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.