No Nukes for Idaho...

I realize there are a lot of pros and cons to nuclear energy... and since science was never a favorite subject of mine, I won't pretend to understand all of it. My resistance comes from my belief that nuclear power is unsafe, I don't trust the "government" to be honest with us about the long-term affects, and I don't believe we have developed a safe way to deal with waste. I will NEVER support a "solution" that will impact my grandchildren (who aren't born yet).

That being said, I found this very interesting and important for us to know:

Nuclear Power and France: The Most Complex and Unsolved Radioactive Waste Problem in the World

France gets nearly 80% of its electricity from its 58 reactors.

However, such a heavy reliance on nuclear power brings with it many major, unsolved problems, most especially that of radioactive waste. In fact, the French nuclear power program has resulted in the most complex nuclear waste problem in the world and includes an accumulated "pile of plutonium" with no safe disposal option of more than 80 metric tons sitting in tens of thousands of vulnerable containers.

France reprocesses domestic and foreign reactor waste - chemically separating the plutonium from the unfissioned uranium. Only about one percent of this mass is plutonium and only a small fraction of this is "recyled" as reactor fuel in "MOX" reactors. Operating MOX reactors in France - that use a blend of plutonium and uranium oxide fuel - comprise only 16of the fleet and all the waste these reactors generated has to be transported and stored. It is not reprocessed.

Reprocessing itself results in large quantities of liquid wastes that are discharged into the English Channel. This has resulted in radioactive contamination of the seas as far as the Arctic Circle and in leukemia clusters around the French reprocessing plant (La Hague.) Aerial discharges are also highly radioactive - thousands of times higher than natural background radiation.

Read our fact sheet on Nuclear Power in France: Setting the Record Straight to learn more about the French nuclear mess.

And read The Cogema File to better understand the culture of cover-ups and contamination that has marked the corporate nuclear history of France.

Thank you, Sharon, for all you given us...

Idaho Press-Tribune
Sharon Strauss sstrauss@idahopress.com
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Prominent local Democrat dies

CANYON COUNTY — Just days after the largest Democratic caucus in Canyon County memory, local party activist Sharon Van Slyke died of cancer Sunday. In addition to her political work, Van Slyke has been lauded as a strong force for women and for her work to help children.

Van Slyke, 69, of Kuna, died Sunday after battling cancer. She resided at Karcher Estates rehabilitation center in Nampa at the time of her death. She lived for more than 20 years in rural Canyon County with her husband, Carl, before the couple moved to Kuna.

A matriarch of the Democratic party, Van Slyke spent a lifetime championing its causes. In particular, she advocated for a greater role for women in Idaho politics.

Van Slyke dedicated countless hours to the Idaho Democratic Women’s Caucus, holding positions both as the president and regional director. Her years of work positively impacted women politicians across the state, her fellow Democrats said.

“She was a very dedicated Democrat. She worked very hard for the party, not only for Canyon County but for the state as a whole,” said Nampa resident Mary Peck, who worked with Van Slyke for decades on Canyon County Democrat issues.

Under Van Slyke’s leadership, a candidate training module was developed by the caucus to help candidates of both genders run successful campaigns.

She also started “Dine and Dialogue with Democratic Divas,” a lunch forum that featured Democratic leaders and spotlighted issues.

When not advancing Democratic principles, she often held Democratic fundraisers at her home.

The Democratic Party was just one of Van Slyke’s many causes.

“Her claim to fame and the thing she enjoyed doing was being the birthing mother of various organizations,” her husband Carl told the Idaho Press-Tribune. “People would ask her what she did, and she would say she was a community activist.”

Among the organizations she helped bring to life were the local Interfaith Alliance, of which she was a founding member in 1998, and the Idaho Refugee Resettlement Program, where she formerly served as director.

She was a “founding mother” of the Idaho Women’s Network, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. She also served as president of the United Way of Canyon County.

“We were sad to hear of Sharon’s passing and deeply appreciated her efforts in the progressive movement,” said Idaho Women’s Network executive director Donna Wade.

