January 26, 2021: Rep. Sally Toone & Rep. Muffy Davis Session Update

"STATE OF THE STATE" ADDRESS

Governor Brad Little gave his State of the State address on Monday January 11th as the 66th legislative session began. The Governor rolled out his "Building Idaho's Future" plan, investing in several critical categories. His plan includes investing in deteriorating transportation (nearly $242 million annually in just maintenance needs alone), broadband (for schools, businesses, and telehealth), education, workforce training, and public safety.

The plan uses some of Idaho's one-time surplus and healthy returns from last year's revenues to invest in critical infrastructure and workforce needs. The Governor and the Legislature are sitting on over $1 billion of revenues with the Rainy Day Fund and strong tax collections while gouging programs and departments that serve the public with a 5% holdback, including education. Idaho also has $180 million in internet sales tax that is not being shared per statute with local governments. We truly need to invest in long-term solutions for all with more than one-time investments.

Idaho's economy has fared well despite the global pandemic. It is important that we not squander the opportunity this presents to invest in the areas that will most benefit working Idahoans.

COVID-19 VACCINE ROLL-OUT

Starting late last month, Covid-19 vaccines began being administered to select groups of Idahoans. Idaho has a Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Committee (CVAC) which makes recommendations on how to prioritize our limited supply.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is holding weekly briefings on vaccine information. "Get Immunized Idaho" has put together information on the importance of getting vaccinated.

Each week the federal government lets Idaho know how much vaccine is available for our state. Currently, we have received around 163,000 doses (that is first and second doses) in the State. Of those, the State has documentation that 73,209 (first and second doses) have been administered.

Currently, priority is determined in groups and the State has established an expected timeline. Group one is healthcare workers and long term care workers and residents, which started December 14th. Group two includes front line essential workers and those age 65+. On January 12th, first responders, pre-k through 12 teachers & staff, daycare workers, and correctional facility staff started getting vaccinated, and early February, it will open up to those 65+. Late in February or early March, depending on vaccine supply, the State will open up the last bunch of frontline essential workers and you can find the list of those here.

Right now, those eligible to receive vaccines are connecting to providers through their employers. As the State moves to the 65+ group, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Public Health Districts will be providing information on who to contact to schedule an appointment or get on a waiting list. The Director of Health and Welfare anticipates that guidance will come out before February 1.

In the meantime, if your health care provider is part of St. Luke's, they have set up a webpage with information and instructions on how to make appointments through their myChart system as the vaccine becomes available. Public Health Districts have very few vaccine doses. If someone misses or cancels an appointment sometimes a dose remains in a vial. You can call all vaccine providers to be put on a waitlist, but be prepared to act quickly with last-minute calls from a provider.

COVID SAFETY CHALLENGES IN THE LEGISLATURE

The Idaho Legislature is not requiring members nor the public to wear masks or to socially distance in The Capitol, even as Covid-19 cases are still raging in Boise and throughout our state. Many of you have probably heard about the Covid-19 safety challenges Muffy has had with our House Majority Leadership.

For your information, we wanted to update you on the situation and the current status. Representatives Davis and Chew filed an ADA reasonable accommodation lawsuit against Speaker Bedke and the House legislature on January 7th, because after numerous accommodation requests for several months, neither of them had received any response from the Speaker. Both representatives have health conditions that put them at high risk of serious negative outcomes should they contract Covid-19.

The day following filing the lawsuit, both received a letter from Speaker Bedke outlining some potential accommodations for office space, but nothing to address their request for remote participation. The Speaker attests that remote voting and debating is not possible because the House rules state that all members must be either in committee or on the House Floor to debate and vote. That is correct, our House rules do state that, but House rules are continuously suspended routinely for numerous reasons. The Speaker suspends a rule that allows Muffy to roll through the front of the floor because of wheelchair access, and every time we don't read a bill in full three times on the House Floor before voting on it, that is a suspension of a House rule and the Idaho Constitution. So if Speaker Bedke wanted to he could easily suspend the rules for ADA accommodation for members' health and safety.

Nevertheless, he has refused to do that, so Friday, January 15th, Muffy made a motion requesting the House to suspend the rules and allow remote participation, within the city of Boise, for members with physical impairments who are at high risk of serious negative outcomes should they contract Covid-19. Unfortunately, our colleagues voted down party lines to allow that suspension, which if it had passed would have invalidated the lawsuit.

