From the Desk of Representative Chew

Legislative Newsletter: Cutting essential programs was unneeded and irresponsible! We had creative solutions to weather this economic downturn without raising taxes, but the majority party continued to vote against Idaho’s kids, and the health and safety of all Idahoans by ignoring fiscally responsible solutions to the economic issues that faced the State’s budget. Action: Find other people living in other districts and let them know that these cuts were not necessary!!! Action: Get involved by volunteering, donating, and talking to your neighbors about these cuts. The Problem: JFAC sets the budget for all public agencies, including Education, Health & Welfare, and Criminal Justice. To meet the revenue shortfall, two choices were available: cut, cut, cut or take up the creative ways to retrieve the needed funds. The majority party in JFAC, unfortunately voted against Idaho’s kids, and the health and safety of all of us in the state. I am concerned because I think these actions will further deteriorate our local communities because it puts more people in the unemployment line.JFAC (Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, or the “budget-making committee”) voted to: - Cut the education budget which not only is the first time in Idaho history, but for some $160 million - Cut the Health & Welfare budget–essentially $190 million says Director Dick Armstrong. Medicaid largely serves low-income children, disabled adults and nursing home patients. Armstrong explains that these cuts are so deep that it will result in local H&W offices being closed with many jobs lost.  He also questioned whether some of the directives from the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee would be acceptable to the federal agency that oversees Medicaid. - Cut the prison budget—Rep. Bolz says that prisons are at 100% capacity. Betsy Russell, a reporter at The Spokesman Tribune writes, “they’ve already been warned that further prison funding cuts would require releasing inmates.”  Director Renke says, “We’re already down $29 million from where we started 18 months ago.” Creative Solutions: The majority party refused to be fiscally responsible in balancing the State’s budget by disregarding these important revenue-raising options: Here are $140 million in easy ways that we could have raised needed money without raising our taxes:       Collect uncollected taxes: $60 million. There is $240 million in taxes due but uncollected. The first $60 million the Tax Commission says is easy to get. These are mostly due to simple math errors on tax forms.· Collect uncollected sales tax due on  internet, catalog and telephone sales: $80 million Cut! Cut! Cut! Is not the same as being fiscally responsible! Now is the time to act!   Talk to your neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues about these budget cuts and the creative solutions that were ignored by the majority party, especially if these folks are outside of your district. Volunteer, contribute, and help raise awareness about these cuts, and let’s send a message to the majority party that Idahoans will not tolerate fiscal irresponsibility especially at the sake of our children, and the well-being of all Idahoans!     If you would like to contact me, my phone is (208) 570-9479, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Best Regards, Rep. Sue Chew, Dist. 17b