GOP trio will seek re-election

COEUR d'ALENE - The team of Hammond, Nonini and Henderson "followed their traditional plan of action" and jointly announced they will seek re-election.

Bob Nonini and Frank Henderson have served in the House of Representatives for three terms and Jim Hammond in the Senate for two terms. All three are Republicans.

"The economy is the immediate challenge," said a press release, "but we are confident by continuing to work together with community leaders and members of the public that we can initiate the economic recovery that will serve us all. We are hopeful voters will give us the opportunity again to work as a legislative team."

Hammond and Henderson are both on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee while Nonini is chairman of the House Education Committee.

In addition, Hammond is vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and Henderson is vice chairman of the House Business Committee.

Nonini also serves on the House Transportation

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Committee, Hammond on the Senate Health and Welfare and Henderson on the House Local Government Committee.

"Our goals are to start rebuilding funding to education to the proper level and to enact policy and program changes that will create job growth and spur economic recovery," the press release said. "These goals are directly related. We can not achieve one without the other. Our individual legislative roles place us in a perfect position to be influential while working as a team provides a unique opportunity to be effective. We will continue to use this strategy for the benefit of the public of the Fifth Legislative District."

Two years ago, Nonini helped lead the effort to fund K-12 education to a record annual level of $1.4 billion while Hammond and Henderson enabled the program by gaining approval of the appropriations committee.

Hammond and Henderson have also used their influence to increase funding to community colleges for professional-technical education and workforce training programs.

"Improvements on U.S. 95 are also a result of their efforts," the release said. "Construction from Worley to Setters will be complete this spring allowing four-lane travel on a previously difficult, dangerous stretch of highway."

North of Coeur d'Alene, the three-mile section of two-lane travel on U.S. 95 will be expended to four lanes and a traffic light will be installed at the Lancaster Road intersection.

Funding is in place and construction is planned to start in mid-April. Further north, $26 million has been appropriated for improvements on 95 beginning at Highway 53.

Other accomplishments of the Fifth District legislative team include acquisition of Cabela's to the area, enactment of a program to protect the Rathdrum aquifer and another to retain Idaho jurisdiction over Idaho water.