Since it did not pass, Representative Davis and Chew are continuing their lawsuit to request a safe, remote workplace to do their jobs. Hopefully, the judge will soon have a decision on the preliminary injunction, which would allow them both to participate and vote remotely in a safe space until the lawsuit is decided. The outpouring of public support has been tremendous and so helpful through these challenging times.

COMMITTEE WORK--REMOTE ACCESS AND TESTIMONY

Most House committees are just getting started. We have started introducing bills and are reviewing the many agency rules used for legislative implementation. Please visit the legislative website for information.

Initially told the House would have NO remote testimony, there now is a plan to allow virtual testimony in house committees. This is great news for the citizens of Idaho though it does come with some unique processes.

Much of our work is done in committees, where bills are presented to the members of the committee and we often hear testimony from lobbyists and citizens. To find out agenda’s and committee bills, simply go to the Idaho Legislature website and find the committee agendas. Unfortunately, committee agendas do come out on short notice, so if you have a bill you are particularly interested in, you might want to contact the committee secretary and ask if they know when the bill will be heard.

The IT crew and leadership have devised the following protocol for remote testimony. There will be a Zoom meeting request “form” at remotetestimony@lso.idaho.gov for an easy way to make sure that they get all the information that we need to support you. You must do this to remotely testify. Our processes and democracy is dependent upon us listening to your voice and doing your work.

LEGISLATION AND FLOOR ACTION

HJR1 was the first House chamber debate for the session. This is a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to call itself into session without a Governor’s proclamation. Idaho is one of 14 states that only allows the Governor to convene the Legislature for a special session with a limited scope of topics as well as the number of times called to session per year. The Constitution has served Idaho well for 130 years and really prevents us from being a full time legislature. In a vote of 51-18 which exceeded the necessary 2/3 requirement for passage, the measure will be sent to the Senate which also requires a two-thirds vote for passage. Please let the Senate know your concerns

STAR CARD- IDAHO'S REAL ID

Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security will require a Star Card Driver's License or ID card, or other approved credential such as a passport, to get through security at airports, courthouses, and military bases.

Unless you have a passport or another compliant identification, you will need to get a Star Card to fly on an airplane or visit federal buildings. There are specific documents required to obtain your Star Card. To make the process easy, visit the Idaho Transportation Department's website to ensure you arrive at your DMV office with the right documents.

As of November 30, 2020, 227,000 out of 1.25 million licensed drivers in Idaho have a Star Card.

January 23, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"For while we have our eyes on the future history has its eyes on us" --Amanda Gorman

BALANCE OF POWER

As foreshadowed during the 2020 Extraordinary Session, the legislature is focused on the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. This concern arises in the context of the covid-19 pandemic and the Governor's responses to it. However, it is important that we carefully consider not just the short-term politics of today's crisis, but the long-term consequences of how power is allocated in Idaho.

If we aren't thoughtful about avoiding political posturing and closely looking at consequences, Idaho could lose all kinds of resources that are helping with health care during the pandemic and are critical to the vaccine roll-out. Governor Little has emphasized this in a message to the legislature and the public.

Emergency declarations are a crucial part of our response to a variety of events, including droughts and wild fires. These events and recovery from them can last months or years. Aid goes to many sectors, depending on the disaster and its impacts--ranching, agriculture and local governments can all be beneficiaries. Money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is often ongoing because it continues as long as the need continues. If an emergency declaration is lifted prematurely due to an arbitrary cut-off date, the aid ends before the need does.

As the legislature considers many bills related to these issues, we must sort through how we can help now with the economy and getting people back to work, without irreparably damaging our efforts to help people survive the pandemic or our ability to respond to future disasters.

The following bills may come before the Senate State Affairs committee soon:

S1001 redefines disaster.

S1002 attempts to keep federal emergency funds being used to respond to the pandemic, while allowing an end to an emergency declaration.

S1003 would reduce the Governor's authority during a state of extreme "peril' and limits such a declaration to human-caused conditions. It also states that the Governor cannot restrict Idahoans' right to work and would limit such a declaration to 30 days unless the legislature extends it.

Additionally:

SCR101 will be considered on the Senate Floor soon. This resolution would terminate the Governor's COVID-19 emergency orders, while purportedly maintaining those declarations necessary to keep federal funding. All FEMA emergency funding stops without the proclamation declaring an emergency according to General Richy, the Director of Idaho Office of Emergency Management.

The House has been considering similar bills. I will be carefully reviewing each bill that comes before me for both how it would effect the State now and in the future.

