2013 Legislative Preview

2013 Legislative Preview Agenda
8:00 Welcome to the 2013 Legislative Preview Wayne Hoffman, executive director, Idaho Freedom Foundation
8:15 Medicaid Cure Christie Herrera, Foundation for Government Accountability
Medicaid Cure, a patient centered approach to Medicaid reform, has taken hold in states including Florida, Texas and Kansas. The ever-increasing Medicaid budget places unknown burdens on taxpayers. Medicaid Cure promotes competition in Medicaid and provides an option for state lawmakers… Show more on the fiscal impact.
9:00 Personal Property Taxes Alex LaBeau, president, Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry
Personal property tax on business will be a hot topic this legislative session. Alex will lay out the argument why Idaho should eliminate the tax and why it is good for our economy.
9:30 Break (15 minutes)
9:45 Right on Crime - Center for Effective Justice, Texas Public Policy Foundation
With corrections costs one of the fastest growing items in state budgets and a burgeoning array of state laws addressing ordinary business activities that increasingly criminalize capitalism, there is a need for policymakers to enhance public safety, control costs, protect individual liberty, empower victims of crime and reform those offenders who are amenable to rehabilitation.
10:30 Idaho Education Reform Dale Buwalda, The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
Education will be a hot topic at the Legislature. The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice continues to lead the way for state level reform. If, as a state, we really want the best for our kids, then choice in education is the best alternative. Come listen to what options are available to parents and students.
11:15 Break for lunch
11:30 a.m.: Lunch: Speaker - Economic development/Crony capitalism: Randal O'Toole, Cato Institute
Randal O'Toole is a Cato Institute Senior Fellow working on urban growth, public land, and transportation issues. His analysis of urban land-use and transportation issues, has influenced decisions in cities across the country. O'Toole calls for repealing federal, state, and local planning laws and proposes reforms that can help solve social and environmental problems without heavy-handed government regulation. O'Toole's latest book is American Nightmare: How Government Undermines The Dream of Homeownership .
1:00 Sin and Online Sales Taxes Americans for Tax Reform
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has fought at the state and federal levels for a tax system that eliminates wasteful spending and a tax system that is fair for all. Among Idaho s tax discussion are sin * taxes and expanding the sales tax to include items purchased online.
1:45 The Federal Fault Line: Federal vs. State-Owned Lands Ken Ivory, president, American Lands Council
Rep. Ivory spearheaded the successful charge in Utah with legislation pushing for state control over federal lands. Ivory is now working with other states in the West on state land rights.
2:30 Break (15 minutes)
2:45 The Culture of Spending author Jim Payne
Idaho author Jim Payne discusses his book, The Culture of Spending: Why Congress Lives Beyond Our Means. * The discussion will be enlightening on federal and state spending.
3:15 Free Market Health Care Alternative Dr. Loel Fenwick
Dr. Fenwick, Coeur d Alene, spent his life delivering babies in the maternity ward, but now is busy delivering his ideas for bringing down health care costs for Gem State residents. Fenwick believes consumers need to be more involved in health care decisions.
3:45 Final words / wrap up Wayne Hoffman

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