February 20, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility." --Peter Drucker

Initiatives

Idaho’s Initiative/Referendum process is being restricted again in SB1110 requiring 6% of registered voter signatures from all 35 legislative districts in order to go to the ballot. Idaho already has the most restrictive initiative process in the nation for participating states and this doubles the number of counties which doubles the signature gathering. If 34 districts gather enough signatures, but one doesn’t, this bill gives veto power to the one district and no voice to the rest. Medicaid Expansion gathered only qualified 21 districts, not 35, yet notably, 8 of the districts that did not qualify the petition voted in favor of it in the election for a total of 61%.

The argument that rural districts are under-represented is simply false. The Governor is from Emmett, the Secretary of State is from Midvale, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is from Mountain Home. Most of the leadership in the House and Senate, committee Chairs, and legislative bodies are all rural. Remember, roughly 65% of the state is public lands. Land mass does not equal number of registered voters. Our Constitution says that all political power is inherent in the people and they have the power to initiate laws. SB 1110 would restrict that right significantly. If the Legislature wants to change our Constitution, they should be willing to propose a constitutional amendment and submit it to the voters. The bill will be debated on the Senate floor next week.

Session Bills

Much of the focus of this legislative session has been on who holds power. The legislature is currently considering three bills related to expanding and limiting the legislature's power over its own sessions.

S1068, which passed the Senate, provides an end date for the regular legislative session with some exceptions. This bill would provide some constraint on the legislature's ability to stay in session indefinitely and is intended to prevent us from becoming a full-time legislature.

HJR1 passed the House. It is a proposed Amendment to the Constitution that would allow the Legislature to call itself back into session. Currently, in Idaho, only the Governor can call the Legislature into a special session. Because it is an Amendment to the Constitution, HJR1 must pass both houses of the legislature by a 2/3 vote and then would be put to the citizens of Idaho for their vote on the next general election ballot.

S1112 will come to the Senate floor for consideration soon. It sets out a process for the legislature to call itself into session, which would be necessary if HJR1 becomes part of Idaho's Constitution. The process outlined in this bill would involve a petition to the Speaker of the House and the Pro Tem of the Senate with a specific subject and 60 percent of the members of both the House and the Senate signing before the legislature would call itself into a special session.

Public Health Districts

Public Health District Boards are composed of County Commissioners and Commissioner appointees who are healthcare providers, other elected officials, and those who have no medical expertise and who are not elected. To follow up on SB 1060, which requires county wide or district wide orders of a Public Health District to be approved or denied by the County Commissioners, some caution that Commissioners could be in charge of important medical decisions that impact large populations, like a pandemic, making it more politics than healthcare. It passed the Senate and is in the House.

February 16, 2021: Rep. Sally Toone & Rep. Muffy Davis Session Update

IDAHO RECEIVES $6 MILLION EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT

Idaho was notified in early January that we were receiving $6 million over a three-year period to build partnerships between educators, and community business partners for early learning opportunities. This grant will help Idaho work towards “building a mixed-delivery system for parents with young children,” according to a joint release in January from the State Board of Education and the Association for the Education of Young Children. The goal is to connect early childhood programs throughout our local communities in partnerships to improve school readiness throughout our local communities. We are so thankful for our partners throughout Idaho who are working collaboratively on this project.

CITIZEN INITIATIVES

On Friday, the Senate State Affairs Committee printed SB1110, which would require signatures of at least 6% of qualified electors in EACH of the 35 Idaho legislative districts for citizen driven ballot initiative or referendum petitions. Current law requires 6% of qualified electors statewide, as of the last general election, but within that, 6% must come from 18 of the 35 legislative districts. SB1110 will ultimately eliminate the ability of citizens to bring forth legislation. It also includes an emergency clause making it go into effect immediately if passed.

BALLOT TRANSPORT

On Thursday, the House moved HB88, the anti-“ballot harvesting bill,” back to the amending order after numerous representatives from both sides spoke out against it. The bill would make it a felony to “collect or convey” other people’s signed ballots. This means a family member going to the post office could only mail theirs and one other family member’s ballot. Many families know that the reality is when going to town you are efficient and send all the mail. Unfortunately, families greater than two who drop off all family member’s ballots would be guilty of a felony if this passed. Additionally, anyone attempting to assist homebound individuals or those who are in assisted living facilities by dropping off their ballots would be guilty of a felony as well.

