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Lawmakers outline plans for 2008 session Posted: Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007 - 09:33:00 am PST By KEITH KINNAIRD News editor
PONDERAY -- Improving benefits for first responders, easing passage at the Canadian border and addressing the uninsured and underinsured in Idaho will be pursued in the 2008 Legislative session, Panhandle lawmakers said on Monday. Senators Joyce Broadsword and Shawn Keough, and Reps. Eric Anderson and George Eskridge were the featured speakers at the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce's Back-to-Session breakfast at the Elks Lodge, an event which drew nearly 80 people despite a winter storm which coated roads with snow.The District 1 and 2 legislators plan on pursuing property tax reforms and the disclosure of real estate sales information, but that's not all they intend to accomplish when they return to the capitol on Jan. 7. Here's what lawmakers are also planning to tackle:
Broadsword, a Republican from Cocolalla who represents District 2, said she will continue to pursue a bill which seeks to bridle the counterfeiting of prescription medications and another bill which would create incentives for the use of woody biomass fuels. She also expects pending Panhandle Health District legislation aimed at tightening septic rules to be considered next session. However, Broadsword wants to make sure such rules are applied evenly and fairly. "If standards need to be raised, they need to be raised statewide," said Broadsword. Shawn Keough Keough said she will co-sponsor disclosure legislation again and press for a $5 million appropriation statewide for community health centers. She added a comprehensive study of health care in Idaho is completed and will serve as a cornerstone for improving options for the uninsured and underinsured. "That will provide a foundation for us to identify an Idaho solution," said Keough, a Sandpoint Republican who represents District 1. Keough expressed doubt that scaling back the majority threshold for school bond elections would pass muster with lawmakers, but said efforts to boost facility funding will continue. Eric Anderson Anderson, a District 1 representative from Priest Lake, said he would continue his work in trying to repeal Idaho's personal property tax rule and pursue a suite of legislation to improve benefits for volunteer first responders in rural Idaho. One bill would establish a death benefit, while others would address workman's compensation and a retirement benefit for emergency service volunteers. "Our rural community can't survive without that volunteer base," he said. Anderson also plans to push for renewable resource projects on state endowment lands. George Eskridge When not calling for a cap on real estate valuations, Eskridge anticipates working on improving schools funding and making it less burdensome for Idahoans to cross the international border. Federal Homeland Security will soon require passports to get through the border, but Eskridge is pursuing an enhanced driver's license. Idaho motorists could voluntarily elect to have the information border officials need at a crossing included in their license. "It takes the place of a passport," said Eskridge, a Republican from Dover. POST YOUR OPINION
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Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534
Bonner County Daily Bee Online is updated at 10am PST.