 |
|---|
| Roy Lacey |
Office Address |
| District 29 |
State Capitol |
| Committees: |
P.O. Box 83720 |
| Finance |
Boise, Idaho 83720-0081 | |
| Transportation |
(208) 332-1406 | |
| Resources & Environment |
rlacey@senate.idaho.gov |
The session hasn't even officially started and there is already so much occurring as there is a push to have our assigned time in Boise as limited as possible due to the primary elections that are scheduled to occur in May.
My main reason for being in Boise early is to listen to all the experts that are presenting to the Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee. This is an annual assignment as this committee recommends what income figure is anticipated so the Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee can balance the budget. The experts come from State government, Universities, tax experts and private business and each predicts what the next year may bring. It is an interesting process as people put their own spin on the economy. I have learned a new word when discussing the economy and that is "tepid". This term was used over and over in the presentations. I think it means that next year will be very close to this year. Overall the projections have all been positive so after two days of listening to economists we can probably estimate continued growth in the 5-6% range.
The other early committee, which I am not a part of, is the Employee Compensation committee which has met and heard testimony and very soon we will learn of their results. Hopefully we can improve the compensation for our State employees as they are currently being paid below market value. This causes a high rate of turnover and the best tend to leave. Keep our fingers crossed.
The Governor and Leadership have made a few announcements that will affect some of the work we will perform this session. Taken off the table is any consideration of a Pre-K program and also the threatened review of Planned Parenthood which has been pushed by a very few.
A couple of items that will be coming down the pike will be compliance with the Real ID requirements to Idahoans can fly with a State identification (drivers license) and there are already rumblings about some water issues, particularly if we do not get an above normal snowpack this winter.
One of the major announcements yesterday was the Governor outlining a "state-financed" medical program for the people in the "GAP". People who make too much money for Medicaid and not enough to sign up for the insurance exchange. The easy fix would be to expand or redesign Medicaid as permitted under the Affordable Care Act which would mostly be paid by the Federal Government and the hospitals. However, Idaho does not like to do things the easy way. So instead of spending about $3 million in the next few years, the Idaho plan is to use taxpayer money in the tune of $30 million per year to have the "GAP" individuals have access to some treatment by health care facilities such as Health West in Eastern Idaho. However, the $38 or so per person cost will only be for access to these facilities and will not cover things such as major medical, operations, mental health and other serious conditions or even pharmaceuticals. It is simply a small band-aid on a huge wound. The crowning point of this announcement is that it would not be a tax increase, rather a revenue shift. The goal is to take the cigarette tax money the State receives ($33 million) to pay for this, however, this money has already been allocated to the schools, highways, and other entities which lessens the amount of general fund money that is necessary. General fund money is our taxes. This small Band-Aid is simply election year politics at a very large expense. It is a top-down mandate and if all 78,000 people sign up, our medical system will be overloaded and care could not be given. Furthermore, the Counties and State will still be responsible for the major illnesses and surgeries under the indigent programs.
I'm happy to be back and working. Thank each of you for giving me this opportunity to represent you. I take it seriously.
Linda Leeuwrik, co-chair of the Bannock County Democratic Party is pleased to invite the public to help select the next president of the United States.
