Dear Friends,

Education

The Republican leadership seems committed to limiting controversy and having a short session.  However, Speaker Bedke spoke in favor of an $80 million tax cut to businesses by repealing the grocery tax credit for working families.  His reasoning is that it will make Idaho more attractive to new businesses.  In reality, businesses have told us over and over again that a highly skilled workforce and quality schools are what they look for when choosing a site.  Not only are we shifting a tax to the working families of Idaho, we are not honoring our constitutional duty to provide a thorough education for our children and grandchildren.  Speaker Bedke is putting the cart before the horse.  In order to attract businesses with high paying jobs, we have to have highly skilled workers.   We need to invest in education and businesses will come.

Common Core Hearing

The Lincoln Auditorium was packed with citizens looking for more information regarding Idaho Core Standards.  I was impressed with the panelist and the testimony given.  I feel comfortable the Idaho Legislature can address some of the concerns while implementing the more rigorous core standards.

Reminder- There will be a listening (for legislators) session on education Monday, January 27^th, from 3:00-5:00 in the Lincoln Auditorium.  Please join us or send in your testimony.

Healthcare

There is still little interest in exploring or discussing Medicaid redesign.  This is upsetting as we are leaving $60 million dollars on the table and over 100,000 Idahoans uninsured; while the indigent health program is showing a significant increase in cost.  This cost increase could be avoided by participation in Medicaid expansion.  However, dental coverage will be restored for those who are elderly and on Development Disabilities Waivers.  The Department found we are spending more for medical complications due to the lack of dental care than we were spending by providing the coverage.  Mental health crisis centers are being proposed in three Idaho cities.  This pilot program is being modeled after a successful Montana program.  I support this pilot, as it will provide support for mental health patients who are losing control, and hopefully help them avoid hospitalization or jail stay.

Governor’s $15 Million “Water Appropriation”

The Governor’s budget also includes the one-time spending of $15 million to promote water sustainability. His proposed plan breaks down as follows:

1.)    Mountain Home Air Force Base Water Rights – $4 million to secure senior priority Snake River water rights

2.)    Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer – $500,000 to conduct joint studies

3.)    Galloway – $2 million to initiate environmental compliance and land exchange analysis

4.)    Boise River – $1.5 million to complete Arrowrock (Dam) enlargement and flood control feasibility

5.)    Island Park Reservoir Enlargement – $2.5 million to raise spillway 3 feet

6.)    Water Supply Bank – $500,000 for computer infrastructure

7.)    Management Recharge Infrastructure – $4 million to develop managed recharge capacity

As we all know, water is an important commodity for all Idahoans, and I support the proper management and conservation of this precious natural resource.

Please join Representative Phylis King, Representative Ilana Rubel and myself for our District 18 Forums.  We look forward to discussing legislative issues and listening to your concerns.  These town hall meetings will be at 7:00 PM on:

January 28^th at Maple Grove Elementary (2800 S Maple Grove Rd, Boise)
February 18^th at Timberline High School (701 E Boise, Boise)
March 18^th at East Junior High (5600 Warm Springs Ave, Boise)

It is an honor and a privilege to serve District 18 and Idaho.  Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you.  Your comments and concerns are important to me.

Thank you for your confidence and support.

Warmest regards,

Janie Ward-Engelking

Hello Friends,

It is the second week of the 62nd legislative session, and we are in full swing.  As a member of the Commerce and Human Resource Committee, I was part of the joint committee for Change in Employee Compensation (CEC).  The CEC Committee recommended a 2% raise for state employees with 1% being ongoing and the other 1% in the form of bonuses.  Though it wasn’t as much as I would have liked, it is 2% more than the governor proposed.  The good news is the CEC committee made a commitment to meet next year and try to do more for state employees.

