Senator John McGee

4th of July

John McGee — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:27:36 +0000

Hanna, Madalyn, and I spent the 4th of July weekend participating in parades in Caldwell,Greenleaf, and Wilder. It was humbling to see so much support. Thank you to all who came out

Caldwell Independence Day Parade

John McGee — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:58:09 +0000

If If you live in Canyon County, make sure to attend the Caldwell Independence Day Parade on Saturday at 10:00 AM. I’m pleased to be this year’s sponsor of the event.

Idaho Statesman Article

John McGee — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:04:30 +0000

Please visit the website below in regards to next Tuesday’s elections.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/13/1190640/three-term-senator-faces-an
ti.html

Idaho Statesman Endorses Senator McGee

John McGee — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:35:41 +0000

Please visit the site below to view the Idaho Statesman’s endorsement of Senator McGee.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/11/1187817/mcgee-and-bolz-are-the-clear-choices.html

Governor Otter Endorses Candidacy of Senator John McGee

John McGee — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:11:47 +0000

(Boise, March 31, 2010)

Governor Otter announced today his endorsement of the Idaho State Senate Candidacy of Senator John McGee. McGee represents District 10 which includes Caldwell, Greenleaf and Wilder.

“Senator John McGee has earned and deserves the unconditional endorsement and the support of every person who cherishes our Idaho values – - limited government, personal responsibility, and fiscal conservatism. For the great job he has done, he has certainly earned mine.”

McGee, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee is completing his third term of service in the Idaho State Senate and was Chairman of the Treasure Valley Transportation Task Force. During his first term, McGee successfully carried the largest transportation funding bill in Idaho history that is currently funding the improvements taking place on I-84. He also sits on the Agriculture and Health and Welfare Committees. McGee was elected by his peers to serve on the important Legislative Council and was named the 2006 Idaho State Republican Legislator of the Year. McGee was named a Council of State Governments Toll Fellow in 2007.

“There is no greater standard bearer of conservative values in Idaho than Governor Butch Otter,” said Senator McGee, “I’m pleased to receive the endorsement of our Governor.”
Senator McGee is active in his community as the Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Central Committee, the United Way of Treasure Valley and was a 2009 International Special Olympics Board Member. McGee is a member of the Caldwell Rotary Club. Senator McGee serves his alma mater, the College of Idaho, as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Senator McGee has received many awards from local and state organizations, including the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Agriculture Educators, the Idaho Agricultural All Star Award (2005-2009), the COMPASS Leadership in Motion Award, the 2009 Transportation Leader of the Year from Treasure Valley Women in Transportation, and the Friend of Community Healthcare Centers by the Idaho Primary Care Association.
A life-long resident of Caldwell, Senator McGee is a graduate of Vallivue High School and received a BA in History from the College of Idaho; he was elected student body president at both institutions. McGee and his wife, Hanna, live in Caldwell with their daughter, Madalyn.

GOVERNOR HAILS EFFICIENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION- NEWS RELEASE

John McGee — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:58:31 +0000

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter applauded Idaho’s citizen legislators today for the efficiency, sensitivity and civic virtue with which they conducted the 2010 session, which ended late Monday.
      “They have my thanks and my respect for the way they did the job of representing the people we all serve,” Governor Otter said. “Idahoans can be proud that their interests, their money and their rights were protected by these senators and representatives who come from every walk of life and from communities throughout our state. It was a great way to reopen this historic Capitol – reaffirming fundamental Idaho values.”
       As he outlined in January’s State of the State Address beginning the legislative session, those values were embodied in five principles he urged legislators to follow: 1) Don’t raise taxes, 2) Maintain some cash reserve, 3) Protect the educational opportunities and safeguard the potential of the next generation of Idahoans, 4) Protect the health, safety and well-being of our citizens – especially the neediest and most vulnerable among us, and 5) Avoid any duplication of effort or any waste of the taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.
      The Governor issued a list of 11 areas in which he and Legislature worked with a particular emphasis on collaboration this year, reflecting those fundamental principles and focused on the budget and on living within the means of Idaho taxpayers and employers:

1)      The Governor and Legislature worked together to live within the people’s means, by setting reasonable budgets that reflect our fiscal and economic realities and recognize the importance of maintaining a stable, predictable tax and regulatory structure to help us attract and retain career-track job opportunities.

2)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on securing the spending authority needed for the Idaho Education Network. This critical program will help equalize educational opportunities throughout our rural and vast state. We are asking for spending authority of a generous contribution from the Albertson Foundation – $6 million over two years. We will have 80 high schools hooked up by July 1, 2010 and need these funds to get 80 more completed over the next year. All of these efforts will result in more career opportunities for Idahoans.

3)      The Governor and Legislature worked together to create the Higher Education Stabilization Fund. It will be a useful and important tool to help stabilize funding for higher education, like the Public Education Stabilization Fund. More secure funding for Idaho’s higher education system ultimately will result in more stable career opportunities for Idahoans in the state’s institutions of higher education.

4)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on an enhanced tax credit for charitable contributions to particular State agencies. Finding additional revenue streams to fund these agencies will reduce the burden on the General Fund.

5)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on a plan for addressing Idaho’s “tax gap” through compliance staff enhancements based on quarterly “return-on-investment” accountability measures.

6)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on funding for the Correctional Alternative Placement Program (CAPP) facility, which will open in July 2010. Its goal is reducing costly crime and recidivism in our prison system. It will save Idaho taxpayers $29,000 per offender.

7)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on funding for the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP): $2.2 million in State funding to leverage on-the-ground projects this year, and to keep the committee committed to staying at the table and finding a long-term funding solution for CAMP.