COVID-19 VACCINES

The rapid development of safe and effective covid-19 vaccines continues to expand, but it means we are now facing the challenge of getting those vaccines into arms. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is holding weekly briefings on this. Get Immunized Idaho has put together information on the importance of getting vaccinated.

On the supply side, the federal government lets Idaho know how much vaccine is available for our state each week. Idaho orders all that is available for the state. We have received around 163,000 doses (that is first and second doses) in the State. Of those, the State has documentation that 73,209 (first and second doses) have been put in people's arms. Of the remaining doses, some have been administered by pharmacies, but not formally reported due to some technical issues, while the rest have been scheduled.

Idaho has a Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Committee (CVAC) which makes recommendations on how to prioritize our limited supply. Their meetings are available to the public and past meetings are recorded and available at that page.

Currently priority is determined in groups and the State has established an expected timeline. To summarize, group one is healthcare workers and long term care workers and residents, which started on December 14th. Group two has front line essential workers and those age 65+. Starting on January 12th, first responders, pre-k through 12 teachers & staff, daycare workers, and correctional facility staff started getting vaccinated. Starting in early February, it will open up to those 65+. Late in February or early March, depending on vaccine supply, the State will open up the last bunch of frontline essential workers and you can find the list of those at the link in this paragraph.

Right now, those eligible to receive vaccines are connecting to providers through their employers. As the State moves to the 65+ group, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Public Health Districts will be providing information on who to contact to schedule an appointment or get on a waiting list. The Director of Health and Welfare anticipates that guidance will come out before February 1.

In the meantime, if your health care provider is part of St. Luke's, they have set up a webpage with information and instructions on how to make appointments through their myChart system as the vaccine becomes available. Public Health Districts have very few vaccine doses. If someone misses or cancels an appointment sometimes a dose remains in a vial. You can call all vaccine providers to be put on a waitlist, but be prepared to act quickly with last minute calls from a provider.

January 16, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"Don't torture yourself trying to make someone see something they cannot see, or believe something they do not believe. Just stay true to your vision for yourself. . . . Real gratitude is giving thanks when things aren't perfect. . . .Real courage makes the 'impossible' -- possible, with real faith." --Bryant McGill

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THE SESSION

I encourage you to participate in the 2021 legislative session. Our democracy is dependent upon us listening to the voices of our people and doing their work. You deserve to be heard in a peaceful fashion.

Much of our work is done in committees, where bills are presented to the members of the committee and we often hear testimony from lobbyists and citizens.

To find out when a bill is coming before a committee, check the committee's agenda. Unfortunately, committee agendas do come out on short notice, so if you have a bill you are particularly interested in, you might want to contact the committee secretary and ask if they know when the bill will be heard. Contact information and links to follow to find agendas for Senate committees are on the legislature's website. The same information is also available for House committees.

This session, all Senate committees will be taking both in-person and remote testimony. If you would like to sign up to testify online, you will be able to do so using the link on the committee agenda. You will need to provide written testimony when you sign up. Please note that remote testimony is a work-in-progress so it may not be available in the first weeks of the session. Contact the committee's secretary if you have questions about how to testify.

Some House committees may allow remote testimony, however, for the House, this is at the discretion of the Chair of the committee.

If you decide to come to the Statehouse in person this session, be aware that masks are requested, but not required. Hand sanitizer and disposable masks are available throughout the building. Social distancing will be required in Senate Committee rooms and I ask that you cooperate with personnel directing you to overflow rooms as necessary to maintain social distancing. This session, appointments are necessary to meet with Senators.

BUDGET

During his State of the State address last Monday, the Governor rolled out his "Building Idaho's Future" plan, listing nine categories, using Idaho's one-time surplus and healthy returns from last year's revenues to invest in critical infrastructure and workforce needs. I applaud the plan to invest in languishing transportation (nearly $242 million annually in maintenance needs alone), broadband (for schools, businesses, and telehealth), education, workforce training, and public safety. These are infrastructure needs that I have been pushing for years.

However, the Governor and the Legislature are sitting on over $1 billion of revenues with the Rainy Day Fund and strong tax collections while gouging programs and departments that serve the public, including education. Idaho also received $180 million in internet sales tax revenues, but refuses to give the 11.5% sales tax allotted for local governments at a time when emergency services, schools, and property taxes are stretching people and communities to the breaking point. The first two categories in the plan are tax relief and spending cuts. Disappointingly, tax relief for those in the most desperate economic need, like our working poor and seniors, would only get a one-time benefit, while those who need assistance the least, could receive permanent tax cuts.

Idaho's economy, as a whole, has fared well despite the global pandemic. It is important that we not squander the opportunity this presents to invest in the areas that will most benefit working Idahoans.

This regular legislative session will likely be unprecedented in content and behavior. I continue to strive for good, thoughtful process and communication for and with everyone I serve.

Happy New Year / Going forward in 2021: A message from Jeremy Fryberger to Blaine County

Welcome, everyone, to 2021!

Because there is so much to discuss, I won't try to tackle all of it in one email. Instead, look for another update in a week or two. For now, let me get you up to speed on some personnel changes.

I'll start by briefly introducing myself...Jeremy Fryberger, (new) chairperson of Blaine County Democrats.

More significantly, on behalf of all Blaine County Dems, I want to thank outgoing chair, Janie Davidson, for her seven-plus years at the helm of this organization. In addition to her steadfast oversight during four election cycles, Janie leaves the county party's top role only after all four of our 2020 candidates won their re-election contests. (Congratulations to Senator Michelle Stennett, Reps. Sally Toone and Muffy Davis, and County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg!) For any baseball fans in our mix, that's batting one thousand!!

Even better, Janie isn't retiring from Idaho Dem party politics. In fact, far from it! Having recently been elected to serve as the Dem Party chairperson for Idaho Legislative District 26—D26 encompasses Blaine, Camas, Gooding, and Lincoln counties—Janie has actually taken a step up the leadership ladder. She'll do a great job, and we'll all be better for it!

Although there is much that I'd like to mention regarding 2020's election cycle—as well as what the future holds for Blaine County Dems—I want to remind all of you of our very next event. On this coming Saturday evening (January 9th) at 5 pm, we'll have a zoom meeting virtual send-off for our three terrific state legislators—Michelle, Sally, and Muffy—all of whom start the 2021 legislative session (in person—yikes!!!) on Monday, January 11. Please join us!

Before closing, I'll finish wrapping up the personnel topic: Although chairing Blaine County Democrats isn't a role that I envisioned for myself, I am very passionate—for reasons that most of you likely share with me—about our mission of electing more Democratic Party candidates (and supporting them once in office). Thus, I will always do the best I can to further this cause, and am grateful for the confidence that others have placed in me.

In the meantime, I am also grateful that outgoing chair Davidson—in addition to becoming the new D26 chair—is staying on with Blaine County Democrats as vice chair (mainly to help me learn the ropes). Further continuity will come from the ongoing service of Pedro Manuel Miramontes Ortiz (secretary), Andrea Nelson (treasurer), Bev Robinson (state committee woman), and Brent Robinson (state committee man), as well as our numerous other Blaine County precinct captains.

Once again, please join us via zoom on Saturday, January 9th at 5 pm for our legislative session send-off. And, expect another update in the coming weeks.

Jeremy Fryberger

chair, Blaine County Democrats

blainecountydems@gmail.com

208.720.6863

Chairperson Transition Announcement

Blaine County Democrats,

What a year!—in fact, seven-plus years since I became chairwoman of Blaine County Dems. Where has the time gone? Nevertheless,I want to thank all of you for your help and support during these years that I have served as your Chair. My experience has been greatly rewarding.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to note (in a somewhat bittersweet way) that Blaine County, following the 2020 election, is Idaho's only solid "blue" county. Good job, all of you, for helping get out the vote!

Now, as I step aside to make way for fresh leadership within Blaine County Democrats, I want to acknowledge the mentoring that past chair Betty Murphy graciously provided to me when I assumed the chair position from her. I also would like to mention the growth and guidance that I've received from our amazing local candidates over the years.

Going forward, former vice chair Jeremy Fryberger is now our chairperson; I will serve as vice chair while Jeremy finds his footing.

In addition, I'll be serving as Legislative District 26 chair for Blaine, Camus, Gooding and Lincoln counties. With Blaine County’s success, there is great interest from around the state (on how we've elected Democrats), and I hope to spread this success.

In closing, I wish us continued progress, and want to again take this opportunity to thank all of you for permitting me to be part of our team.

Best Regards,

Janie Davidson

vice chair, Blaine County Democrats

Sen. Stennett’s August update

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."   

