Comments for Senator John McGee http://www.johnmcgee.org Updates from the Senator of District 10 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:11:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Healthcare Reform by Robin Zink http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=187&cpage=1#comment-158 Robin Zink Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:11:45 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=187#comment-158 I am proud of our state's lawmakers for taking this action! I am proud of our state’s lawmakers for taking this action!

]]> Comment on Idaho Children and Nature Network by Brenda http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=138&cpage=1#comment-127 Brenda Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:49:33 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=138#comment-127 Thank you for your support of getting Idaho families outdoors! It's so important for kids mental, physical and emotional health to connect with nature, from backyards to mountaintops. We live in a state full of amazing natural areas, and it would be a shame for the next generation to never get a chance to connect with it. So again, thank you for your support, and Be Outside! Thank you for your support of getting Idaho families outdoors! It’s so important for kids mental, physical and emotional health to connect with nature, from backyards to mountaintops. We live in a state full of amazing natural areas, and it would be a shame for the next generation to never get a chance to connect with it.

So again, thank you for your support, and Be Outside!

]]> Comment on Senate Bill 1352 by Johnny Banana http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=173&cpage=1#comment-123 Johnny Banana Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:59:48 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=173#comment-123 I agree with the first comment. We do need legislation or enforcement of the current inattentive law to include using a cell phone while driving. If it rings, pull over and then answer the call. I agree with the first comment. We do need legislation or enforcement of the current inattentive law to include using a cell phone while driving. If it rings, pull over and then answer the call.

]]> Comment on Immunization Bill by Craig Fisher http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=159&cpage=1#comment-97 Craig Fisher Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:06:29 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=159#comment-97 I remember being immunized for polio and various other childhood diseases while attending elementary school. Idaho apparently had funding back in the 50's and 60's to provide the necessary immunizations at that time. I don't know if it was sponsored after Salk found a cure for polio or not, but I'm relatively sure that was what started immunizations in schools. Perhaps they were funded by the Fed's at that point in time. In order to have a thorough children in Idaho immunization program it either has to be mandated by the state that before children in this state can attend public schools, various immunizations must be given. Those parents that are not willing to immunize their children can either private or home school them so other children aren't exposed. I remember being immunized for polio and various other childhood diseases while attending elementary school. Idaho apparently had funding back in the 50’s and 60’s to provide the necessary immunizations at that time. I don’t know if it was sponsored after Salk found a cure for polio or not, but I’m relatively sure that was what started immunizations in schools. Perhaps they were funded by the Fed’s at that point in time. In order to have a thorough children in Idaho immunization program it either has to be mandated by the state that before children in this state can attend public schools, various immunizations must be given. Those parents that are not willing to immunize their children can either private or home school them so other children aren’t exposed.

]]> Comment on Senate Bill 1352 by Craig Fisher http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=173&cpage=1#comment-96 Craig Fisher Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:52:50 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=173#comment-96 I am very enthused to see this bill get through. I will be really thrilled to see it signed by the Governor. This legislation is long over-due. Next, a bill to forbid cell phone usage while driving needs to be passed. Especially for dense or in-city traffic. I do not find it a problem to tell a caller to hold while I pull over, out of traffic, and converse. With all of the technical knowledge available for cell phone users, such as Blu-Tooth, I see no need for a person to be holding their cell phone while driving. I find, from personal experiences while driving, people talking on their cell phones while driving are not attentive drivers. They delay traffic and cause accidents and near misses. We really need to address a bill to correct this problem like other states have done. I am very enthused to see this bill get through. I will be really thrilled to see it signed by the Governor. This legislation is long over-due. Next, a bill to forbid cell phone usage while driving needs to be passed. Especially for dense or in-city traffic. I do not find it a problem to tell a caller to hold while I pull over, out of traffic, and converse. With all of the technical knowledge available for cell phone users, such as Blu-Tooth, I see no need for a person to be holding their cell phone while driving. I find, from personal experiences while driving, people talking on their cell phones while driving are not attentive drivers. They delay traffic and cause accidents and near misses. We really need to address a bill to correct this problem like other states have done.

]]> Comment on Current Legislation by Marsha Ogilvie http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30&cpage=1#comment-78 Marsha Ogilvie Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:50:03 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30#comment-78 I was very encouraged to see that SB 1352 passed in the senate transportation committee with no opposition. In regard to the dangers of cell phone use while driving, certainly texting is at the top of the list. Should this eventually become an amendment to Idaho's inattentive driving law, it will be a positve first step in addressing this unsafe activity. However, the numerous scientific studies that have been completed in recent years clearly indicate the dangers posed by all cell phone use while driving - whether hands-free or not. Please continue to pursue this issue in order to make Idaho's roadways as safe as possible and to force car makers and cell phone companies to produce technological answers to this very serious threat to public safety. I was very encouraged to see that SB 1352 passed in the senate transportation committee with no opposition. In regard to the dangers of cell phone use while driving, certainly texting is at the top of the list. Should this eventually become an amendment to Idaho’s inattentive driving law, it will be a positve first step in addressing this unsafe activity. However, the numerous scientific studies that have been completed in recent years clearly indicate the dangers posed by all cell phone use while driving – whether hands-free or not. Please continue to pursue this issue in order to make Idaho’s roadways as safe as possible and to force car makers and cell phone companies to produce technological answers to this very serious threat to public safety.