Education

Everyone agrees education will take up much of our time this session.  The governor and state superintendent both voice similar support for the recent task force’s recommendations, but are at odds regarding funding proposals.  If there is money available to put $71.7 million in rainy day funds and $30 million for potential tax cuts, then we can do better than a $34 million investment for education.  It is important to remember that education funding remains $85 million dollars short of 2008 appropriation levels, and that local school districts continue to pass local levies to fund their schools.  I am cosponsoring 4 bills that will put the 20 recommendations made by the Task Force in place.  We know we cannot fund all the recommendations this year, but we can put the framework in place and begin implementation.  I am advocating for a 2% increase for educators this year while we wait to enact the career ladder program. I am also one of the cosponsors for the 3 year pre-K pilot program. This bill will allow us to test the effectiveness of pre-k in Idaho with a minimal investment.

There are several big hearings scheduled for the Lincoln Auditorium at the Capitol.  You can attend these
sessions or listen to the live streaming.

• January 22nd (3:00-5:00) Idaho Core Standards
• January 27th (3:00-5:00) Listening Session regarding education concerns
• January 20th (6:00-7:30 PM) Kitchen Table Economics
• January 24th (8:00-9:30 AM) Health and Welfare Listening Session

Economy

Some interesting economic facts:

Idaho is 49th in the nation in per pupil expenditures.
Idaho has the highest number per capita of minimum wage jobs.
Idaho is 50th in the nation in per capita income.
Idaho has the lowest percent of  college students graduating.
This is the first time in over 20 years we have an  outmigration of our 20-29 year-olds.

These facts are alarming to me.  We need to invest in workforce training and jobs that allow our children and grandchildren the opportunity to stay and raise their families in Idaho.

Medicaid Expansion

Because many of our republican colleagues are facing primary challenges from the far right this year, this subject is probably off the table.  Unfortunately this will leave $60 million on the table and over a 100,000 people in Idaho without healthcare coverage.  These citizens will not qualify for healthcare coverage so will be forced to use the emergency room for their care.
Town Hall Meetings 

Please join Representative Phylis King, Representative Ilana Rubel and myself for our District 18 Forums.  We look forward to discussing legislative issues and listening to your concerns.

These town hall meetings will be at 7:00 PM on:

January 28th at Maple Grove Elementary (2800 S Maple Grove Rd, Boise)

February 18th at Timberline High School (701 E Boise, Boise)

March 18th at East Junior High (5600 Warm Springs Ave, Boise)

If I can be of any assistance, please contact me.   Thank you for your confidence and support.  I am honored to represent you.

Best wishes,

Senator Janie Ward-Engelking

b>District 18

Due to Senator Branden Durst’s resignation and my appointment to his seat, I was sworn into office at 8:00 AM Monday morning by Brent Hill, Senate Pro Tem.  The move to the Senate is both exciting and challenging, and I look forward to a productive session.  I will be serving on the following committees:   Education, Agriculture, and Commerce and Human Resource.

The governor gave his “State of the State” address on Monday.  I was delighted to hear education is the governor’s top priority, and he will be promoting the task force’s recommendation.  However, I believe his investment in education funding is too low.  Education and Idaho’s economy are intertwined.  Businesses need a highly skilled workforce and well-funded research and development programs.  We want to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to work and stay in Idaho to raise their families.

As a member of the Commerce and Human Resources Committee, I am part of the Change in Employee Compensation Committee (CEC).  We are meeting this week (Tuesday, 1:15-4:45 pm; Wednesday, 1:15-5:00 pm; and Friday, 1:30-5:00 pm) in the Lincoln Auditorium to discuss State employees’ compensation.  It has been six years since this committee has met.  Hopefully some positive recommendations to improve the compensation of our employees will emerge.

DEMS Under the DOME

Tonight, January 10, 2014, 6:00-9:00 pm at The Carnegie Library – 815 W Washington St, Boise ID 83702

Join Ada County Legislators for a fun evening of music, drinks, and light hors d’oeuvres.  We will be discussing issues before the legislature and how you can get involved.

I will be updating my website and changing my political banner this month.  I apologize for using my representative format but will take care of this as soon as possible.  You can contact me at 208-332-1425 or via email at jwardengelking@senate.idaho.gov.  Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,