Chambers of Commerce Give Gift to Legislators
12-13-07 By RICK THOMAS, Staff writer
A military MRE (meal, ready-to-eat), a can of Crisco, a Taser (water pistol) and a pinetree air freshener aren't usually the first things state legislators pack when they head to Boise for their annual session.
But when the 2008 session begins on Jan. 7, they'll be working in some crowded conditions as the state Capitol building undergoes renovations. Those unusual items were included in a "survival kit" presented in jest to the lawmakers by the public policy representatives from the chambers of commerce of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum at the annual Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce legislative sendoff lunch on Thursday at the Coeur d'Alene Inn.
Food for emergencies, Crisco to get them out of a tight spot, the mock Taser to silence long-winded representatives and an air freshener for its obvious purpose were suggested in a humorous vein, but the issues facing the state were taken seriously.
Transportation, taxes, education, water rights, health care and economic development were the top issues of the chambers, and the legislators were generally in agreement.
"Infrastructure is incredibly important to us," said Darin Hayes, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene chamber's public policy committee.
How to fund needed improvements in highways is the unanswered question. Increased fuel taxes or registration fees are among the possibilities under consideration.
"There will be some changes," said Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d'Alene, though she reminded the roughly 120 who attended the lunch that the Legislature will have to pass laws Gov. Butch Otter won't veto.
Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, said he doesn't believe Otter will favor a fuel tax increase.
Eliminating the personal property tax is an also an idea favored by business, which pays taxes on equipment and other non-real estate property, and Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene said he plans to support the elimination of taxes on the first $50,000 of personal property.
Education, particularly professional-technical training, is high on the priority list for business, and the lawmakers are in virtual lock-step with them on the issue.
"For two years (Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene) and I have championed it, and we have been joined by (Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls)," Henderson said. The leadership has not given it a priority."
Henderson did have one other issue -- with the survival kit offered. One issue not addressed as the Legislature prepares for a session they hope will end before April 1 is the lack of bathrooms in their temporary meeting chambers.
"I was hoping for ... Depends," he said. |
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