They said it

North Idaho lawmakers comment on the recently concluded session.

Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake

“Contractor registration created a lot of conversation. I believe it’s going to protect not only property owners but large and small contractors, too. … I am a small contractor; it applies to me also. … I’ll be the first to sign on to an initiative (on property taxes) if the Legislature doesn’t do its duty to give relief.”

Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Coeur d’Alene

“We’ve made some giant steps toward solving our future water issues … (and) a plan to improve Highway 95. … We made strides toward protecting consumers by approving contractor registration, and bicyclists are safer at stoplights.”

Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene

“The contractor bill was one of the successes that we are thrilled about. That was a big thing for my county and chamber of commerce. I think it’s a start. … It’s not going to be a cure-all.”

Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake

“We got a lot of things done – some of them I didn’t like. The corporate incentives bill was a large property tax giveaway. … My efforts were spent on the Nez Perce bill. … The majority of my time was involved in water, probably 90 percent of my time.”

Sen. Dick Compton, R-Coeur d’Alene

“The GARVEE bill is forward-thinking. I think in 10 years from now, we’ll look back and say, ‘Hey, we did that.’ … It’s not real jazzy, but a new audit program for the long-term care folks will save hundreds of thousands of dollars and help the caregivers do a much better job. … I wish we could’ve done more in the area of higher education.”

Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover

“Personally, I’m pleased with the energy bills. We made real progress. … We are running into a situation where we don’t have adequate electric energy resources. By developing renewable resources, we provide stability in energy supply and price.”

Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene

“If there was one thing, it would be GARVEE. … It’s a departure from tradition. We haven’t bonded for roads for a long, long time. … I had a local-option tax bill and I had a commitment from the speaker that it would get a hearing, and it did not. I’m very disappointed with that.”

Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol

“I never agreed with HB 306 (corporate incentives). I felt like it was a tax shift. I’m disappointed as well that we didn’t pass property tax relief. The pressure will be on next year for us to move, because an initiative is in the works.”

Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries

“I thought this was probably one of the worst sessions that I’ve been in. It seems like everything we’ve done, we changed the misdemeanor to a felony. Prisons are overcrowded right now. They take up a big chunk of our budget. It seems like we’re trying to fill ‘em up faster.”

Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls

“The major disappointment was that I planned, long before the session started, to get a bill done on property tax relief. But I couldn’t get one out of committee. I cannot believe the decision maker would be so insensitive to the needs of the people.”

Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake

“I think that citizens should have the same right to be heard as a corporation. We had eight or nine bills over in the House to try to look at property tax relief – all of ‘em were just dismissed. Shame on us, is what I say.”

Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint

“We’ll have a significant tool to help us with our road projects. We’ve moved our natural resources issues surrounding water quality and water quantity to the front. Even though some would say it’s not enough, we’ve increased funding for schools and for people who aren’t able to help themselves.”

Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene

“The (highway) bill was the biggest thing we did this session. … It’s extremely important to North Idaho. … I supported the tax incentive bills because they will create economic development. Those companies will hire people.”

Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene

“What we have to do for disclosure pales in comparison to other states. It’s time to look at it. Anything we can do to keep the process open is good.”

Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Prichard

“We need more sunshine on exactly what we’re doing. We have a responsibility to the people that sent us here. … My mind’s been on GARVEE for several weeks now. … We just continue to kill people on (U.S. Highway) 95.”