This week in Boise, I was happy to have the Oneida County elected officials in the Capitol.  Each year they do an excellent job representing our community advocating on matters important to local government and rural communities.  We were able to coordinate time with other District 27 County officials from Minidoka and Cassia Counties.  We are fortunate that the counties in our district share a common agricultural heritage, economy, and set of goals. 

In particular, we discussed ways that we can preserve our water resources and prevent the continuing urban growth in other places in Idaho from negatively impacting our irrigation and stock water needs.  I am currently working on a piece of legislation with the Idaho Water Users Association that will create more accountability for domestic water usage outside of municipal areas.  This new focus on water use accountability will help Idaho manage our aquifer health and maintain a healthy agriculture economy for generations to come. 

I am also working this week on legislation to protect our military veterans.  In recent years, unscrupulous companies and fraudster ‘consultants’ have preyed on these veterans offering to ‘help’ them obtain their military and/or disability benefits.  They first get the veterans to sign one-sided contracts and then, once the veteran benefits are granted, the ‘consultant’ walks away with most of the payments.  We will outlaw this terrible practice in Idaho this year. 

Finally, I continue to work on more tax relief.  Income tax, property tax, and grocery sales tax relief are my priorities.  More money in the hands of Idaho families is better than in the Idaho government’s budget.

Very Truly Yours,

Senator Kelly Anthon

District 27