January 9, 2009

Legislature
2009 session to begin Monday with State of State/Budget address
Economics, budget and transportation. Three interrelated topics will be the focal point as legislators convene next week to set direction for Idaho state government in the coming year. Next week they will join counterparts in nearly every state in the country in addressing the economic downturn, declining tax revenue, rising unemployment and unprecedented infrastructure demands.
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Governor. selects Sen. Little to serve as lieutenant governor
Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed state Sen. Brad Little of Emmett to become Idaho’s new lieutenant governor today. The appointment was effective immediately but is subject to confirmation by the Idaho Senate. Little, who was elected in November to his fifth term in the Idaho Senate, succeeds Jim Risch, who resigned as lieutenant governor today after being elected to the United States Senate in November.
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Motor Vehicles
Two new special license plates now on sale
Two new special Idaho license plates, approved by the 2008 Legislature, went on sale statewide Jan. 2. Proceeds from sales of the special plates will benefit programs of the Natural Resources Education Outreach Network and the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission. The plates are available at county licensing offices throughout the state.
 
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Highways
Avalanche mitigation alleviates potential U.S. 12 hazards
U.S. Highway 12 between Lowell and Powell was reopened Wednesday afternoon following successful avalanche mitigation efforts in the narrow Lochsa River corridor near Lolo Pass. The only route between Lewiston and Missoula, Mont., closed Tuesday afternoon between mileposts 99 and 160 to allow ITD experts to assess the potential for avalanches and to try preemptive measures to control snow slides.
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Mobility
Online survey seeks public input for bicycle/pedestrian plan
ITD’s Division of Public Transportation has embarked on an initiative to create Idaho’s first statewide vision and mobility plan for bicycles and pedestrians. The Division of Public Transportation wants to identify the most preferred  approach to building a meaningful and viable bicycle and pedestrian environment throughout Idaho, based upon the needs and desires of each community.
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Employees
Highly successful people need to be motivated
If you don’t have the greatest track record in achieving your work-related goals, you may be suffering from a motivation deficiency. As in, you could be motivationally challenged. Inspiration-impaired. Short-changed in the motivation department.
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ITD Mailbox
• ITD efforts critical to search for children
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Submit your News/Views to Share

News to Share Making Short work of keeping highways clean Sharon Short is helping the state keep its highways clean. Short, a front desk worker at the regional Idaho Transportation Department office in Pocatello, spends most of her weekdays talking through a headset and answering phone calls, among other duties. Continue Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.

News to Share Uber's story The week of Nov. 3, the Downey/McCammon crew in District Five noticed a yelping sound coming from the south side of the maintenance yard.  They commented to each other that it must be a pack of coyote pups looking for their mom. Continue Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.

Views to Share Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.

Published previously

Reflecting
Transporter reviews major news of 2008
The Transporter travels back in time to look at major transportation-related news that affected the department and state in 2008. Stories that appeared in the online ITD newsletter are presented by month.

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

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Softball tournaments to resume this year
Based on the resounding success of two softball tournaments for state employees the past year, the Idaho Department of Lands is organizing two sequels for 2009 – a spring tournament on May 30 and a fall tournament on Sept. 5. The Saturday co-ed tournaments will consist of 2-4 games and will be scheduled for the Willow Lane  Athletic Complex in Boise.
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Highway safety
Cruise control, slick highways aren't compatible
Idaho drivers who use their vehicle’s cruise controls on snow- and ice-covered roads and highways add to the risk of wintertime travel, according to a veteran maintenance engineer with the Idaho Transportation Department.
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Readiness
National campaign emphasizes emergency readiness
With the new year approaching, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Ready Campaign is reminding Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2009. Resolve to be Ready is a nationwide effort designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies that could occur the new year.
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HRD training schedule
	Feb. 3-5	Introduction to Supervision
	Feb. 24-26	Intermediate Communication
	March 10-12	Basic Communication
	April 14, 15	Situational Leadership
	May 12, 13	Managing Performance
	June 9-11	Intermediate Communication
This schedule represents training classes available at Headquarters. For schedules at specific districts, please contact your EST or refer to the training calendar.

Transporter Archives

Employee Milestones

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