IDAHO LEGISLATURE- NO END IN SIGHT!
The Legislature is constitutionally obligated to balance the state budget annually. We just completed week 8 and the Governor has only received 15 bills and both House and Senate have passed 23 bills, half of usual. By comparison, last year the Legislature finished its work by the third week of March. Instead, the House killed budgets this week, and the Senate limited the ability of citizens to be involved. Each day costs Idaho taxpayers $35,000. Many bills deemed unconstitutional have been re-written 3 and 4 times, wasting time as they try to skirt the Idaho Constitution.
CONSTITUTIONAL CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT CURTAILED
The Senate voted 26-9 in favor of Senate Bill 1110 and it passed out of the House State Affairs committee Monday on a straight party line vote. SB1110 sharply increases the hurdles to get a voter initiative on the Idaho ballot, by requiring 6% of signatures of registered voters in all 35 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts, rather than in 18 as under current law. If it becomes law, even though the voters in 34 legislative districts agree to the importance of an initiative, one district can veto the effort. This hurdle will make it nearly impossible for Idahoans to have their voices heard as provided for in the Idaho Constitution.
Additionally, last week the Senate passed S1150. This bill further restricts the citizen process by requiring all signatures to be gathered in Idaho only. This would take away the rights of those who are Idaho citizens and registered to vote, but are not physically in Idaho such as military service members stationed outside the state, business contractors working outside the state, and students studying abroad. When this was mentioned, the sponsors did not seem to care.
BUDGETS AT RISK
In a 29-40 vote, the House killed House Bill 271, the budget for the Idaho Attorney General’s office for next year. The Idaho Constitution explicitly defines the separation of powers and the Attorney General’s core constitutional duty is protecting the State’s legal interests and may not be diminished by the Legislature. Unfortunately, his advice is often ignored by the majority party on several pieces of legislation and the state finds itself in a no-win legal battle.
In addition HB 270, which provided funds for the commission of the arts narrowly passed in a 37-32 vote. The budget just maintains the programs they presently manage with a slight increase due to COVID funds.
EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES LOST
The House narrowly killed House Bill 226, to accept a $5.98 million early-learning grant to the state Board of Education. The Idaho Association for the education of Young Children was to assist in distributing the money to existing local childcare and child education groups through an application process. The funds were to support such things as children's library programs, kindergarten readiness programs, classes teaching adults about early literacy (which is a goal of Gov. Little's), support for families and programs that help parents find child care specifically for ages 0 to 5. There was also the ability for applications from businesses to work with employees on several childcare issues. Both of Idaho's U.S. Sens. Crapo and Risch helped secure the grant and it is supported by the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Hopefully we can manage to re-work the grant for Idaho families.
JOINING IDAHO WORKING FAMILIES
On Wednesday, several Democrats joined roughly 100 Idahoans in protest against the debate and subsequent vote on House Bill 226. Lawmakers spoke with constituents and members of the media at the "Stand Up For Idaho Women" event. Many also addressed the crowd and urged them to remain active within the legislature helping ensure Idaho’s working families are put first.
SENATE HAPPENINGS
SB 1088, provides for more transparency in a rental process by having landlords detail any fees in a lease agreement and give 30-day notice to renters before being charged. It passed in a 26-8 vote.
SB 1089, repealed a section of Idaho code relating to the rape of a spouse, which had previously acted as an exception for the crime. It passed unanimously.
The Senate Transportation Committee killed Senate Bill 1132, which would’ve allowed people to obtain driving credentials regardless of their immigration status.
HOUSE HAPPENINGS
The House voted 54-13 in favor of HB221 allowing local school districts to certify as teachers anyone who meets locally set requirements, as long as they include being at least 18, not having an infectious disease, passing a criminal background check, and holding a bachelor’s degree.
The House passed House Bill 249 in a 56-12, party-line vote. The bill requires parents to “opt in” in writing two weeks in advance for their children to receive any instruction in school having to do with human sexuality, and only an “opt-out” option for the study of “human anatomy and physiology.”
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
Last week, Idaho launched a Covid-19 vaccine pre-registration system. This system allows Idahoans who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to add their names to a statewide list so that vaccine providers can easily find people who want the vaccine. You can add your name to the registry now, and you will be contacted by a provider for an appointment when the vaccine is available and you are eligible to receive the vaccine. Additionally, on this portal you can declare which counties you are willing to receive a vaccine, which could open availability for getting a vaccine sooner.
Crush the Curve has a chat function, a web form, and a phone line at 208-391-7036 to help people find vaccine appointments.
Vaccinations are currently being administered to Idahoans 65 and older and a variety of frontline workers. Please note that Idaho is now restricting vaccine availability to those who live or work in Idaho. You will be required to show proof of Idaho residency or employment in Idaho to receive your vaccine.
The Federal Food and Drug Administration approved a third vaccine under an emergency use authorization, late last week. This is a one-dose vaccine developed by Johnson and Johnson. It is being shipped now and should increase available doses in Idaho this month.
Currently, Idaho has 121,561 people who have received the first dose of either Pfizer or Moderna's vaccines and 136,027 people who have received the second dose and are fully vaccinated. In Idaho, we have administered 79% of the doses provided to the state.
SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE
Your Health Idaho has announced a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from March 1 through March 31, 2021. During this time, any uninsured Idahoan who meets exchange eligibility will be able to sign up for comprehensive health insurance coverage that begins April 1, 2021.
To enroll, visit Your Health Idaho or call 1-855-944-3246 with questions.
