The 2005 Legislative Session
by Senator Brent Hill
Water and money dominated the agenda of the 2005 session of the Idaho State Legislature, but attention was also directed toward tax reductions, highway bonding, business incentives, contractor licensing, renewable energy and a constitutional amendment to define marriage.
Water Woes
An unprecedented drought
intensified water problems across the state. The Nez Perce Agreement that
has been negotiated over the past several years was adopted by the Legislature
providing substantial protection to water users in Eastern Idaho. The Legislature
also had to intervene in disputes between surface and ground water users.
Through a complex process, the state will purchase water rights from willing
sellers, then recover the cost through federal leases. The state will also
establish a revolving loan fund to assist water users who would otherwise
not have enough water for their needs.
The State Budget
As a member of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), I insisted
on fiscal restraint, providing Idaho’s citizens with good government at the
lowest cost possible. This ensured the sunset of the 1% sales tax increase
in June of this year.
I am very concerned with the rapid growth of Medicaid expenditures that continue to consume state resources that could otherwise be allocated to public education, commerce, public health and other critical services that are suffering as Medicaid continues to expand. (See Medicaid:Out of Control for a complete discussion of this problem.) I led a move in JFAC this year requiring the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Welfare to initiate meaningful Medicaid reform within the next few months. This challenge got their attention and forced them to make such reform a high priority.
Business Incentives
Governor Kempthorne promoted his Idaho Corporate Headquarters Incentive Act providing a number of business incentives for very large businesses locating in Idaho. By creating 500 new high-paying jobs with benefits and investing at least $50 million in new facilities in Idaho, corporations could benefit from a number of income, property and sales tax breaks.
That is great for the Boise Valley, but Southeastern Idaho would benefit far more from business incentives for smaller companies. Consequently, I sponsored the Idaho Small Employer Incentive Act to provide similar benefits for smaller businesses that provide ten or more jobs paying at least $40,000 annually plus benefits and invest at least $500,000 in new facilities. This legislation will reward small employers on our side of the state as they continue to grow.
Idaho Clean Indoor Air Act
There was a serious attack against the rules
governing the Idaho Clean Indoor Air Act that prohibits smoking in indoor
public places such as stores, restaurants, office buildings, and other facilities.
After a bitter battle, the rules were kept intact protecting Idaho citizens
from the adverse effects of secondhand tobacco smoke.
Defining Marriage
Once again, the Senate refused to allow the people of Idaho to vote on a constitutional amendment protecting the sanctity of the family by defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. It is very discouraging that a conservative state like Idaho cannot protect the family against the liberal agenda of the gay community. (See Gay Marriage for a complete analysis of this issue.)
GARVEE Bonding
The Legislature insisted on placing spending caps on Governor Kempthorne’s proposal to go into debt to finance $1.6 billion in new highways. The debt will be used to construct new roads throughout the state and will be repaid with future revenues from fuel taxes. By placing caps on the spending, the Legislature assured that sufficient fuel taxes will be available for general maintenance and repairs of our highway system. There are sometimes good reasons for debt when the need for additional infrastructure is critical. Whether this was an appropriate time or not depends on how strongly one feels we need the new highways before we can pay for them.
Contractor Licensing
Just a word about the licensing of those who hold themselves out to the public as building contractors: This bill caused a lot of stir, but will not affect most people. It does not prevent homeowners from working on their own homes or other property. It does not restrict the freedoms of honest people. All it does is give the industry the tools it needs to regulate itself and discipline unscrupulous people soliciting work as qualified contractors.
Senate Ethics Hearings
One of the most difficult assignments I have had in my legislative career was to chair a senate ethics committee to investigate the actions of a fellow senator. The two and one-half weeks of hearings were grueling as we publicly investigated serious allegations. After our committee concluded that Senator Noble had in fact failed to disclose a significant conflict of interest, had mislead the Senate State Affairs Committee and had lied to the Ethics Committee under oath, the senator resigned from the Senate. I am pleased with the way the process worked. It protected the interests of Idaho’s citizens, upheld the integrity and good name of the Senate as well as honored the rights and due process of Senator Noble.
Thank
you for allowing me to serve you in the State Senate. We are greatly blessed
to live in Idaho where we enjoy the beauties of this state and the benefits
of a free society.