Close to her heart was her affiliation with the Church Women United movement, where Van Slyke served on the national board.

Children’s advocacy was also her passion, and she played a key role in helping head up a campaign against childhood hunger with the Idaho Hunger Action Council, her husband said.

Her strong advocacy for children’s issues was inspired by the challenges she faced rearing her own daughter, who had epilepsy, Carl Van Slyke said. Over the years she served on a governor-appointed state youth council and was involved in various other child-advocacy causes, including the Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

“She was always interested in making the community a better place,” said Sally Zive, president and CEO of United Way of Treasure Valley, who first met Van Slyke in 1995. Van Slyke was a long-time United Way board member as well as the organization’s former Canyon County president. “She was one of these classic community volunteers. She just knew what needed to be done, and either recruited people to help her get things done or she got it done herself.”

Van Slyke’s health began to decline this fall after cancer was found in her stomach. Upon biopsy it was determined that it was breast cancer that had spread to her stomach.

Her husband Carl said that even as she grew weaker throughout the winter, “she still (had) that feisty attitude.”

Van Slyke wore her affiliation with the Democratic Party proudly, said those who knew her, despite an often uphill battle in Republican-dominated Canyon County.

Politics continued to be a mainstay in her life, even near the end. Van Slyke even had a life-size cut-out of Hillary Clinton in her hospital room, and the prop moved in with her at Karcher Estates.

“We have been watching Democratic politics on TV each day. We are just sorry that we were not able to participate in the Idaho Caucuses on Feb. 5,” Carl Van Slyke told friends via e-mail in the days before her passing.

In a 2005 interview, Van Slyke told the Idaho Press-Tribune that she hoped her legacy would be that she helped recruit and nurture a new generation of female politicians. “(R)ight now we have younger professional women who I firmly believe will be the senators, mayors and congress people as we progress into the next century,” Van Slyke said.

[I first met Sharon through the Center for New Directions in the early 90s. I was so thrilled to re-connect with her again via the Idaho Democratic Party... what a role model, what a star, what a DIVA! She has touched many lives and our world is a better place because she was here... -drp]

Reason #1969 to vote "NO" for McCain

We do NOT need a third Bush term!!

We do not need more LIES!

We do not need more WAR!

We need the TRUTH!

We need HONESTY!

We need to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

END THE WAR... NOW!!!

Vote OBAMA!

Reason #1968 to vote "NO" for McCain

America cannot afford more of the same.

America cannot afford to continue Bush's administration.

America cannot afford to continue Bush's war.

America cannot allow our military men and women
to continue paying the price for our ignorance.

Ask yourself:

How can we continue to fund the war, but not the casualties?

How can we continue to allow defense contractors to profit even beyond their OWN expectations? Especially after all of the misuse of the funds they've been given so far?

How can we pretend that the war in Iraq is about OIL and not 9/11?

How can we allow the war based upon lies to continue for the next ten years?

How can we continue to demand we "win" in Iraq... when we can't even define "win", are NOT winning, and have never even been CLOSE to winning?

How can we continue to send our damaged and broken soldiers back to the war zone? (At least the ones who haven't committed suicide...)

How can we continue to allow this administration to lie to us and bury information?

How can we continue to pretend that the financial and human price that we are paying for the war in Iraq is keeping America safe?

How can we afford the price we will be paying (and NEED to pay) to take care of our veterans?

How can we continue to say the surge is working when our troops still can't come home and are still being killed at alarming numbers?

How can we even consider a "pause" in troop reductions... haven't we been lied to enough?

How can we continue to deny that we are in another Vietnam?

How can we even THINK about starting another war?

When will America say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"?

In November 2008... VOTE OBAMA!

Reason #1967 to vote "NO" for McCain

Go ahead, make fun of me for believing in "HOPE" and having dreams for my children... but you will not convince me that this man should be the next leader of America.

Vote OBAMA!

Why the waving of the flag doesn't impress me anymore...

It breaks my heart... I feel like I'm letting down people who I respect and admire deeply... but I can't stand the hypocrisy anymore...

