MEDICAID UPDATE
All Medicaid funding has been restored and kept whole for this fiscal year, but there is still no long-term funding mechanism for Medicaid Expansion, which is a concern and is needed. Unfortunately, last week the House voted down HB 209, which aimed to create a Medicaid Stabilization Fund. Each year, and especially this past year, with the increase in Federal funds due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Medicaid reverts unspent money from their budget back to the General Fund. This year there is an expected surplus of $65 Million in state funds that were previously budgeted for Medicaid. Because of the increased federal funding, those funds will revert back to the general fund for use anywhere. HB209 would have specified that those funds, which were apportioned for Medicaid but not spent in the present year be put into a special account specifically for Medicaid's use in future years. With the increased cost of Medicaid Expansion and general Medicaid, this stabilization account would have been a great first step to long-term funding for any increases in Medicaid expenses and confirm that money budgeted for Medicaid will be used for Medicaid.
DRIVING AUTHORIZATION CARD INTRODUCED
An Idaho Republican’s bill that would issue driving privileges to all Idahoans, regardless of immigration status, or any Idahoan who doesn’t want the federal Star Card — is back at the Legislature and being introduced this session. “These limited requirements will help more people get the legal ability to drive, providing the potential to reduce burdens on the criminal justice system and reduce costs of judicial and law enforcement administration,” Sen. Jim Guthrie’s office said in a press release; Guthrie is sponsoring SB1132.
Fourteen states have already done this. Utah and New Mexico saw drops in state rates of uninsured drivers, traffic fatalities and alcohol-related crashes after the implementation of similar programs, according to a Colorado fiscal study cited by the bill’s proponents.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE THE FOCUS
Democratic leadership held a virtual news conference Wednesday and discussed the need to “put people over power plays,” emphasizing the urgency to move away from bills that grab more power for the legislature and instead use the remaining time in the session to address education, property taxes and infrastructure. Read more about it here.
TAX CUT CONSEQUENCES
The Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy estimates that, if H199 passes, Idaho households with incomes up to $66,000 a year would see an average decrease in their tax liability in the range of $30-$92, depending on their exact circumstances. The top 1% – those with incomes of $482,000 and above – would see a $4,573 tax cut, on average. The impact on state tax revenues would be anywhere from $240 million to $270 million. You can read their full report here.
WRONGFUL CONVICTION ACT PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS
The House passed the Wrongful Conviction Act, Senate Bill 1027, to provide compensation to people who are wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Idaho. A similar version was passed last year and then later vetoed by Gov. Brad Little. Governor Little has scheduled a signing of SB1027 for this Friday, March 5th. All Democrats voted in favor.
HEMP
The House Agricultural Affairs Committee chose to delay a vote on House Bill 126, an industrial hemp legalization bill, until committee members can collect more information. It was delayed until Tuesday, March 2nd as members were concerned with the Idaho State Police’s concerns as in the past. It since has been communicated the ISP are neutral at this time. The goal of the legislation is to give Idaho farmers the opportunity to grow the crop. Industrial hemp is legal in 49 states and at the federal level.
HOUSE HAPPENINGS
The House Health and Welfare Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1060, which was endorsed by all seven of Idaho’s public health districts. It would require county commissioners to pass a resolution within seven days to either accept or reject any county-wide health order for their county before it can take effect in that county.
Federal COVID-19 relief funds, which provide $24 million in assistance to childcare providers in Idaho amid the pandemic, passed on a 40-30 vote.
The House voted 35-33 in favor of Gov. Brad Little’s proposed $3 million one-time boost to Idaho state park facilities as part of his “Building Idaho’s Future” initiative in House Bill 204.
SENATE HAPPENINGS
The Senate voted unanimously, 34-0, to pass House Bill 176, authorizing the spending of $175 million in rental assistance, which Idaho was awarded by the COVID-19 relief bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on Dec. 27.
The Senate killed Senate Bill 1109, with Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin casting a vote due to a tie. The bill would’ve created the Idaho Promise mentorship program, which was designed to support high school graduates seeking an apprenticeship, professional certificate or associate degree. The goal was to address the so-called “summer melt,” which causes some 4,000 high school graduates to abandon their educational plans each year.
UPDATE FROM NED BURNS - OUR SUBSTITUTE EARLIER THIS SESSION
We both want to thank Ned Burns for subbing for each of us earlier this session when we each had issues that caused us to miss a few days at the Legislature. We asked Ned to write up a little about his experience substituting at the Legislature. Here are his reflections:
This was the second year in a row that I have been asked to serve the constituents of District 26 and while it was quite intimidating last year, this year I approached it with quite a bit more understanding of the process
After being sworn in by the Speaker, which is a heavy moment, because you’re swearing to uphold the Constitutions of both the United States and Idaho, you receive a nametag and a security card that gets you into almost every door in the Capitol and you are officially a lawmaker. You sit on committee hearings, can ask questions, make motions, and debate for and against any item that passes across the committee desks. Since things are a little different this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, there are many more Zoom meetings and phone calls, as opposed to luncheons and cocktail hours so that constituent groups can get time to explain their positions on particular issues.
When the voting happens, there is often vigorous debate for and against bills. Representatives try to sway their colleagues for a yes or a no on the bill. You hear impassioned speeches, which truly drives home that this is the foundation of our democracy. Garner enough support, and you just helped make a law, or on the flipside, if you debate well enough you can also kill a bad piece of legislation.
I have had a remarkable time serving in the legislature for our Reps, and it has definitely made me consider a run of my own when the timing is right. In the meantime, I will continue to serve as a substitute when asked.
