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Coming Up:

Thursday, February 19

I will attend a meeting with Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, 8:20 a.m., Gowen Field, Boise.
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Getting back in the saddle 

Governor Otter meeting with the House pages following his recovery.

After a successful surgery to replace my left hip, I'm feeling better than ever and ready to get back to work. My recovery has been successful and I consider myself fully recuperated. Miss Lori and the doctors have taken great care of me and I'm ready to start catching up with the legislators who have been working hard for six weeks now! Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated and I look forward to seeing you all real soon.

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Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Day

 

First Lady Lori Otter and Carson Magee

I appreciate the First Lady for standing in for me on February 9th at an important occasion - the signing of a proclamation at the Capitol celebrating Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Day. I missed seeing my good friend Carson Magee, who has Type 1 Diabetes and is about the best advocate around for helping to inform the public about this disease. It affects more than 3 million Americans every year in the United States and has no cure. But young Carson doesn't let his Type 1 Diabetes slow him down as he works tirelessly to promote awareness everywhere he goes. Thank you, Carson, for helping spread awareness about Type 1 Diabetes. And thank you to Miss Lori and everyone who came out to join them in the Capitol Rotunda to support this important cause.

 

Read the Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Day Proclamation 

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Ronald Reagan Day


I celebrated the legacy of one of my personal heroes on Friday, February 6th by signing a proclamation for Ronald Reagan Day in Idaho. It's an honor to formally recognize such a great American who devoted his life to serving our nation and our citizens. Whether it was his instrumental role in ending the Cold War and bringing an end to the Soviet Union, helping to rejuvenate America's troubled economy or lifting America's spirits with his wisdom, character, good cheer and unquenchable hope for a better future for our country and our people, Ronald Reagan was a man worthy of our admiration and respect.

 

Read the Ronald Reagan Day Proclamation 

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Thank Melissa Hunt Day and Thank you Paul Jackson

You may recall that a few months back my newsletter profiled Blackfoot teacher Melissa Hunt. She was competing for $100,000 to help transform her school - Stoddard Elementary - into a state-of-the-art learning environment. To commemorate her success I declared February 12th of this year to be "Thank Teacher Melissa Hunt Day" throughout Idaho. But Melissa isn't the only hero of this story. Paul Jackson - Idaho government and industry affairs manager for Farmers Insurance - will be retiring from the company this month. Miss Lori and I want to thank Paul, celebrate his many years of hard work and celebrate his friendship. Paul, enjoy your well-earned rest and relaxation in retirement!

Paul Jackson (Left) and Melissa Hunt (Right)

Read the Thank Melissa Hunt Day Proclamation 

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Idaho Day is March 4th

 

This year will mark the first celebration of Idaho Day - an annual celebration of Idaho's history, culture and identity that will be celebrated on March 4th at the Capitol in Boise. Representative Linden Bateman and the Idaho Historical Society have been working very hard for the past few months to make sure that this first celebration sets a high bar for each Idaho Day to come! Come join us at the Capitol on March 4th for programs in the Idaho Senate and Idaho House along with performances in the Lincoln Auditorium. I'll be reading an official proclamation at noon in the Lincoln Auditorium. The Historical Society also will be hosting a twitter competition for the best Idaho Day "selfie," so don't forget to take a photo that shows what Idaho means to you. Just use #myidaho to share it with us for Idaho Day!

 

Visit the Idaho Day website for more information 

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Spotlight Agency:
Idaho State Tax Commission 

 

The Idaho State Tax Commission is making it easier for taxpayers and tax preparers to do business with the agency online. The Tax Commission's improved Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) is free to use, secure, and includes a multitude of features, such as:

 

E-file and E-pay:

  • E-file returns (sales/use, income tax withholding, IFTA, travel & convention, Greater Boise Auditorium District, E911)
  • Upload W-2s and 1099s (for employers or tax preparers/filing services)
  • Make ACH Debit and credit card payments (ACH Debit is a free service)

Account Maintenance:

  • View your account and filing history
  • Update account names and addresses (available by early March)

Bonus Features:

  • Renew an IFTA license and order more IFTA decals
  • Verify the following permits: seller's, cigarette, tobacco
  • Request a payment agreement (available by early March)
  • View certain letters from the Tax Commission, including your 1099-G (available by early March)
  • Apply for an IFTA license (available by early March)

Registering in TAP

If you're using TAP for the first time, you need to register your account. You can register at: www.idahotap.gentax.com/tap.

 

 

 

TAP replaces Access Idaho as the portal to e-file returns. For more information about TAP, visit www.tax.idaho.gov/tap, call (800) 972-7660, or contact the Tax Commission.

 

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Recent Appointments:

 

Aeronautics Advisory Board

Rodger Sorensen - Soda Springs 

 

Bingo-Raffle Advisory Board

Wendy Lively - Ammon

Shane Gehring - Nampa

 

Board of Chiropractic Physicians

Dr. John Downey - Caldwell

 

Commission on Pardons and Parole

Lisa Bostaph - Boise

 

Council on Suicide Prevention

Fred Martin - Boise 

 

Director, Department of Commerce

Jeffery Sayer - Eagle 

 

Director, Department of Labor

Ken Edmunds - Twin Falls 

 

Director, DEQ

Curt Fransen - Garden City 

 

Director, Military Division

Gen. Gary Sayler - Kuna 

 

Electronic Recording Commission

Abbie Mace - St. Anthony

Betty Dressen - Fruitland 

 

Idaho Travel Council

Rick Shaffer - Wallace 

 

Idaho Water Resource Board

Dale Van Stone - Hope  

 

Idaho State Tax Commission

Senator Elliot Werk - Boise 

 

Int. Director, Dept, of Insurance

Tom Donavan - Boise  

 

NW Power & Conservation Council

Jim Yost - Meridian 

 

Perm. Building Fund Advisory Cncl.  

 John Tippets - Montpelier 

 Stephen Hartgen - Twin Falls 

 

State Board of Correction

 Debbie Field - Meridian