Senator
Nuxoll's weekly newsletter
 previously
were planted with potatoes and sprayed with the pesticide. In Finance Committee,
the Department of Agriculture had a request of money for research on the
pesticide which is carefully applied to potato fields to kill the potato
cyst nematode.
Presentations on the department of Education’s budget revolved around 3 guiding principles: 1. Needs of children must drive any change. 2. Every student must have a highly effective teacher. 3. Current and new resources must focus on the demands of the 20th century. Sherri Ybarra emphasized a cultural shift from rigidity to flexibility and one size does not fit all. Included in the proposed budget are increases for operational expenses to bring them up to the 2009 levels, mastery based education (which is advancing the child only after he or she has mastered the subject), career ladder, literacy proficiency, math advancement, etc. The superintendent is advocating for local control and focused on the needs of the children. I really like some of her proposals. The Health and Welfare Committee examined many rules this week, including rules for Medicaid, food stamps, behavioral health, and chiropractors. Because of a rule, the chiropractors lost their right to use a 30 year old injection procedure of minerals and vitamins. Hopefully legislation will be approved to allow this procedure or chiropractors will lose a lot of business, employees will lose jobs, and we will lose another great health solution for chronic diseases. There was a presentation on the primary care access program or Patient Centered Medical Homes for the 78,000 uninsured adults in Idaho. These citizens do need help and I was hoping nonprofits would step up to the plate instead of creating another state program. In Resource Committee we discussed many fish and game rules. A rule that passed allows, beginning September 1 each year, anglers may retain salmon with an intact adipose fin as set by Commission season proclamation as salmon runs increase, and this includes the Lochsa and the Middle Fork Clearwater Rivers. Dan Blanco from Moscow who was appointed to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission until 2019 was interviewed. I have heard good reports about him. Idaho students with their families filled the Capitol on Wednesday for School Choice, which allows parents to choose the school of their choice. Sen. Sheryl L. Nuxoll Idaho State Senate (208) 332-1355 (Direct line) (208) 332-1417 (Assistant’s line) snuxoll@senate.idaho.gov |
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