11/17/09

Tuesday several state legislators gave a preview to area chamber members on what is to be expected at the upcoming legislative session.

"Its going to be a very difficult year."

Idaho's legislative session is just around the corner and legislators are preparing for a challenging session. A lot of talk is going around of trimming the budget, and could this be a chopping block session.

District 23 State Representative Jim Patrick says, "Hopefully not, hopefully we can do precise cuts in what’s needed and par of that can be efficiencies, combining agencies and creative ideas."

Patrick says the legislature may have to make cuts where they never intended to in the past; but, some say the state has already cut a lot of fat, and this season they may start cutting into meat and bone.

While District 24 State Senator Charles Coiner says, "I think we also have to look for revenue." Coiner says there may be ways of raising fees, rather than taxes to make up for some short falls.

Representative Patrick says it’s certainly a possibility Idahoans may have to pay more to use a state park. He says the governor has made it clear taxes won’t be raised. There is still the push for more trimming, but Senator Coiner says that could cost the state in the long run.

He says, "If you cut programs that are saving you money because you don't have the dollar up front that cut is going to cost you 2 or three, four dollars later on. I believe in certain circumstances that’s where we are today."

Senator Coiner says it’s all about priorities, and the legislature has some very tough decisions to make.