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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Panhandle Lawmakers Thrilled With Session Highlights Include School Boost And Pay Raises For State Workers

Erica Curless Betsy Z. Russell Contri Staff writer

North Idaho lawmakers say the 1998 session was productive for Panhandle residents - and all of them have plans to seek re-election.

“We’re leaving town with the state in a lot better shape,” Rep. John Campbell, R-Sandpoint, said, emphasizing accomplishments such as pay raises to state employees and stuffing an additional $41 million into the state’s education budget.

Rep. Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene, focused on his representation of the entire Panhandle on the powerful budget committee, which doles out state money to each agency.

Pischner said he wished the committee would have hooked cash to enhance Head Start programs, which are currently only funded with federal dollars.

Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, agreed, saying his only disappointment this session was not grabbing Head Start funds. “There was just too many people looking for funds from the general fund,” he said.

Rep. June Judd, D-St. Maries, said passing the governor’s bill that stops the state from doling out cash to people who build in flood plains was a huge accomplishment.

House Minority Leader Jim Stoicheff of Sandpoint touted his legislation that gives low-income, disabled veterans property tax relief.

Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, worked with Pischner and Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, to snag money to protect the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. But Meyer had less success collaborating with Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden, to remove the deadline for stopping the simulcasts of dog racing.

Not raising taxes made Sen. Gordon Crow happy. The Hayden Republican also praised the state’s progress on Medicaid reform, which he said will save taxpayers money.

“Once it’s fully implemented, it will lower cost to taxpayers as well as expand availability,” he said. “We can cover more people with less money.”

Many northern legislators were disappointed school facility funding wasn’t discussed more. A slew of proposals were introduced, but most died in committee, including an attempt by Sen. Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene to roll back the 66.7 percent supermajority vote required to pass school bond elections to 60 percent.

Though many school funding attempts died, Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden, praised a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to guarantee local school bonds. Voters in November will decide this issue.

Other lawmakers applauded legislation that allows the creation of charter schools.

Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, vowed that she’s still committed to finding cash for Idaho’s many decrepit school buildings.

“The state needs to standardize a policy of helping the neediest districts,” she said.

Keough said she is lobbying for a seat on the interim committee charged with studying how sales tax revenues are distributed. Kellogg had pushed for the study committee for several years, because many northern residents feel the money isn’t spread across the state fairly.

Rep. Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino, was disappointed lawmakers ripped cash from school drug abuse programs because it may cost more money in the future.

“I think kids paid for something maybe to show fiscal responsibility, but in the long run it isn’t that.”

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Erica Curless Staff writer Staff writer Betsy Z. Russell contributed to this report.