8)      The Governor and Legislature worked together on the Idaho Health Freedom Act – protecting the rights of Idaho to choose their own healthcare plan without being forced by the federal government to buy health insurance – and on an appeal to Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to specifically ban such federal usurpation of states’ rights.

9)      The Governor and Legislature worked together to secure $12 million in GARVEE bonds, which would spur much-needed transportation projects and generate jobs statewide.

10) The Governor and the Legislature worked together to save General Fund resources by revamping operations at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The department now has business plans for each Idaho state park and has not closed any state parks as other states have done.

11) The Governor and Legislature worked together to find efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars in Idaho’s human services commissions. The Human Rights Commission will be supported by the Idaho Department of Labor. The Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be supported by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Vocational Rehabilitation. A cooperative agreement was created for the Idaho Commission on Aging to co-locate with the Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired. And lastly, the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and Council for the Developmentally Disabled are moving to State-owned buildings.

AARP Release

John McGee — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:27:59 +0000

FAMILY IS FOCUS OF BILL TO HELP DOCS GET UNSAFE DRIVERS OFF ROAD

AARP-Backed Bill Aids Families & Patients in Getting the Facts and Exploring Options with Doc Prior to Giving up the Keys

BOISE, Idaho – When to hang up the keys is one of the most difficult decisions facing older drivers and their families. Now, an Idaho law allowing doctors to contact the Idaho Department of Transportation to revoke a patient’s driver’s license is set to get revamped by legislation making it easier for patients and their families to get the facts and look at options before giving up the keys. The legislation, Senate Bill 1397, passed the Senate yesterday.

Pending House passage of the bill, the revamped law will help families and patients have conversations with the doctor to gain a better understanding of the concern, and consider options, such as driving during limited hours or changing medications, prior to a recommendation from the doctor to revoke a patient’s license.

“Driving is an independence issue for older Idahoans, and conversations about when it might be time to stop are very sensitive – this bill puts family at the center of the issue where they belong,” said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP Idaho. “AARP commends Senators John McGee, Darrell Kerby and Diane Bilyeu for their leadership and effort on this issue and for moving to make sure the patient always comes first in Idaho law.”

The bill also protects doctors from liability for making the recommendation to ITD to revoke a patient’s driver’s license when they are deemed physically or mentally unfit to drive. AARP is urging the House to pass the measure.

Healthcare Reform

John McGee — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:23:30 +0000

Last week in the Idaho State Senate, Governor Butch Otter is held a public signing ceremony for HB 391a, the “Idaho Health Care Freedom Act.” The bill prohibits the enforcement of any federal mandate for Idahoans or Idaho businesses to purchase health care, and requires the state Attorney General to go to court to fight any such requirement. This bill will protect the people of Idaho, which is one of our obligations as a government, and is the right thing to do. This is a sovereignty issue for the state of Idaho and will help reduce government interference in the citizens of Idaho’s lives. About 30 other states are considering similar measures.

HB 391is not simply a memorial to Congress or a simple resolution. As a State Legislature, we often send memorials to Congress or enact resolutions, but those have no force in law. The Idaho Health Freedom Act is completely different. This is now a law of the State of Idaho. Congress needs to know that a nationalized healthcare system is not in the best interest of the United States.

During Sunday’s vote in Congress, there were countless American’s protesting Washington’s efforts to regulate our healthcare system. The majority of Americans did not want to see this 2,309 page health care bill become law. As of Monday, 53 percent of Americans oppose this bill and only 43 percent support it. This should have been an eye-opener to Congress, and they should not have proceeded with the passage of the bill.

Update

John McGee — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:47:38 +0000

This week in the Idaho State Senate, we voted overwhelmingly 29-5 in favor of SB 1352, to add a clause to Idaho’s inattentive driving law banning texting while driving. As I have previously stated, this is a uniquely dangerous practice. According to the University of Utah, using a handheld device while driving slows down a driver’s reaction time as much as a blood-alcohol level of .08. Texting while driving multiplies your chances of getting in an accident by four times. As the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and the sponsor of this bill, I answered numerous questions from other senators. The definition in the bill is broad enough, that it covers reviewing or sending text messages.

I also have proposed legislation that would preclude Idahoans who are on active military duty from having to pay a $10 late fee for renewing their concealed weapons permit, once it has expired. I do not believe that our men and women in the armed forces should have to pay a penalty if they are unable to renew their permit because they are serving our country. This is a small way to honor the sacrifice of our men and women in the armed forces. The bill passed the Senate Friday.

This Week’s Updates

John McGee — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:22:24 +0000

This week in the Idaho State Legislature, the Senate passed legislation to expand the reach of Idaho’s voluntary child IRIS immunization reminder system by making it an “opt-out” for parents of newborns rather than requiring them to actively “opt-in”. My co-sponsor, Senate Health and Welfare Chairwoman Patti Anne Lodge, and I have received support from many health-related organizations including the Idaho Medical Association and the Idaho Hospital Association.

Currently, according to the Idaho Division of Health, a mere 57.6 percent of Idaho’s children have had their recommended immunizations. This statistic is not one to be proud of, especially when compared to the national average, which is 77.2 percent. Idaho’s immunization rates are so low that our rate for measles is lower than that of Indonesia, Pakistan or Croatia, and our rate for polio is below that of Botswana, Latvia and Sri Lanka. This legislation will help increase the percentage of children who have had their recommended immunizations.

Also this week, the Senate Education Committee voted unanimously in favor of HB 544, which would create a higher education stabilization fund, into which the state would deposit money in positive economic times to help out state colleges and universities during downturns like we are currently facing. Obviously, we can’t utilize such a fund at this time, but we hope to use this concept in the event of future downturns.