"Support the troops" means "sacrifice more Americans"...
"God is on our side" means "I don't care if the government lied..."
"Look, I am wearing a flag pin!" means "I don't have to do anything else!"
"I'm a Republican" means "My head is up my tailpipe and I don't have to pay attention!"

Is anybody paying attention??? Idahoans don't seem to give a rat's ass about our Congressmen and how they FAIL to support our veterans...

Good grief, Senator Larry Craig (formerly Chair of Veterans Affairs) was given consistently FAILING grades by various veterans' associations for the past ten years... did anybody notice?? NO! As long as he was a Republican, Idaho trusted him... as offensive as his betrayal to our veterans should have been, people supported him... until he started playing footsie in a mens' restroom!

And now... their President who shall only be spoken of in reverent tones (or one shall be not "supporting our troops" or is "unAmerican") has committed yet another betrayal to the men and women who are risking their lives for his war...

During the State of the Union, to thunderous applause, Bush fed out more BS to America by stating that:

"Our military families serve our nation,
they inspire our nation,
and tonight our nation honors them."

That would be wonderful... IF HE ACTUALLY MEANT IT!!

He said that in reference to his proposal to allow our military men and women the ability to transfer their unused educational benefits to their family members.

Does anybody care that he neglected to include it in the budget he sent to Congress? How about a press conference where he can explain this to America, okay?? (He can add it to his explanation of all of the lies, where is bin Laden, and how does he define "Mission Accomplished" today.)

May I suggest that you contact your representives and ask them "WTF?"

No, don't do that...
Just ask them if how they plan on addressing this issue... if at all.
If you are an Idahoan, you know you're just going through the motions... but do it anyway!! Save their response letter for their next campaign!

Hey McCain, get out of my pink house!!

Ooops! Guess who screwed up!!

Make a note:
Before you use someone's songs to promote your campaign... GET PERMISSION!! It's possible the songwriter doesn't SUPPORT you!!

Seriously, folks, do these lyrics sound like a Republican theme song???

There's room enough here

for science to live

and there's room enough here

for religion to forgive...

...And poverty could be just another ugly thing

and bigotry would be seen only as obscene

and the ones who run this land

help the poor and common man...

Like I said, OOOPS!

Words to my heart music

Separation of church and state... it shouldn't be a complex issue but too many of our elected representatives muddle it up. I've tried to explain how I feel but it's like talking to an empty room sometimes...

But then I found this post from Texas:

The real question is not whether GLBT people should be allowed to marry; the question should be is there a valid reason for the government to sanction marriage of any kind?

The Maryland General Assembly has seen the issue this way and has a bill pending that would eliminate all civil marriage and replace it with recognized domestic partnerships. The term marriage would be left to the religious sector where it belongs and the RDPs would be the construct for all legal purposes. Consider it a separation of church and state issue. Marriage is a religious institution and Domestic Partnerships can function for tax and other legal purposes.

This kind of law makes debates about “gay marriage” toothless. After all, the state gives equal rights to all its citizens and it’s up to churches to perform marriage ceremonies. This move will no doubt enrage many folks on the right, but to me it makes complete sense. It keeps the government out of the religious institution of marriage completely. Couples can be joined in a civil union and still receive all the rights of a married couple without the need for a religious ceremony.

For a gay or lesbian couple to get “married” they would first get a civil ceremony and then find a friendly church. This gets the government out of the marriage business and that seems a good idea to me.

DUH.

If you vote for McCain, please head straight to the recruiters office... don't forget to bring your children and grandchildren...

Watch this video and feel inspired...

Then watch this video and cry...

If America screws up yet again, it will be YOUR brothers and sisters, YOUR children and grandchildren who will pay the price...

Friends don't let friends vote STUPID.

Even the DEAD endorse Obama!!!

Mitchell Van Yahres, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, who died Friday, February 8, 2008, in Charlottesville, aged 81, tended trees for a living and people for a lifetime. [...]