]]> Comment on Text Messaging While Driving by Steve Curl http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=146&cpage=1#comment-43 Steve Curl Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:01:46 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=146#comment-43 I commend you on this legislation, it is time, texting along with other distractions I have seen as a truck driver, ie putting on make up, eating cereral from a bowl, reading the paper. I see truckers with a cell phone on there shoulder, trying to drive and shift at the same time, very bad. Bicycles: This is a pet peave with truckers especially, cycles on the road way, especially narrow scenic roads like the Hwy 12. Driving around a corner at 55mph and coming up behind a bicycle is terrribly dangerous, they might as well ride down the center of the road because you can not pass safeley with out crossing the center line. And they will not pull out of the way when there is a turn out. And they will not use the bike path, they would rather ride along side a bike path putting them selfs between a guard rail and traffic. In my veiw, if we make bikes pathes they should have to use them. New rules have to be established. All motor vehicle accidents with bicycles are not caused by inatentive driving but rather rude cyclist not cycling in the safest route available and expecting motor vehicles to deal with them by going around and into on coming traffic causing head on collisions. Pedestrians are even worse, they think anytime they step off a curb anywhere it becomes a cross walk and these kids some don't even look before they leap. We need some education and public awareness campaigns. Sincerely SCurl I commend you on this legislation, it is time, texting along with other distractions I have seen as a truck driver, ie putting on make up, eating cereral from a bowl, reading the paper. I see truckers with a cell phone on there shoulder, trying to drive and shift at the same time, very bad.
Bicycles: This is a pet peave with truckers especially, cycles on the road way, especially narrow scenic roads like the Hwy 12.
Driving around a corner at 55mph and coming up behind a bicycle is terrribly dangerous, they might as well ride down the center of the road because you can not pass safeley with out crossing the center line. And they will not pull out of the way when there is a turn out. And they will not use the bike path, they would rather ride along side a bike path putting them selfs between a guard rail and traffic. In my veiw, if we make bikes pathes they should have to use them. New rules have to be established. All motor vehicle accidents with bicycles are not caused by inatentive driving but rather rude cyclist not cycling in the safest route available and expecting motor vehicles to deal with them by going around and into on coming traffic causing head on collisions. Pedestrians are even worse, they think anytime they step off a curb anywhere it becomes a cross walk and these kids some don’t even look before they leap. We need some education and public awareness campaigns.
Sincerely SCurl

]]> Comment on Current Legislation by Chris Sumner http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30&cpage=1#comment-24 Chris Sumner Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:30:04 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30#comment-24 Dear Sen. McGee, I'm a senior at Centennial High School and I'm doing my senior project on the texting while driving policy. I was wondering if you could give me more specific information on the bill you are sponsoring and presenting and/or any other helpful information on your thoughts about the policy. Hopefully everyone can see the importance of this bill and pass it. Tragedies because of this problem are ever increasing and I hope this legislation gets passed. The fact there are several other states that already have this ban in effect should help, but I was after more personal thoughts you might have on the issue and anyone else in the committee. I appreciate your stand on the issue in putting an end to it and I hope that all goes well. Good luck. Dear Sen. McGee,
I’m a senior at Centennial High School and I’m doing my senior project on the texting while driving policy. I was wondering if you could give me more specific information on the bill you are sponsoring and presenting and/or any other helpful information on your thoughts about the policy. Hopefully everyone can see the importance of this bill and pass it. Tragedies because of this problem are ever increasing and I hope this legislation gets passed. The fact there are several other states that already have this ban in effect should help, but I was after more personal thoughts you might have on the issue and anyone else in the committee. I appreciate your stand on the issue in putting an end to it and I hope that all goes well. Good luck.

]]> Comment on This Week in The Idaho Legislature by David Clark http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=116&cpage=1#comment-12 David Clark Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:51:46 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?p=116#comment-12 Looks like you are on track! I appreciate someone putting forward a bill similar to 1271. Something needs to be done about illegal workers. Kudos on the budget as well. I like how Tom is cutting non-essential services like drivers ed. Looks like you are on track! I appreciate someone putting forward a bill similar to 1271. Something needs to be done about illegal workers. Kudos on the budget as well. I like how Tom is cutting non-essential services like drivers ed.

]]> Comment on Current Legislation by Michelle Wonacott http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30&cpage=1#comment-7 Michelle Wonacott Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:50:08 +0000 http://www.johnmcgee.org/?page_id=30#comment-7 Thank you for sponsoring this important legislation. It cannot be passed soon enough! There should be serious penalties for those who text while driving, not just a small fine, or people will continue to engage in this dangerous activity. Studies have shown that someone who is texting while driving is more impaired than a drunk driver! This information should be part of any drivers education course if we are serious about curtailing this activity. Let's hope it does not take a tragedy for this legislation to pass. Thank you for sponsoring this important legislation. It cannot be passed soon enough! There should be serious penalties for those who text while driving, not just a small fine, or people will continue to engage in this dangerous activity. Studies have shown that someone who is texting while driving is more impaired than a drunk driver! This information should be part of any drivers education course if we are serious about curtailing this activity. Let’s hope it does not take a tragedy for this legislation to pass.

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