LOSS OF LOCAL CONTROL

On Tuesday the house received an Idaho Attorney General's opinion on HB90, the “monument protection” bill, which passed the House and now is pending in the Senate State Affairs committee. The opinion found, “This bill's procedure for approving and denying the mandated requests, legislative concurrent resolutions, likely has no legal effect and is therefore unenforceable.” In addition, the attorney general’s office wrote, “Further, given the lack of definition of certain terms, HB 90 may implicate First Amendment concerns.” The bill requires legislative permission, through a concurrent resolution, any time any local government wants to change the name of a street, school or park that currently has a historical name. In addition to having to find a place to put the replaced item in public.

MEDICAL CANNABIS

In the House, a bipartisan bill, HB108, to legalize medical cannabis was introduced last week. The legislation was written by Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber, who is terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer (hear his story here). Idaho is the only Veteran's Administration Hospital in the nation not allowed to use some form of medical cannabis. This is a very limited scope bill, that would only allow specific diagnoses which are listed in the legislation to be able to obtain a prescription for medical cannabis.

Additionally, it penalizes anyone caught giving away or selling their medical cannabis. It aims to help those who would greatly benefit from medical cannabis, while not opening the door to full legalization, which many in the legislature and the state are opposed to. House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Wood is willing to hear the bill if enough Republicans on the committee are in support AND if Chairman Martin, of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee agrees to hear the bill. So, if you are in support of Idaho legalizing medical cannabis for those who would benefit from it, please consider emailing both the House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees.

You can send emails to the committee secretaries and ask them to share with the committee members. Those emails are:

• House Health and Welfare Committee: hhel@house.idaho.gov

• Senate Health and Welfare Committee: shel@senate.idaho.gov

SJR101, the proposed Constitutional Amendment to ban all forms of drugs in Idaho is still being held in the House State Affairs Committee, after passing out of the Senate. If you are opposed to this prospective bill, please email the House State Affairs Committee at: hstaf@house.idaho.gov

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

Idaho now has a public dashboard dedicated to providing transparent information about our vaccine roll-out. As of last week, South Central Public Health District has the best percentage of vaccines administered out of those distributed. Unfortunately, only 70 percent of vaccines in hand have been administered; the rest is unused, sitting with providers.

Idaho continues to vaccinate those 65 and over, along with healthcare and essential workers.

For information about when and where you can be vaccinated, please visit the South Central Public Health District's Covid-19 vaccine information webpage. Additionally, Vaccinate the 208 has information in Spanish.

Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage of the vaccine situation. Please be aware that private individuals do not have the vaccine for sale.

HOUSE HAPPENINGS

The House Agriculture Committee voted unanimously this week to introduce new legislation, HB126, brought forth by the Idaho Farm Bureau, to legalize industrial hemp in Idaho, for production, processing, transportation, and research.

The House rejected HB53 to end the requirement that government agencies in Idaho publish official notices in the newspaper. The bill would have allowed all government agencies in Idaho to just post the notices on their own websites instead.

The House also voted 55-15 in favor of HCR5, a resolution aimed at declaring “null, void and of no force and effect” the governor’s 50-person guideline for public or private gatherings statewide due to the ongoing pandemic.

SENATE HAPPENINGS

JFAC members also voted 16-2 on Friday to authorize spending $24 million of the $58 million COVID-19 grant the state received for child care.

The Senate passed SB1017 in a 30-3 vote to update Idaho’s list of scheduled drugs to mirror the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s controlled substance scheduling and de-scheduling decisions in 2020. One of the changes included removing Epidiolex — non-psychoactive pharmaceutical drug developed by a British firm that is a pure form of CBD oil — from the current listing as a Schedule V drug in Idaho.

The Senate voted unanimously, 34-0, in favor of SB1041, legislation proposed by Idaho petroleum marketers and convenience stores to change Idaho’s price gouging law. This was done after a $1.5 million settlement that the state Attorney General’s office reached with three of Idaho’s largest fuel retailers in Idaho over prices charged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 13, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"The measure of a man is what he does with power." --Plato

We are halfway through this legislative session and have only passed one law. It proves that the legislative branch is not nimble and would not efficiently handle an emergency with a quick response.

Change to Public Health District Authority

S1060 would allow review by County Commissioners of Public Health District orders applicable to the general public. This would apply to orders on mask, limits on gatherings and other similar orders that we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. This review would happen within seven days. The bill does not change the Public Health Districts' authority over many issues such as food safety and septic inspections. The bill would also make violations of this kind of order an infraction--a lower level of offense than the currently provided-for misdemeanor.

This is intended to shift responsibility for generally applicable orders from appointed Public Health Board Members to elected County Commissioners and to reduce the punishment for violations of these orders. All seven Public Health Districts support this bill. It passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee after a robust presentation and it will be considered on the Senate floor next week.