His friends, who nearly included everyone who met him, are asked, in lieu of expenditures on flowers and the like, to make a healthy and significant contribution to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama or, if they insist, the charity of their choice.

Go to Raising Kaine for the commentary... there is a personal anecdote about Mr. Van Yahres that is quite touching...

Still undecided? WATCH THIS!

Barack Obama answers an undecided voter in Alexandria on February 10.

Hypocrites Need Not Apply

Here on my blog and out in the real world, some people keep talking about Obama's faith... he isn't Christian enough for them or something. One comment here on my blog stated that Obama should have his picture taken holding a Bible in order to prove his Christianity.

I want to remind these "Christians" about what the Bible says about "hypocrites":


Luke 11:39
And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Ezekiel 33:31-32
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.

Matthew 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Matthew 6:1-61
Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

If you really think about it, Obama is following God's law... and following Christ. He doesn't need to carry a Bible around as a photo op to remind people ... he is following Christian Principles by through his actions.... and that is what matters.

CDC Warning: New STD

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a virulent new strain of Sexually Transmitted Disease.

The disease is contracted through dangerous and high-risk behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim and is pronounced "gonna re-elect him."

Many victims contracted it in 2004, after having been screwed for four years. Cognitive characteristics of individuals infected include:

• anti-social personality disorders,
• delusions of grandeur with messianic overtones,
• extreme cognitive dissonance,
• inability to incorporate new information,
• pronounced xenophobia and paranoia,
• inability to accept responsibility for one's own actions,
• cowardice masked by misplaced bravado,
• uncontrolled facial smirking,
• ignorance of geography and history,
• tendencies towards evangelical theocracy,
• and categorical all-or-nothing behavior.

Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed at how this destructive disease originated only a few years ago from a bush found in Texas.

To increase your own immunity to this disease, go here.

Jesus as VP... it's almost this bad...

If JESUS ran for President...

I posted this two years ago, I'm sure it's been around even longer. But with the current chatter about which Presidential nominee is the best "Christian" for the job... I felt the need to re-post...

Click the image for a bigger picture...

Bush's legacy... makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy...

Click on image for bigger picture... click on title for link to original with sources.

Larry Craig: The Man With The Miracle Cure

Larry Craig has always known what really is causing America's economic woes...

The war in Iraq? Nope.
The lack of jobs which pay a living wage? Nope.
Increased cost of health care and related bankrupticies? Nope.
Credit companies sucking the blood out of struggling Americans? Nope.
Corporate CEOs who rape the retirement funds of their employees? Nope.
The increased cost of gas? food? utilities? Nope. Nope. Nope.

It's ALWAYS been the housing market.

And Larry boy has always known that. He's so smart! And polite too! He didn't want to be rude and point out the obvious a few months ago... it would have embarrassed the Republican presidential nominees who all claimed that our economy was doing SO well! He didn't want to point it out last year... or the year before...

But now it is the right time for Larry Craig to not only explain to America what the real problem is but to also offer the miracle solution!

Are you ready?

No, no, he doesn't support the economic stimulus bill that the House and Senate passed February 7 because it did not address the housing problem.

He also opposed the bill because he felt that it was "fiscally irresponsible to increase our budget deficit by $150 billion just to give everyone a few hundred extra bucks to spend."

Fiscally irresponsible?! I didn't realize he even knew what those words MEANT!! (I happen to agree with him... as much as I will appreciate the money to catch up on our outstanding bills, I know we'll be paying for it later.)

No, Larry's magic potion consists of providing a $5,000 tax credit "to buy homes sitting on the market".

That will not help those who are losing their homes right now... or are behind on their payments.

That will not help the folks who are struggling to pay rent.

That will not help the families living in substandard housing.

That will not help the families who use their full paychecks to pay for gas, food, and medical bills.

That will not help the families whose credit is already so damaged due to wages that can't keep up with the cost of living that they would never be able be approved for a loan.

That will not help the families who haven't even been able to set aside money for a down payment (they put it in their kids' college fund instead... ha ha ha!).

So... who does this help?

