2016 North Idaho Legislative Tour

Description

OVERVIEW
The 2016 North Idaho Legislative Tour (NILT) will take place in Moscow and Lewiston on November 13-15, 2016. This is a biennial educational event to raise awareness of issues impacting economic development and public policy in North Idaho by bringing most of the Idaho Legislature to the northern region of the state after the November state-wide election.  We anticipate that a majority of the 105 newly elected legislators will attend along with a number of lobbyists, chamber CEOs, business executives and higher education representatives.
 
The people, businesses, higher education institutions, and natural resources of North Idaho will be showcased to members of the Idaho Legislature, executive officers and legislative advisors.
 
Tour Agenda
 
Sunday, November 13
A majority of legislators will fly into Spokane International Airport and be greeted by NILT Planning Committee members.  The legislators, lobbyists and guests will be transported by bus to North Idaho College where they will enjoy breakfast. Following breakfast we will depart for Moscow via Highway 95. Once arriving in Moscow, legislators will be encouraged to participate in the optional 2-hour “Explore Downtown Moscow” tour taking place in the afternoon. The Welcome Reception will begin at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30 and Party Caucuses begin at 8:20 p.m. All evening activities are at the Best Western University Inn.    

• NILT is providing transportation from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene and then to Moscow. For tour participants in the Moscow, Lewiston and surrounding areas, NILT is providing transportation on Sunday morning at 8am from the Best Western University Inn to Coeur d'Alene for the breakfast at North Idaho College and back to Moscow. Legislators are encouraged to utilize this convenience. It is an opportunity to connect with fellow legislators and constituents. Mileage will not be reimbursed for those choosing to drive themselves from Spokane or Coeur d’Alene to Moscow, or from Moscow, Lewiston and the surrounding areas to Coeur d'Alene and back to Moscow.  
• There will be an additional bus at the Spokane airport later Sunday morning or early afternoon to pick up individual tour participants and transport them to Moscow (via Pullman/Moscow).  The departure time has not been determined yet. 
• Wheatland Express has a daily airport shuttle at 2pm from the Spokane airport to the Best Western University Inn at Moscow. You must make a reservation online for this service at www.wheatlandexpress.com and click on airport express. The cost is $38 per person and legislators or lobbyists utilizing this service on Sunday may be reimbursed by submitting a receipt to the NILT following the tour. 

 
Monday, November 14
Be ready for a 6:30 a.m. start. Participants will start their day with coffee, juice and pastries before a 45-minute bus ride to Lewiston. Upon arrival at the Clearwater River Casino, breakfast will be served and there will be a presentation from the Nez Perce Tribe with time for Q & A. Participants will then hear from the Chief Executive Officer, Linda Massman of Clearwater Paper Corporation (CPC)and Jay Backus, Vice President of CPC Mill Operations and load buses to visit both CPC and Idaho Forest Group (IFG). After the tours participants will visit Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC), where they will hear from LCSC President Tony Fernandez and Lewiston Superintendent of Schools Bob Donaldson, and Chief Executive Officer (name) of IFG. Tour participants have the opportunity to choose from one of three tours of LCSC: (1) Nursing & Health Sciences Building, (2) Career Technical Education, or (3) Play a little baseball with the Avista NAIA World Series Champions, the LCSC Warriors! Then the group will wrap up the Tour of Lewiston with a visit to the Port of Lewiston, North America’s most inland seaport. Participants will be bused back to Moscow for free time prior to the 6 p.m. Governor’s Leadership Reception and Banquet at the University of Idaho. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the banquet.  

• Bus transportation will be available for tour participants on Monday and Tuesday. Mileage will not be reimbursed for those choosing to drive themselves during the tour when buses are available. 

Tuesday, November 15
The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a short bus ride to University of Idaho (UI) Kibbie Dome for breakfast. Participants will take in a walking tour of the UI Education Building, Integrated Research & Innovation Center (IRIC), and the Library. The latter part of the morning will be spent visiting Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI) and Gritman Medical Center. These tours will be followed by a drive-by of the Moscow/Pullman Regional Airport to see the progress on the expansion project. Our last visit of the day will be to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) for a presentation and lunch. The tour will conclude at 3 p.m. and the group will be transported back to Moscow, Coeur d’Alene or Spokane for return flights.