AND THE CONVERSATION IS ALL ABOUT MONEY and a bit more??? DAY 100
It is a requirement of the the Idaho legislature to have a balanced budget. One of our most important legislative duties is to pass a balanced budget. This process has come to a halt. The House has voted down budget after budget. In some cases, the House sponsor of a budget bill has even debated against it, which defies logic. Idaho has over $600 million in our general fund, plus approximately $200 million in the online tax fund so there is simply no excuse for continuing to vote down budgets, with education budgets hanging in limbo. We have 17 appropriation bills on the House calendar being held hostage.
EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT BILL PASSES SENATE, MOVES TO HOUSE FLOOR FOR VOTE
Last week, the Senate voted 18-17 in favor of SB1193, the new version of a bill to accept a $6 million grant approved by the Trump Administration to help local collaboratives improve early learning in their communities in children up to age 5. An earlier version of the proposal, HB226, narrowly died in the House on March 2, after opponents claimed it would be a tool to impose a social-justice indoctrination program on Idaho’s youngest children — though the grant leaves all curriculum decisions up to local collaboratives. We hope this important bill will pass the House and enable many communities with the resources to enact important early childhood learning programs.
GOVERNOR LITTLE SIGNS SB1110 BALLOT INITIATIVE RESTRICTION BILL
We are disheartened that Governor Little chose to sign the Ballot Initiative restriction bill, SB1110, even though thousands of Idahoans along with four past Attorney Generals reached out and urged him not to sign this unconstitutional bill. SB1110 increases the signature requirement for prospective ballot initiatives from 6% of registered voters in 18 legislative districts to 6% in all 35 legislative districts, thereby making it the most restrictive initiative requirements in any of the 26 states that allow citizen ballot initiatives. Already organizations have stated they will challenge the bill in court, which will end up costing Idaho taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. In his transmittal letter, Governor Little explains that he signed SB1110 but states, “Whether Senate Bill 1110 amounts to an impermissible restriction in violation of our constitution is highly fact dependent and, ultimately, a question for the Idaho judiciary to decide. I also expect the federal courts may be called to determine whether Senate Bill 1110 violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” This is a sad result for the citizens of Idaho.
GOVERNOR LITTLE VETOS BILLS TO CURB EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS
Last Friday, Gov. Brad Little vetoed legislation seeking to trim the powers of the governor in disaster emergencies and increase those of the Legislature. Both House Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1136 were opposed by all four living past governors of Idaho, each signing statements in support of Governor Little’s veto. In a press release, Governor Little wrote that he “…will veto the bills because they are overly restrictive and handcuff the state’s ability to take timely and necessary action to help Idahoans in future emergencies. The bills unnecessarily politicize the state’s emergency response efforts and jeopardize critical funding for local governments. The bills violate the separation of powers doctrine and are unconstitutional. The Senate and House will both likely take votes this week to override the Governor’s vetoes. We hope, they will not pass and the vetoes will stand, thereby keeping emergency powers in the power of the Executive Branch and ensuring that Idaho can act timely during the next emergency. If the Legislature has proven anything this session, its that it cannot be trusted to act timely with any important legislation.
"SHOUT OUTS" TO THE HAPPENINGS IN DISTRICT 26
Congrats to the IDAHO Food Bank. Legislation has been passed and awaiting the Governor's signature to forward $3.6 million dollars to Idaho community food banks.
The Lava Ridge Wind Power proposal will be presented by Magic Valley Energy. It is a proposal for Lincoln, Minidoka and Jerome Counties. The presentation will be a the Shoshone Community Center on Beverly Street in Shoshone from 3-6, April 24th. Come hear the information.
SENATE HAPPENINGS
TRANSPORTATION
The Senate Transportation Committee advanced HB 362 to the floor. It increases the sales tax used to pay for roads and bridges projects through bonds within the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mediation program. The current tax of 1% would increase to 4.5%, which would raise an estimated $87.8 million.
NO KINDERGARTEN FUNDING THIS YEAR
We are all very disappointed to report that the legislature will not be voting on optional full day kindergarten this year. Senator Ward-Engelking and Representative Nash, among others, worked hard to make this a reality for Idaho families, students, and schools, but the COVID recess and other obstacles kept it from happening this year.
SENATE RECESSESS AGAIN
The Senate recessed until Monday, April 19, since the body finished its third reading calendar, allowing the House to catch up.
HOUSE HAPPENINGS
ANTI-DRUG AMENDMENT TURNED DOWN
The House defeated a proposed anti-drug constitutional amendment in 42-28 vote, a count that failed to meet the required two-thirds majority of the body. HJR 4 would have permanently required a two-thirds vote of each house to legalize any drug that’s currently illegal, including medical marijuana and CBD oil or other hemp products containing any trace of THC.
LEGISLATURE TO CALL ITSELF BACK? ARE WE A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE?
The House State Affairs Committee approved SJR 2, a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to call itself into special session any time 60% of the members of each body request it. The measure replaces HJR 1, which passed the House 51-18 on Jan. 21, which did the same thing, except that the Senate version also requires the request for the special session to specify subjects to be addressed. It passed the House today on a 54-15 vote. This will be voted on in the next general election by the citizens of Idaho.
