On Monday, we celebrated Idaho Day; I was lucky enough to have my niece visit me at the capitol! As the session enters the final weeks before "sine die" (adjournment), numerous bills that will grow government and increase spending are being pushed through the system. There are nearly 500 bills under consideration. You can review all the legislation that has been given a bill number here.
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Listed below are some of the hot topics being discussed at the capitol. I want to represent what the people of rural Idaho and District 7 think, not the special interests of the Treasure Valley. Take a minute and email me your thoughts on these issues.
Teacher Campus Carry: HB203 allows Idahoans who have an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry on school campuses. It will also keep teachers from being punished by school districts for carrying concealed firearms. After this bill became public, I immediately received negative emails from bill opponents who claim it will increase the number of school shootings. Pro-gun advocates argue that fewer shootings happen when teachers have the ability to protect themselves. Do you think having guns on campus will increase or decrease school shootings?
Taxing District to Subsidize County Fairs: HB241 would allow counties to pass referendums to increase property taxes by .1% to generate new funds to pay for their county fair. The bill's sponsor hopes it will allow counties to offer free entry. In committee, I asked about other options to fund fairs, or to allow them to close down instead of raising taxes. Bill proponents are afraid that if fairs cease to operate, 4H and FFA participation will plummet, and our children's "go-on to college" rates will drop. Is supporting county fairs worth increasing your property taxes?
Increasing Requirements for Referendums/Initiatives: S1159 could increase voter involvement, as proponents of initiatives and referendums would be required to secure signatures from 10% of registered voters in 32 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts. It would also require initiatives and referendums to follow a single subject rule, include fiscal impact statements, and propose funding sources. These new guidelines are intended to help rural voters resist the whims of urban areas; they also make the process more burdensome for voters. Do you think this is a good idea?
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* 1.15 billion board feet of timber were harvested in 2018.
* 44 million Americans have student debt.
* 100 million bushels of wheat were harvest in Idaho in 2018.
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529 College Savings Plans are state-offered, tax-advantaged investment plans to help families save for higher education and lower reliance on student loans. An IDeal 529 account can be opened with $25 and savings grow free of federal and state income tax. For more information about the Idaho College Savings Program visit their website. |
+ GOOD: On Thursday, SJR102 failed to pass the senate by one vote. This was a huge victory for engaged voters who actively shared their concerns with legislators. SJR102 was the second version of the Marsy's law initiative. The first version passed the senate by 3 votes. Marsy's Law is done for this session. It has failed in the Idaho legislature 3 years in a row.
- BAD: HB 251 was introduced in a last minute committee session; it is meant to change the section of code that lets the State Treasurer store money in the Historic Capitol vault. This would remove the Treasurer's office's statutory authority to maintain a office in the capitol and force her to move. This would provide more office space for some House legislators, but cost tax payers millions of dollars of unnecessary expenses.
--UGLY: An Idaho Attorney General opinion stated that in Idaho, a city would not violate a person's freedom of religion by mandating vaccinations. (There are many new Americans moving into Idaho who claim religious objections to vaccines because the ingredients are produced with animal and human tissue). Part of the opinion was based on a 1905 Supreme Court ruling that stated vaccination is "for the protection of the public health and the public safety." Maybe this means people who want to exercise their 1st Amendment rights here in Idaho need to move out of the city.
(Let me know if you want a copy of his opinion.)
We all know that money has influence; even more so in state government. During session I will track the money and keep you informed about budget concerns. This week:
$ I voted against the Public School Children’s Programs budget which includes $13.2 million more for literacy, which doubles the amount currently appropriated for literacy to $26.4 million. Even with a $13.2 million dollar budget, only 52% of third graders are reading at grade level. Additionally, 76% of this budget comes from federal funds, which requires the state to adhere to federal guidelines. Doing more of the same will not help our children learn to read.
$ The Idaho Secretary of State's Office requested a one time 50.7% increase in its budget because they forgot to budget $2 million to reimburse counties for the upcoming 2020 primary election. Don't worry counties, they pulled money out of the General Fund (where we get money for roads and schools) to fill the gap.
$ As of this week, total FY19 revenue collections are $74.7 million below forecast; through February, General Fund revenue collections are $215.4 million below FY18 revenue. Quite an enigmatic situation if you consider the number of new residents flooding our great state.
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