2003 Annual Report available online

The Idaho Transportation Department's 2003 Annual Report, which captures the accomplishments of the past year and shares a vision for the future, is available to all department employees from the ITD Internet site.

"Transforming Transportation" includes messages from board chair Chuck Winder, department director Dave Ekern, and a review of major highway construction projects. It also includes information about the department's four emphasis areas (pavement condition, bridge improvement, congestion relief and safety), information about department funding, and a resource section with information about the transportation board and ITD's six districts.

Copies of the 32-page spiral-bound publication are available from the Public Affairs office, 334-8005. Captured as a PDF (portable document format) publication on the Internet, it also is available for downloading from the Public Affairs page on the Internet.

Idaho's place in digital world to be explored

Legislators, representatives of Idaho government and private enterprises will come together Monday for Digital Government Day 2004 on the fourth floor of the Capitol Rotunda. The event provides a unique opportunity to network with state and local agency representatives and an exploration of the many online services available to the citizens of Idaho, according to an announcement by Pam Ahrens, chair of the Information Technology Resource Management Council, which is part of the Department of Administration.

"Electronic government applications offer more efficient and cost-effective ways of serving citizens, businesses and employees," Ahrens said.

The ITRMC introduced the concept of a "Digital Government Day" in 2002. It immediately received positive responses by attendees and participants.

Booth participants include: Access Idaho, the Department of Administration (employee portal, Office of Administrative Rules, IDANET, Information Technology Resource Management Council, Information Technology Training Program, Division of Public Works and the Division of Purchasing), the Idaho Department of Education (K-12 education) and the State Board of Education (Business Professionals of America, and Career and Technical Educators of Idaho).

CEC committee Feb. 5 meeting

Bulletin: CEC committee endorses on 2+1 increase proposal The Change in Employee Compensation ( CEC) Committee met Thursday, Feb. 5, and voted on their recommendation for a salary increase for state employees. The following resolution was passed: A concurrent resolution providing funding for benefit cost increases, a permanent 2% salary increase for state employees, and a temporary 1% salary increase contingent upon revenues exceeding the current-year estimate by $5 million dollars.

The Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee met at the Idaho Capitol Thursday to consider several concurrent resolutions relating to compensation (salary) changes for state employees. Resolutions currently being considered are:

RS 13862: A concurrent resolution providing funding for benefit cost increases, and a permanent 2 percent salary increase for state employees;

RS 13860C2: A concurrent resolution providing funding for benefit cost increases, a permanent 2 percent salary increase for state employees, and a temporary 1 percent salary increase contingent upon revenues exceeding the current year estimate (surplus eliminator); and

RS 13861C2: A concurrent resolution providing funding for benefit cost increases, a permanent 2 percent salary increase for state employees, and a temporary 2 percent salary increase contingent upon revenues exceeding the current year estimate (surplus eliminator).

The CEC committee includes Senate Commerce & Human Resources Committee chair John Andreason, vice chair John Goedde, and seven other senators; House Commerce & Human Resources Committee chair Bob Schaefer, vice chair Shirley McKague and nine other representatives.

Donating the gift of life

ITD's Headquarters, along with districts 3 and 6 were among the organizations and businesses that met or surpassed their established blood donation quota in December, announced the American Red Cross. Employees at Headquarters have an opportunity to match the feat Thursday at the regular blood drive in the East Annex.

The American Red Cross reminds donors of a new policy that went into effect Jan. 26. It requires all donors to provide identification before rolling up their sleeve. A Red Cross donor card and ITD identification badge should suffice. The new policy helps ensure that donors are properly identified and match existing Red Cross records, that they are not disqualified from donating, enables Red Cross follow-up if necessary, and ensures that donors meet Red Cross requirements.