• The banks... who have foreclosed on many homes.
• The people who want to sell their $200,000 home to buy a $300,000 home.
• The developers who got greedy and built more homes than the market could absorb.
• The families who need to sell their $200,000 home so they can move into a $100,000 home because they can no longer afford to pay for their $200,000 home.
• The wealthy who need a second/third/fourth vacation home, and another tax break like I need another dog.

What does Larry see that I'm missing???


Larry closes with this:
"It may help some, but it won't be enough. I believe that because Congress didn't address the housing market this time around, we will be back in a few months doing this again. Next time, I hope Congress gets it right."

Why do I feel like throwing up?

Check out his E-Newsletter... and don't forget to answer his survey question:

Would you or someone you know use

a $5,000 tax credit to purchase a home this year?

Personally, just about everyone I know would is struggling to hold on to the house they already have...own or rent.

Veterans: NO to McCain!!!

TO: Interested Parties
FROM: VoteVets.org
RE: Senator McCain’s Real Record on the War in Iraq
DATE: February 8, 2008

Senator John McCain presents himself as a maverick and a critic of the Iraq war. But a close read of his record indicates that his position on the Iraq war has consistently matched President George W. Bush’s.

Before The War:
McCain used many of the same arguments as Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Cheney and President Bush when advocating going to war with Iraq.

McCain co-sponsored the Use of Force Authorization that gave President George W. Bush the green light – and a blank check - for going to war with Iraq. [SJ Res 46, 10/3/02]

McCain argued Saddam was “a threat of the first order.” Senator McCain said that a policy of containing Iraq to blunt its weapons of mass destruction program is "unsustainable, ineffective, unworkable and dangerous."

McCain: "I believe Iraq is a threat of the first order, and only a change of regime will make Iraq a state that does not threaten us and others, and where liberated people assume the rights and responsibilities of freedom.” [Speech to the Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2/13/03]

McCain echoed Bush and Cheney’s rationale for going to war. McCain: “It’s going to send the message throughout the Middle East that democracy can take hold in the Middle East.” [Fox, Hannity & Colmes, 2/21/03]

McCain echoed Bush and Cheney’s talking points that the U.S. would only be in Iraq for a short time.

McCain: “It’s clear that the end is very much in sight. … It won’t be long…it’ll be a fairly short period of time.” [ABC, 4/9/03]

McCain said winning the war would be “easy.” “I know that as successful as I believe we will be, and I believe that the success will be fairly easy, we will still lose some American young men or women.” [CNN, 9/24/02]

During The War:

Senator McCain praised Donald Rumsfeld as late as May 12, 2004, after the Abu Ghraib scandal.

Asked if Donald Rumsfeld can continue to be an effective secretary of defense, McCain: “Yes, today I do and I believe he's done a fine job. He's an honorable man.” [Hannity and Colmes, 5/12/04]

Senator McCain repeatedly supported President Bush on the Iraq War – voting with him in the Senate, defending his actions and publicly praising his leadership.

McCain maintains the war was a good idea.

At the 2004 Republican National Convention, McCain, focusing on the war in Iraq, said that while weapons of mass destruction were not found, Saddam once had them and “he would have acquired them again.”

McCain said the mission in Iraq “gave hope to people long oppressed” and it was “necessary, achievable and noble.”

McCain: “For his determination to undertake it, and for his unflagging resolve to see it through to a just end, President Bush deserves not only our support, but our admiration.” [Plain Dealer, 8/31/04]

Senator McCain: “The war, the invasion was not a mistake. [Meet the Press, 1/6/08]

Asked if the war was a good idea worth the price in blood and treasure, McCain: “It was worth getting rid of Saddam Hussein. He had used weapons of mass destruction, and it's clear that he was hell-bent on acquiring them.” [Republican Debate, 1/24/08]

McCain defended Bush’s rationale for war. Asked if he thought the president exaggerated the case for war, McCain said, “I don’t think so.” [Fox News, 7/31/03]