--James Baldwin

SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SPECIAL SESSION NEWSLETTER 

Limitations on the Special Session

Under Idaho law, only the Governor can call the Legislature into a special session. Governor Little issued a proclamation doing just that and the Legislature began its work on Monday, August 24. The proclamation specifies the subjects for the special session and the Legislature is limited by law to considering only those topics. The topics in the proclamation are absentee voting during the pandemic, in-person polling locations during the pandemic, and civil liability.

The Senate Democratic Caucus would have liked for this special session to address issues that are much more pressing to the people of Idaho. Subjects like education, evictions, and the scope of the Governor's authority are all topics on which the people of Idaho have asked us urgently for relief and solutions.

The Idaho Attorney General's opinion on HCR1, which was drafted to end the state of emergency in Idaho, is that the resolution would have been unconstitutional. Outside counsel agreed with this assessment. Whatever topics we might think needed to be addressed during the special session, it is imperative that we act within the constraints of existing law and follow our oaths to Idaho's Constitution. It is a matter of principle, but also a matter of practicality. Wasting Idahoans' hard-earned tax dollars to consider matters that are not properly before us only to reject them on that basis, or worse to pass them and subject the taxpayers to the possibility of paying even more legal fees to defend losing cases than we already have in recent times, would be irresponsible.

We regret our inability to legally address anything outside the scope of the Governor's proclamation and we look forward to the 2021 regular session when we will not face these constraints. The Senate passed SR101, which lays out many concerns related to emergency powers and how power is allocated between the three branches of the state government as well as other concerns. These are complicated issues and we look forward to robust discussion during the regular session.

Support for Peaceful Protest

The First Amendment right to petition the government is of paramount importance. The Senate Democratic Caucus fully supports peaceful protest at the Statehouse. However, we condemn those who cause the destruction of property and refuse to abide by lawful restrictions that are in place to ensure safety. Overcrowding galleries and hearing rooms in violation of reasonable social distancing requirements and fire codes, and ignoring instructions from law enforcement is unsafe and unacceptable behavior. Heckling members of the legislature or, worse, threatening their safety as they go about the business of the people, is counterproductive and disappointing. We are particularly disappointed that the Speaker of the House chose to ignore predetermined safety protocols and put everyone at risk by condoning the actions of those who damaged property at the Capitol and allowing them to be seated in the House gallery. We thank law enforcement for ensuring the safety of all concerned and helping the legislature to complete the people's business.

Bills During the Special Session

 The House and the Senate generated several bills during the special session. The quick process included public testimony and legal analyses.

H0001 would require an opportunity to vote in person. This bill passed the House unanimously and passed the Senate.  

H0002, H0003, H0004, and H0005 all address civil liability. All four died in the House committee.

H0006 provides limited immunity related to coronavirus. The House and Senate both passed this bill, with the vote divided largely along party lines.

HCR001 called for the state of emergency to end. A divided House passed this resolution. An Attorney General's opinion and an outside counsel's opinion agreed that it would have been unconstitutional. The Senate laid the resolution on the table, meaning it did not take it up for consideration.

HR001 urges the Governor to use CARES Act funds for poll workers. This resolution passed the House easily. Because it is a House Resolution it did not come before the Senate.

S1001a has provisions related to absentee ballots. This bill passed the House and Senate easily.

S1002 would have allowed for voting centers. The Senate passed this bill; however, it died in the House committee.

SR101 expresses the Senate's understanding that terminating the Governor's emergency order was not properly before it during the special session and outlines a variety of matters that the Senate believes should be considered during the 2021 regular session.

Sincerely,

Michelle

May 28 Trivia Night

Join us for Blaine County Dems’ second trivia night on Zoom! We will be convening at 6:30 pm when teams gather for drinks and snacks in their small groups (teams of up to four people). Trivia starts at 7 pm. We suggest teams donate $20 to Blaine County Dems, but it’s not mandatory. Our first event was great fun—Michelle Stennett’s team reigned supreme. Questions will be about national politics this time—but we might mix in a few Idaho-centric questions because everyone agreed we learned a lot last time. Register your team today!

Join US!

As Idaho moves forward in a phased re-opening of our economy, we know many of us will continue to make staying at home a high priority. Like other community organizations and groups, Blaine County Democrats will continue to keep you informed over email, text and other methods, including Zoom. Even if we aren't gathering in person, we are planning some fun opportunities to be among friends and fellow Dems.

Take a break and join Blaine Dems' trivia nights on Thursday, May 14 and Thursday, May 28. You can bring a team of up to four people!

Click HERE to register.