Restricting the Initiative

Senator Vick brought S1110 to the Senate State Affairs Committee to require signatures from all 35 districts in Idaho before a measure can be put on the ballot. Of the states that allow for ballot measures, Idaho already has among the most onerous requirements. Last session when we considered multiple bills that would have made it more difficult for the people to have their voice heard through the initiative process, experts in this field testified that further restrictions would likely be found unconstitutional. This bill will likely be heard in committee next week.

Redistricting and the Census

Every ten years, the federal government is obligated by the US Constitution to conduct a census and 2020 was a census year. The States use the census data to adjust the boundary lines for federal and state legislative districts. This data is also very important to knowing more about our demographics so we can make good public policy 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. Unfortunately, the census has had substantial difficulties and we will be getting the census data very late, 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.

Covid-19 Vaccine Update

Idaho now has a public dashboard dedicated to providing transparent information about our vaccine roll-out. As of yesterday, South Central Public Health District has the best percentage of vaccines administered out of those distributed. Unfortunately, only 70 percent of vaccines in hand have been administered; the rest is unused, sitting with providers.

Idaho continues to vaccinate those 65 and over, along with healthcare and essential workers. For information about when and where you can be vaccinated, please visit the South Central Public Health District's Covid-19 vaccine information webpage. Additionally, Vaccinate the 208 has information in Spanish.

Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage of the vaccine situation. Please be aware that private individuals do not have the vaccine for sale.

February 9, 2021: Rep. Sally Toone & Rep. Muffy Davis Session Update

LIMITATIONS OF POWER

Several bills attempting to limit the governor’s emergency powers have been drafted to end Idaho’s state of emergency amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The House introduced HB 98 which is an updated version of HB 16, that aims to limit the governor’s emergency powers to a maximum of 60 days. Supposedly there is a provision in the bill to protect federal emergency funding, but this is untested and not sure to be approved by the Federal Government.

Additionally, two bills, one in each body, have been introduced, HB 33 and SB 1060, that aim to limit the power of public health districts and require their orders to be approved by county commissioners. So far, the House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman hasn’t held a hearing on HB33, for which we are thankful. Unfortunately, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee might be hearing SB1060 as early as the end of this week. If you are interested in submitting public testimony on either of these bills, please send your comments to: hhel@house.idaho.gov and shel@senate.idaho.gov respectively.

The House Education Committee also introduced two bills that will have hearings this week. HB67 and HB68 are also aimed at limiting Public Health Departments authority when dealing with emergencies. Please take a moment and review them.

NEW STATE FUNDING

Currently, there is $900 million in new federal funding, which the legislature has yet to distribute. The process will involve a supplemental budget that will need to go through the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) and then the spending must be approved by both the House and Senate. Gov. Brad Little was responsible for distributing federal coronavirus aid during the summer, but since the Legislature is now in session, his office has no control over the schedule for its introduction. The new funding includes $851,000 for the Commission on Aging for “meals on wheels” for seniors, $164 million for rental assistance for workers who lost jobs, and $58 million for daycare centers’ operations.

REBOUND IDAHO

Last Tuesday, Gov. Little moved the state from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of the “Idaho Rebounds” plan, which eased an array of COVID-19 restrictions including allowing gatherings of up to 50 people. This decision was made due to a decline in cases and hospitalizations statewide. For more information on the Idaho Rebounds plan and the specifics of each stage go to: https://rebound.idaho.gov/stages-of-reopening/

Last Thursday the House introduced bi-partisan sponsored legislation, HB 97, to provide incentives to speed up delivery of Idaho’s coronavirus vaccinations to those who seek them. HB97 would require businesses to administer 70% of vaccination doses within two weeks of receiving them. Unused doses would immediately be sent to a different entity that could use them. The bill also includes a $5,000 fine for businesses that fail to report they’re hanging onto unused doses.

HOUSE HAPPENINGS

The House also passed HB 66 in 46-24 vote on Wednesday, which limits ballot questions regarding bond or levy elections to only the bond or levy being voted on. This means ballots would no longer be able to indicate if a measure simply reauthorized an existing levy. The bill would also create consequences for violations, including allowing courts to overturn election results. It heads to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

HB89, was introduced by Representative Chad Christensen and Senator Christy Zito, which would authorize any school staffer with an enhanced concealed weapons permit to carry a concealed gun on school property. They’d have to inform their principal or superintendent, who then would have to notify law enforcement. The bill would forbid the display of “Gun-Free School Zone” signs at any public school as well.