McCain has been President Bush’s most ardent Senate supporter on Iraq. According to Michael Shank of the Foreign Policy in Focus think tank, McCain was at times Bush’s “most solid support in the Senate” on Iraq. [Foreign Policy in Focus, 1/15/08]

McCain voted against holding Bush accountable for his actions in the war. McCain opposed the creation of an independent commission to investigate the development and use of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq. [S. Amdt. 1275 to H.R. 2658, Vote # 284, 7/16/03]

McCain praised Bush’s leadership on the war. McCain: “I think the president has led with great clarity and I think he’s done a great job leading the country…” [MSNBC, Hardball, 4/23/03]

Senator McCain has constantly moved the goal posts of progress for the war – repeatedly saying it would be over soon.

January 2003: “But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” [MSNBC, 1/22/03]

March 2003: “I believe that this conflict is still going to be relatively short.” [NBC, Meet the Press, 3/30/03]

June 2004: “The terrorists know that this is a very critical time.” [CNN, 6/23/04]

December 2005: "Overall, I think a year from now, we will have a fair amount of progress [in Iraq] if we stay the course.” [The Hill, 12/8/05]

November 2006: “We’re either going to lose this thing or win this thing within the next several months." [NBC, Meet the Press, 11/12/06]

Senator McCain opposed efforts to end the overextension of the military that is having a devastating impact on our troops.

McCain voted against requiring mandatory minimum downtime between tours of duty for troops serving in Iraq. [S. Amdt.. 2909 to S Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 341, 9/19/07; S Amdt. 2012 to S Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote #241, 7/11/07]

McCain was one of only 13 senators to vote against adding $430 million for inpatient and outpatient care for veterans. [S Amdt. 3642 to HR 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06]

Senator McCain has consistently opposed any plan to withdraw troops from Iraq

Senator McCain repeatedly voted against a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. [S. Amdt. 3876 to S.Amdt. 3874 to H.R. 2764, Vote #438, 12/18/07; S.Amdt.. 3875 to S.Amdt.. 3874 to H.R. 2764, Vote # 437, 12/18/07; S.Amdt.3164 to H.R. 3222, Vote # 362, 10/3/07; S.Amdt. 2898 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585, Vote #346, 9/21/07; S.Amdt. 2924 to S.Amdt.. 2011 to H.R.1585, Vote #345, 9/21/07; S.Amdt.2 087 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585, Vote #252, 7/18/07; S.Amdt. 643 to H.R. 1591, Vote #116, 3/27/07; S.Amdt. 4320 to S. 2766, Vote #182, 6/22/06; S.Amdt. 4442 to S. 2766, Vote #181, 6/22/06; S.Amdt.. 2519 to S.1042, Vote # 322, 11/15/05]

Senator McCain has consistently demonized Americans who want to find a responsible way to remove troops from Iraq so that we can take the fight to al Qaeda.

McCain: "I believe to set a date for withdrawal is to set a date for surrender.” [Charlotte Observer, 9/16/07]

McCain called proponents of a congressional resolution opposing the troop surge in Iraq intellectually dishonest. [Associated Press. 2/4/07]

The Future:

Senator McCain now says he sees no end to the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq.

McCain: "[M]ake it a hundred" years in Iraq and "that would be fine with me." [Derry, New Hampshire Town Hall meeting, 1/3/08]

McCain on how long troops may remain in Iraq: “A thousand years. A million years. Ten million years. It depends on the arrangement we have with the Iraqi government.” [Associated Press, 1/04/08]

Rep. Jaquet: Food Tax Update

I am writing to update you on the situation that is surrounding the issue of food tax credits that is again before the legislature this session. Today proved to be an interesting meeting of the House Revenue and Taxation committee as the controversial issue of food tax credit was brought to the table. The bill under consideration today was that of HB 0439. This bill proposes an addition to existing law to provide for income tax credits or refunds for certain resident individuals to offset the cost of sales tax on food.

This legislation addresses the inadequacies of the current law by incrementally increasing this "Food Tax Credit" starting with an increase to $55 for the poorest Idahoans, $30 for all other Idahoans, and an additional $20 for seniors for tax year 2008.

