Give Me a Call

by Senator Brent Hill

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Three weeks ago our sons gathered from Georgia, Vermont and Rexburg to join Julie and me in Boise during the legislative session. Since I was not able to spend much time with them while they were there, they decided to observe their father at work in the state capitol.

They sat through committee meetings, listening to state agencies plead for funding that wasn't possible. They heard arguments for raising taxes to save schools and for lowering taxes to stimulate jobs. With each legislative vote, they saw smiles of victory and tears of defeat, knowing that tears and smiles would have resulted from any decision.

Our sons returned home with a better understanding of the fact every issue has two, three or more sides. And, although the choice may appear obviously right to some, it appears just as obviously wrong to others.

No legislative session has presented more difficult and conflicting challenges than 2010. The failing economy has generated unprecedented demands on government services such as college educations, welfare programs and unemployment benefits. At the same time it has left the state with fewer resources and dwindling revenues.

Some decisions we face are between bad and worse. Every vote affects our freedoms, our lives, our businesses and jobs. And the choices we as legislators make are sometimes difficult to understand—particularly if your only source of information is a blurb in the newspaper or a passing comment at work.

That is why I invite you to ask whenever you don't understand or don't agree with a position I have taken. You have the right to know why I vote the way I do whichever side of the issue you are on. Misunderstanding can sometimes fester into mistrust. Such tragedy can be avoided.

Whether you are offering advice or asking questions, I welcome you to contact me or call me direct at the capitol. I look forward to visiting with you.