Dear Neighbor:
It is a distinct honor and a privilege to represent Valley, Idaho, Clearwater and Lewis Counties as they comprise District 8. It has been reassuring to have responses and input from all areas of the district. A few of the positive accomplishments of this legislative session are:
Grocery Tax Relief: Effective tax year 2008, lower income Idahoans will receive $50 back on their sales taxes, $30 for all other Idahoans and an additionaL$20 for seniors, with credit increases of $10 each year until it reaches $100. Most importantly is the ability of low income people to file a form for a rebate even though they do not file income tax forms. HB 588
Driver’s Licenses for Legal Residents Only: This ensures those with a valid driver’s license will be legal residents. Aliens will not be granted driver’s license extensions. HB 366
Crop Residue Burning: Department of Environmental Quality will administer the open burning of crop residue. HB 557
Identity Theft: Permits consumers to “freeze” access to their credit reports. SB 1380aa
Foreclosure Rescue Scams: All contracts entered into while a residential home is in foreclosure process must be in writing with a five day right of rescission. SB 143 laa
Abortion: It will be a criminal act to coerce or attempt to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion.
RB 654aa
REAL ID: Continued opposition to the implementation of this invasion of privacy. RB 606
Community Infrastructure Districts: A new tool to fund public infrastructure in advance of new developments and make growth pay for growth. RB 680
Wolves: Authorizes disposal of wolves in the event they are molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals. SB 1347aaR
Economic Development: Grants county commissioners the authority to negotiate cancellation of property taxes for up to 5 years if an entity spends at least $3 million for new manufacturing facilities in rural areas. HB 550
Personal Property Tax Relief: Establishes a $100,000 exemption for all businesses which removes the tax liability entirely for 88% of all Idaho businesses. RB 599aa,aaS aaS

Please feel free to contact me on any issue at lheinrich@senate.Idaho.gov or call me at 271-6243.

Respectfully Yours,
Senator Lee Heinrich
District 8