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.<\/p>\n
My Standing committee assignments and schedule:<\/p>\n
8AM Agricultural Affairs\u00a0TTh<\/p>\n
1:30 Commerce\u00a0and Human Resources\u00a0 TTh<\/p>\n
3:30Health and Welfare MTWTh<\/p>\n
I was also assigned to interim committees:<\/p>\n
CAT Fund (which provides legislative oversight for the catastrophic insurance fund)<\/p>\n
Millennium Fund (which oversees tobacco settlement funds used to deter tobacco and substance abuse)<\/p>\n
Health Care Task Force<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
The Millennium Fund Committee met the\u00a0second 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading