REDISTRICTING AND THE CENSUS
Every ten years, the federal government is obligated by the US Constitution to conduct a census and has since 1790. 2020 was no different. The census date is used to adjust the boundary lines for federal and state legislative districts plus information about our demographics for better policies and receive important resources.
Idaho has had significant population growth since the last census and that growth has not been evenly distributed across the State so we anticipate many district boundary lines will shift by quite a bit. The new data will be very late this year (Sept. 30, 2021) creating a time crunch for Idaho to get our redistricting done in time for our next elections.
Under Idaho law, our redistricting is done by an independent commission. Once the commission is formed, there will be opportunities for public input, including public meetings. That information will be posted on the Legislature's website. Stay tuned…
IDAHO WORKING FAMILIES AGENDA
The House Minority Caucus unveiled on Tuesday its “Idaho Working Families Agenda,” a comprehensive plan to deliver tax benefits to working families and boost critical education investments to help Idaho children learn basic skills, including reading. The plan is both fiscally responsible and sustainable, leveraging the Idaho Tax Relief Fund. It achieves two goals of growing a thriving middle class by boosting working families as well as providing much-needed funds for our schools and kids.
TAXES, TAXES AND MORE TAXES OR LACK OF DOING ANYTHING TO HELP IDAHOANS
This week there were a multitude of tax bills introduced but does any of it really help???
On Tuesday, House GOP leadership and Rep. Harris introduced a tax plan — House Bill 199. The GOP plan was a sweeping tax-cut bill which lowered tax rates and cut the grocery tax credit. It would not remove the sales tax on groceries. Through analysis, families making less that $74,000 would pay more in taxes.
The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee voted 6-3 in favor of Senate Bill 1108, which seeks to limit local government budgets in an effort to stem property taxes. The passage came after lengthy testimony opposing the legislation from across the state. Sen. Rabe, D-Boise commented “I do not think that this will provide property tax relief that we want to see... I think we need to do it in a way that is a little bit more collaborative with local elected officials.” All Democrats voted against.
In the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Friday, House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, introduced a bill, House Bill 218, to completely eliminate the property tax that businesses pay on their equipment over 10 years. It proposed to replace the revenue lost to local governments with General Fund dollars, but at a fixed level that will not adjust to the future cost of providing services and shift the cost to other property taxpayers.
BALLOT RESTRICTIONS
The Senate State Affairs voted 6-3 on Friday in favor of Senate Bill 1110, which will move to the full Senate now. The legislation raises the requirements for a citizen-led ballot initiative, like Medicaid Expansion, to qualify for a statewide vote from 6% of general election voters in 18 legislative districts to 6% of eligible voters in 35 legislative districts. Over two days of hearings, 44 people testified on the bill, nine for, 34 against, and one both for and against. All Democrats voted against. This would effectively give one district the veto power over the other 34.
FINANCES MOVING FORWARD
The House voted 59-8 in favor of distributing the first piece of the nearly $900 million in federal COVID-19 aid funding, House Bill 176, which authorized in December. It provides $175 million for rental and utility assistance to Idahoans impacted by the pandemic. All Democrats voted in favor.
HOUSE HAPPENINGS
The House voted 45-24 in favor of House Bill 106. It eliminates the August election date and was passed despite objections of school districts around the state, which hold their tax levy and recall elections then, after setting their annual budgets over the summer. All Democrats were opposed.
The House voted 49-20 in favor of House Bill 135, which restricts the governor’s emergency powers, including declaring all jobs “essential,” limiting emergency orders issued by the governor to 60 days unless they’re extended by the Legislature, prohibiting the governor from suspending any laws during an emergency, and more. The bill moves to the Senate State Affairs Committee. All Democrats were opposed.
The House passed House Bill 123 in a 57-11 vote. It is a supplemental appropriation to allow the state Commission on Aging to spend $862,400 granted to Idaho under the COVID-19 aid bill, which President Donald Trump signed Dec. 27 to deliver meals to seniors at home in place of the congregate meals it would have offered but for COVID-19. All Democrats were in favor.
SENATE HAPPENINGS
The Senate State Affairs Committee also forwarded Senate Bill 1132 to the Senate Transportation Committee. The legislation will allow people in the state, regardless of their immigration status, to attain a Driver’s Authorization Card, which is similar to a standard driver’s license and requires the same standards.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 6-3 in favor of House Joint Resolution 1, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the Idaho Legislature to call itself into special session whenever 60% of the members of each house want to. Currently, the Idaho Constitution permits only the governor to call special sessions of the Legislature; otherwise the Legislature meets each year starting in January, and its regular session usually runs through March, but has no limit on its length. HJR 1 moves to the full Senate, where it would need two-thirds support to pass, as well as majority approval from voters at the November 2022 general election. All Democrats voted against.