Also on Wednesday, HB 90 was passed the House State Affairs Committee, forbidding the renaming of any school, street, or park now named for a historical figure or event unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution giving permission for the change.

SENATE HAPPENINGS

Last Wednesday, the Senate voted 24-11 in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 101, a constitutional amendment to ban all psychoactive drugs not already legalized in Idaho by 2020. It is now in the House State Affairs Committee. Anyone interested in submitting testimony to that committee, please send your written testimony to hstaf@house.idaho.gov, and request the committee secretary share it with all the committee members.

That same day, the Senate also approved a new version of the Wrongful Conviction Act in a unanimous vote. This legislation, which provides compensation to people who were wrongfully convicted, was passed by both the Senate and House last year, but later vetoed by the governor.

STEPS FOR SCHOOLS

For the month of February, we are participating in the Blue Cross Steps for Schools walking challenge (Muffy’s rolling). This terrific program is put on each February by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health and gives elected officials a chance to be active and earn money for a school or school district. This year Rep. Toone is walking to raise money for Gooding Elementary School and Rep. Davis is rolling to raise money for Alturas Elementary. We have raised money for schools/districts each session. Good luck to our House Democratic walkers!

Steps for Schools helps remind us how important it is for us to be physically active during the session and encourage young people to be active. The money donated to the schools can be used for equipment or to support programming that encourages kids to exercise.

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is a nonprofit private foundation that is dedicated to addressing the root causes to some of Idaho’s most pressing health issues.

USS IDAHO

A new nuclear submarine will bear the name USS IDAHO in 2022. There have been 4 USS Idaho’s with the last vessel christened back in 1927. The USS Idaho will bring a continued navy connection to Idaho. The crest as shown here symbolizes Idaho and all the wonders we have in our state. There are gems from Idaho shown as well as huckleberries, the syringa, the falcon, and 5 feathers representing our 5 native tribes can all be seen. Idaho’s Motto, “Esto Perpetua” or “let it be perpetual”, is perfect for a nuclear-powered submarine. A pin of this crest will be worn by sailors assigned the USS Idaho.

February 2021 Blaine County Update

February Greetings, All

With 2020's election cycle finally over, and the 2021 state legislative session now in full swing, the following is a quick read to help everyone stay connected and engaged with our local Democratic Party organization.

Stay safe out there—and get vaccinated asap!

Jeremy Fryberger

Chair, Blaine County Democrats

blainecountydems@gmail.com

208.720.6863

Closing Comments on 2020

Foremost, Blaine County Democrats thanks all of our voters and volunteers for helping to re-elect state reps. Muffy Davis and Sally Toone, state senator Michelle Stennett, and county commissioner Jacob Greenberg! These victories wouldn't have happened without Blaine County's strong grassroots effort.

In addition, we are ever grateful for critical help from rookie MVP field organizer Whitney Johnson, veteran public policy guru Kathryn Goldman/ Wood River Consulting, and digital wizard Chad Gammel/ Idaho NextGen Consulting. These three have a standing invitation to join any Blaine County Dems campaign.

Finally (regarding 2020, that is), I'd like to close the books on our recent election season by noting just how remarkable it was; remarkable because of the challenges to campaigning, getting out the vote (gotv) and voting during a pandemic; remarkable due to an extraordinarily ugly/Trumpy national political landscape; and remarkable because of incredibly high turnout. We're likely all hoping for a very different, less exhausting cycle leading up to 2022.

Looking Ahead to 2021 & Beyond

Odd-number years are almost always politically quieter than even years. Nevertheless, our local municipalities and various other taxing districts will hold (non-partisan) elections, mostly in November. We'll keep you informed as these events draw nearer.

In addition, odd-number years—also called "off" years—are when we must focus on building out our team. As such, we're always looking to register new voters, add volunteers, and fill vacant precinct captain positions. For instance, if you live in Sun Valley/Elkhorn, South Woodside, Poverty Flats, Gannett/Picabo, or Carey, contact me about joining our team as a precinct captain. (The salary may not be great, but working to save the world is definitely noble.) Also contact me if you'd simply like to volunteer—regardless of where you live. (We need lots of help with a food preparation event Feb. 22-23, and 25-26.)

Lastly, encourage every likely Democrat whom you know to join this mailing list; they can sign up at blainecountydems@gmail.com.

February 6, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." --Winston Churchill

DEMOGRAPHICS

As we move forward with policy, we need to take into account the demographic lay of the land. Based on drivers licenses surrendered when moving into Idaho, the largest net gain of people moving to Idaho in 2020 did so from California, Utah, and Washington, with California providing the largest number.

