West of the Rotunda

My wife, Martha, came to Boise with me for the inaugural. I sat in the crisp sunshine and heard all the state-wide elected officials sworn in. I was impressed with Idaho’s “stay the course” choices. All Incumbents, some now serving for record lengths. Here we are facing drastic budget cuts and the voters wanted more of the same from their statewide officials. Indeed, I was the only Democrat to take a seat from the other party in the Legislature.

Saturday night there was a Processional for the inauguration in the remodeled Capitol. We Senators assembled in front of the Senate Chambers, then walked around to lead the members of the house down the steps to the next floor. There was a rope stretched up with lots of folks in fancy dress on the outside. Shook a lot of hands as I proceeded with my beautiful wife down to the rotunda.

The remodeled Capitol still has the traditional feel but is quite accessible to the public. And it is beautiful. I am honored to be representing my District. Tomorrow we hear the Governor’s State of the State address and we get to start talking about how to make ends meet.

Right after Thanksgiving I made my first trip as a Senator-elect to Boise. There were three days of Orientation, then a swearing in and a day of Organization. We selected leadership and made committee assignments. All during orientation I was impressed with the need to know the Senate Rules, so I studied them most nights. I will have to keep rereading them.

My Standing committee assignments and schedule:

8AM Agricultural Affairs TTh

1:30 Commerce and Human Resources  TTh

3:30Health and Welfare MTWTh

I was also assigned to interim committees:

CAT Fund (which provides legislative oversight for the catastrophic insurance fund)

Millennium Fund (which oversees tobacco settlement funds used to deter tobacco and substance abuse)

Health Care Task Force

I got my office assignment, phone number, parking permit, and made arrangements for housing. But most importantly, like any new job, I met lots of people. I met the other newly-elected legislators during orientation. I am still meeting staff and incumbent Senators, and Representatives.

While back in Moscow I had more meetings with constituents (the North Idaho Medical Society, Dental Society, Moscow teachers, University, EMS, commerce representatives, North Idaho Health District and more).

The Millennium Fund Committee met the second week of December so I made another trip to Boise for this. After two days of hearing proposals on how to spend the $7.9 million that is available from the endowed fund, I began to wonder. We can spend money to discourage smoking, why not consider increasing taxes? I bet a lot of teenagers would find another dollar or two per pack at least a mild deterrent. And keeping kids from starting smoking is a healthy investment.

As I left the capitol parking garage for my drive back up through this beautiful state, I saw a coyote trotting through a parking lot right across the street from me as I exited. People on the sidewalks did not seem to notice. I rolled down my window and called. He was a young one, not yet in full winter coat. He stopped and looked at me for just a second then trotted on across the North End of Boise.

I thought the campaign flashed by in the last month or two, but I now need to look at my calendar to remember all the things I did in November after the election as a new State Senator. I remember an early morning call on November 3rd from Bob Geddes, President Pro Tem of the Senate, welcoming me in a very warm fashion. He was gracious and helpful.
I then made travel plans for the following week to attend the North Idaho Legislature tour, sponsored by the Chambers of Commerce of the Northern Counties. Our state has great differences in geography and distance, economies and culture. This is a biannual event to help familiarize legislators from around the state with the Panhandle. We heard from the colleges and university, many businesses, communities and tribes. I participated in a bus tour of the Silver Valley, still a source of wealth for our state, as environmental remediation continues.
We got a short talk from Lieutenant Governor Brad Little about the problems of our state’s highways. And then a brief talk from Governor Otter about the fortitude we will need to face these difficult times.
I met with constituents (the Charter School, and Farm Bureau) and worked to arrange housing for the session.