All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same whenever they may deem it necessary; and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the legislature.
Constitution of the State of Idaho, Article I Declaration of Rights, Section 2
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you in the Idaho State Senate.
With limited debate, and with bipartisan backing, the Senate voted to fund the FY 2015 $1.37 billion public school budget - a 5.1 percent spending increase from FY 2014, a $66 million increase - the largest general fund expenditure in the state budget. The budget implements recommendations from the 2013 Task Force for Improving Education and includes increases for teacher and administrator pay, operation funding per classroom unit, teacher leadership awards, and more.
Additionally, the Idaho School Boards Association, the Idaho Association of School Administrators, and the Idaho Education Association, the state's teachers' union, all three worked together with a good deal of success and with their legislators.
The legislature addressed criminal justice reform based on work by the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Interim Committee and the Justice Reinvestment Group. The legislature adopted a package of criminal justice measures to reduce Idaho's high incarceration and recidivism rates and to improve public safety and ultimately reduce costs on corrections.
In health and human services, the legislature approved establishment of Behavioral Health Community Crisis Centers; reinstated dental services for adult participants with disabilities or special health needs; instructed the Department of Health and Welfare to investigate the creation of a hospital discharge database and a comprehensive system of healthcare data.
During the next several months, I will be visiting communities in our district, listening to your ideas and concerns, and preparing for the next legislative session. Also, I will be serving on three statewide legislative committees: Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee; Idaho Commission on Indian Affairs; and Commission on Hispance Affairs.
Thank you for all your correspondence, telephone calls, and visits this past session. Your efforts were very much appreciated and tthey helped me to better serve you. Please contact me if you would like to discuss any legislation or other event from the session.
In Service
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you in the Idaho State Senate.
With limited debate, and with bipartisan backing, the Senate voted to fund the FY 2015 $1.37 billion public school budget - a 5.1 percent spending increase from FY 2014, a $66 million increase - the largest general fund expenditure in the state budget. The budget implements recommendations from the 2013 Task Force for Improving Education and includes increases for teacher and administrator pay, operation funding per classroom unit, teacher leadership awards, and more.
Additionally, the Idaho School Boards Association, the Idaho Association of School Administrators, and the Idaho Education Association, the state's teachers' union, all three worked together with a good deal of success and with their legislators.
The legislature addressed criminal justice reform based on work by the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Interim Committee and the Justice Reinvestment Group. The legislature adopted a package of criminal justice measures to reduce Idaho's high incarceration and recidivism rates and to improve public safety and ultimately reduce costs on corrections.
In health and human services, the legislature approved establishment of Behavioral Health Community Crisis Centers; reinstated dental services for adult participants with disabilities or special health needs; instructed the Department of Health and Welfare to investigate the creation of a hospital discharge database and a comprehensive system of healthcare data.
During the next several months, I will be visiting communities in our district, listening to your ideas and concerns, and preparing for the next legislative session. Also, I will be serving on three statewide legislative committees: Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee; Idaho Commission on Indian Affairs; and Commission on Hispance Affairs.
Thank you for all your correspondence, telephone calls, and visits this past session. Your efforts were very much appreciated and tthey helped me to better serve you. Please contact me if you would like to discuss any legislation or other event from the session.
In Service
