My apologies for taking so long to get back to you, but I have been so deeply involved in the CEC (Change in Employee Compensation) committee that it has consumed a great deal of my time. I have met a lot of very interesting people along the way -- all with different views. As you may know, it is the state's intention to give employees a 1% across-the-board increase, with the rest going into the merit matrix and trying to focus on hard-to-fill positions. It is a pitiful attempt, and it is one I have been fighting. I think it will pass. I will continue debating this on the floor, but the votes to stop it just are not there.

The House is waiting to hear Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's new plan (ISTARS lite), which also has the blessing of Governor Otter. The bill number is SB1436.

One of the proposals that I have found troubling is the possibility of a constitutional amendment for local option taxes. It is my belief that problems like this are the responsibility of legislators and should be a matter of local control by the communities directly involved. Let me know what you think.

I also am working on a bill that will allow charter schools (in this case, ANSER) to be able to bid on surplus school equipment. Currently, they can't and the bill should come up around the first of next week.

The midwife bill (HB488) has generated a lot of attention. Currently midwives are not required to be certified. This bill would allow midwives to be certified on a voluntary basis. It is being amended and the final bill is not complete. I will report to you next week on this bill.

Thank you for letting me serve you and District 19 in the Idaho Legislature. I appreciate you and hope you will keep contacting me.

The Obama rally was incredible -- full of energy, hope and so many young people. It was just the jumpstart we needed, followed by last week's Tuesday caucus. So many people attended both events that it was necessary to turn people away.

In the Legislature, we had some dramatic events occurring as well, not legislative but with our own members. Our wonderful Dennis Lake suffered a stroke last Thursday, making us more aware of our own mortality. It was particularly painful because his wonderful granddaughter is one of our pages. She is a trouper just like her grandfather.

On Friday, Brent Crane and his wife had a baby boy. What an exciting event for them.

Friday was the last day bills could be presented so we had a bipartisan hustle to get bills to the appropriate committees.

This week will be voting on issues such as:

• Capitol building project
• Defining truck campers
• Several appropriation bills
• Community colleges
• Motor vehicle insurance
• Higher education
• Horse racing
• Public virtual schools

If you want information regarding the details of these bills, just e-mail me at apasley-stuart@house.idaho.gov or call me at 332-1000.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you.