus for two bills that should serve to further protect pregnant women and their unborn children. Senate Bill 1344 makes it a crime to kill or harm a human embryo or fetus. Perpetrators could be prosecuted under Idaho’s manslaughter, murder or aggravated battery statutes. A second bill enhances the penalties for an attack on a pregnant woman by allowing judges to tack on another 15 years of prison time.

Because government intervention into our personal lives generally restricts our freedoms, I believe some of our most significant achievements this year were in what we did NOT do:

• We did not permit all of our city, county and other local officials to be kicked out of office because they had served eight years or more, leaving it up to you to choose at the ballot box.
• We did not increase the fines for not wearing seat belts, nor did we make it a primary infraction, leaving the primary responsibility with you and your family to buckle up.
• We did not allow a bill that authorized cutting teachers’ salaries to get to the floor for a vote.
• We did not reduce the super majority required to pass school bonds from 66 2/3% to 60%.
• We did not cave in to media demands calling for the repeal of last year’s tax relief, which would have prolonged our economic recovery and placed an even greater tax burden on our citizens.
• We did not submit to attempts to expand gambling on Indian reservations to slot machines.
• We did not adequately fund our public schools or universities, but did protect them from further cuts.
• We rejected scores of bills that would have limited our freedom, usurped local control, or generated bad public policy.
• We did not end the recession, achieve world peace, or eradicate terrorism, but we made Idaho an even better place to live, to work and to raise a family.

Thank you for allowing me the great opportunity of serving you as we confront these issues together.