Keough encouraged by legislative session

The Idaho Legislative Session is in full swing, and Shawn Keough, Idaho State Senator for Legislative District One covering Bonner and Boundary County, said, despite what some may believe, work is is getting done.

“We are in week three of the session, and most of our work is on rules review and hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget” Keough said.

First elected in 1996, Senator Keough is serving her ninth term. Senator Keough serves on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Her legislative priorities have been education, transportation and issues that help rural Idaho.

“As the newly appointed chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and the first from the far north since at least 1930 and maybe longer, being in this role gives our area great influence on state funding for items like our K-12 schools, Keough told the Herald. “I support increasing state funding for our schools which may relieve the need for increased property taxes at the local level.”

Other issues affecting this portion of the state being addressed include transportation, and the recently-opend Northern Idaho Crisis Center, which opened in Coeur d’ Alene in early December. As for transportation in northern Idaho, Keough said in a press release she’s excited with what she’s seen so far in the 2016 session.

“I have exciting news on the transportation front,” Keough said in the release. “Which is one of the biggest issues that affects our part of the state. As the Chairman of the Senate Finance committee, I voted to approve new transportation funds for U.S. 95, Smith Creek to Sheep Creek and U.S. 2 Bridge-Deck Life Extensions. The much-needed work on Highway 41 plus the work on the bridges are in our area. New funds are also flowing to our locals - cities, counties and highway districts - allowing them to start catching up on maintenance backlogs. This is just the first round of increased work being done on our roads and bridges as a result of the revenue increases we put into place last year. 

“Even with the increase, however, we still have over $150 million a year in maintenance and repair backlogs and another $ 250 million-plus a year in actual new construction needs. “Nevertheless, this is a good step.”

The senator was just as encouraged by the opening of the Northern Idaho Crisis Center, which will serve those in need in Bonner and Boundary Counties.

“I was heartened to hear the report given to the Finance Committee by the Department of Health and Welfare about the Northern Idaho Crisis Center,” Keough said. 

“They told us that in December alone, 66 patients have been served. This effort is changing lives and saving taxpayer dollars at the same time. I support the Crisis Centers and the evidence shows they work.”

Legislative sessions at times have a tendency to become contentious. Keough said when things begin to go sideways at the capitol, she keeps in mind those who she’s been representing since 1996.

“Focusing on constituent communication and reading our local newspapers helps keep me focused on why the people elected me to represent them,” she told the Herald. 

“There are several priorities people at home have said are important including school funding and funding of road projects.”

For those wishing to express their opinions or ask questions, Keough can be reached through her website at shawnkeough.com or you can send her an email message at skeough@senate.idaho.gov.