Amid the challenges presented by the occupation of new offices, legislators are exchanging ideas about the proposed additional cuts to K-12 education and higher education. The proposals to zero fund Public Television, the Hispanic Commission, the Women’s Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Council on Learning Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities, the Independent Living Council as well as other cuts, were a shock to many.
The proposal to eliminate the Department of Recreation and Parks has also created quite a stir. One idea is to split their functions between the Department of Lands and the Department of Fish and Game. Privately, some veteran observers are saying this will never happen.
During these difficult economic times, I will continue to insist that our children be given a chance in life through educational opportunities. In addition, post secondary education is the machine that drives job creation.
Much of the past two days has been in meetings with agency folks that have legislation that they want to introduce in the Resource and Environment Committee as well as various legislative advisors.
Potlatch Corporation, now with Headquarters in Moscow, had a contingent that stopped by my Office today, led by Mark Benson.
Committees are assigning rules to various legislators for review.
Representative Dell Raybould and myself, co-chairmen of the Interim Natural Resource Committee, presented a report to Legislative Council on our meetings this past summer.