"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.