However, the majority of the committee believe that this issue is better accomplished by a repeal of the tax on food, a basic necessity. After numerous testimonials from members of the community and representatives from various churches and organizations it was decided by the committee that the bill, HB 0439 will be held in committee until other options have been brought forth and considered.

One such potential bill is being brought forward by one of our Democratic Representatives, James Ruchti. Our Food Tax Elimination Act proposes an elimination of the 6% sales tax on food by a reduction of 1% per year for six years. Not only does this provide a fiscally responsible and feasible approach to this necessary repeal, but it also has a greater positive impact for those Idaho citizens who are not eligible to receive a refund under the current grocery tax program. In addition to our bill, there are others that will be brought forward for consideration, and I will continue to keep you up to date with the developments surrounding this crucial issue.

Please be sure to keep in touch if you have any questions or concerns about this issue. I can be reached at wjaquet@house.idaho.gov or 800/626-0471. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Rep. Jaquet: Legislative Report Week 5

What a hectic week. Friday was the last day to get bills submitted to afternoon committees. Combine that with the County Winter Conference which featured a speech from Speaker Newt Gingrich, a trip home to vote in the caucus, a presentation to the credit union association, a luncheon with the FFA students and a phone that was drowned by a leaky water bottle and now I’m hoping the roads are open to Ketchum to make it home this weekend.

I’ve had some ups and downs with legislation:

The counties approved, in concept, large generation facility siting legislation. The legislation applies only to merchant plants and creates the opportunity for informed decision making at the local level. This next week I’ll be presenting the concept/draft to the cooperative and municipal utilities that are exempt as are the investor owned utilities.

An attempt at introducing a bill to require renewal portfolio standards at 25% by 2025 will not get a hearing this year.

Affordable workforce home legislation has been dropped off with the House Revenue and Taxation Committee for introduction in the near future. The bills include adding affordable workforce housing as an eligible use for development impact fees, requiring developers to ensure the development of workforce housing or pay a fee in lieu of development, a voter approved proposed tax levy to home owners whose home is valued at $1 million plus and who don’t qualify for the homeowners exemption, and an expansion of county local option sales tax to include affordable workforce housing.

The residential sales price disclosure legislation that was drafted and introduced last year was re-introduced this week in the senate. The hearing should be within a week. A second piece of legislation brought by the Idaho Association of Realtors also addresses this situation in a different way. I would appreciate your comments on both of these. You can find them at www.legislature.idaho.gov, under the Legislation link. The bill numbers are SB1400 and SB1401.

Senator Langhorst re-introduced last year’s legislation to abolish the one mile restriction on who may testify in confined animal feeding operations public hearings. The goal is to get the bill through the House this year. I also have drafted a bill that would provide for mediation between cities and/or counties who have concerns about decisions that cross boundaries.

The grocery tax credit was defeated in committee this week. We’re hoping that a bipartisan solution to decreasing the sales tax on food at the cash register will come forth. Legislators are also working on a new credit bill.

A bill to allow highway districts to increase their levies with a vote of the people is before the House Revenue and Taxation committee. Revenues were frozen many years ago at an artificially low rate and districts are having a hard time keeping up with inflationary costs. The Emergency Communications Commission has asked for a 25 cent increase per month on phones to a maximum of $1.25 to provide grant funding for rural communities who don’t have the population to support the Enhanced 911 systems as well as the ongoing maintenance costs of those systems.

Also introduced for hearing is the Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection Act which would give a tax credit to owners of agricultural and forest land who voluntarily agree not to develop lands important to fish and wildlife. I am supporting all of these bills.

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) are scheduled to finish up state agency budget hearings on Wednesday, February 13. Budget setting will start on Monday, February 18 and should finish around March 7. Revenues have begun to slide due to the national recession (most now say we are in a recession!) and we’re anticipating some tough decision making.

Thank you for keeping in touch with me. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Email: wjaquet@house.idaho.gov or Phone: 1/800/626-0471