Declarations

Buckle Up

“There is an obvious correlation between safety belt use and the fatality rate.”

—Illinois State Police Director Larry G. Trent comments on the announcement on July 15 that the number of motorists and front seat passengers who buckle up in the state edged upwards and exceeded 90 percent for the second straight year. In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Division of Traffic Safety reports the overall number of fatalities on Illinois roads is down by 19 percent on a provisional basis for the first six months of 2008; from 598 in 2007 to 484 in 2008. Add to that fact the number of teen fatalities is sharply lower in 2008, with 39 teen fatalities reported in the first six months of 2008 provisionally, compared to 82 in the first six months of 2007 — a drop of 52 percent.

Tax Relief

“Some of the places were really destroyed or devastated, maybe we ought not to make them pay any taxes this year. … Maybe we should give them a year off from paying taxes.”

—Iowa State Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, a floor leader in his Chamber comments on a tax relief plan for residents of Iowa that were affected by flooding in June and July. Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, suggested that the sales tax be suspended for the rest of the year to make it easier for residents to purchase materials needed for flood repair. Wieck said because victims will be purchasing heavily to repair flood damage, sales tax collections are likely to spike and the state shouldn’t benefit from the disaster. No price tag had been set for the suspension, Wieck said, adding that staff were working on it. Wieck said his plan would apply to counties declared disasters. At this writing, no decision has been made.

Legislative Watchdog

“The legislature is the watchdog for all state spending, and obviously it’s been made clear that there is not consistency throughout state government.”

—North Dakota State Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, the House majority leader, voices his concerns that the state legislature has not been vigilant regarding state agency spending. Sandy Blunt, the former director of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation agency, is awaiting arraignment on two felony charges alleging he misspent Workforce Safety and Insurance funds on employee bonuses and gifts for agency workers, including flowers, cards, balloons, restaurant gift certificates, car washes and movie passes. A judge initially dismissed the charges, but the North Dakota Supreme Court reinstated them last month. Now many legislators are calling for new oversight.