ELECTIONS

This week the Senate State Affairs Committee heard a presentation from Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane and Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck on the 2020 elections. Despite many challenges, Idaho's elections were very successful.

Presidential election years always see higher turnout and this Presidential election year saw our highest turnout since 1980 with an 81% statewide turnout. This high turnout came in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in absentee voting being higher than in-person voting for the first time in Idaho.

Other pandemic-related differences included a covid positive site in Ada County, where people with Covid-19 could vote without risking the health of poll workers or other voters; record early voting; and 82 state employees trained and prepared to act as emergency replacements for poll workers who contracted Covid-19.

The legislature is considering several election-related bills. It is worth noting, as we consider opportunities for improvement and work through those bills, that Idaho rated among the very best of the states on election integrity in the 2020 elections.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Statewide Covid-19 cases and deaths have trended downward recently. You can find detailed information on covid-19 numbers on the Idaho Novel Coronavirus website.

Governor Little announced on Tuesday that, in light of these trends, he has moved the State from Stage 2 to Stage 3. The Governor made this move even though the previously established criteria for lower ICU usage had not been met. The Governor has faced significant pushback from the legislature over his emergency declarations and health orders.

Review the new statewide Stage 3 Stay Healthy Guidelines. Please note that local restrictions issued by public health districts or cities may still be in place.

At the same time as Idaho is easing its statewide stay healthy order, we are among the worst two states in the nation (the other is Missouri) in getting vaccines administered, with under five percent of the population vaccinated.

Idaho has been receiving only 21,000 doses per week, which are shipped to approximately 350 Idaho enrolled providers. We are receiving only 30 percent of what we need and are the third lowest in receiving vaccine doses in the nation. The Biden Administration is bumping us up to 25,000 doses per week and this increase is eminent. However, this still leaves us with no path forward to ending the pandemic soon. It remains important that we all follow public health advice to protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors in the meantime.

You can find more information on vaccine availability on the South Central Public Health District, including a form to sign up for a wait list for a vaccination through the district and a list of other providers.

February 2, 2021: Rep. Sally Toone & Rep. Muffy Davis Session Update

THE STRUGGLE OF POWER

The legislature seems focused on the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches this week with several bills and resolutions aimed at limiting the Governor's ability to sustain a declaration of emergency. This concern has arisen in the context of the covid-19 pandemic and the Governor's responses to it. Governor Little said ending the emergency declaration would mean "less vaccine, more taxes and more red tape" in a recent press conference.

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. Ending the emergency order would jeopardize the state's access to federal aid, distributed to local communities, Little said

Unfortunately both bodies have introduced and delayed at least 4 resolutions and bills attempting to limit the governor’s emergency powers and end Idaho’s state of emergency amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office issued an opinion saying "the Legislature only possesses the authority granted to it through Idaho's Constitution. Legislative authority . . . of the Idaho Constitution is exercised through the constitutional requirements for lawmaking, and a concurrent resolution does not meet the constitutional requirements for lawmaking."

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR IDAHO CITIZENS TO CONSIDER

SJR 101 is a proposed Constitutional amendment that would forbid the state from legalizing any psychoactive drugs that weren't already legal in 2020, including future medical breakthroughs, Also, if passed, it would effectively operate as a permanent ban on hemp, medical cannabis and, under current code, even most CBD oil, because a product containing any quantity of THC is considered a Schedule 1 drug in Idaho. These products are commonly utilized to help pain management for cancer patients and individuals with chronic diseases and seizures. This amendment would also ban hemp and punish hemp farmers.

Dr. Dan Zuckerman, a veteran cancer oncologist at St. Luke's Medical Center in Boise, confirmed that passage of this Constitutional amendment would reduce health care opportunities for Idahoans who are enduring severe, intense pain. Hemp and CBD oil are legal federally in all states except Idaho and this bill would jeopardize our ability to consider any use of them in the future. It would diminish Idahoans' health care options.

The proposed amendment would allow any product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in Idaho. However, the FDA has no statutory authority to approve a plant and is solely responsible for food and drugs, regulating drugs made by pharmacy companies. This is misleading to the general public. Many natural products and medicines are plant based.

The proposed amendment passed the Senate State Affairs committee and will be voted on in the Senate February 2nd. If it passes the House and Senate by two-thirds vote, voters will see it on the ballot for the next general election.

MEDICAL CANNIBUS DISCUSSION

In the House, a bipartisan bill to legalize medical cannabis will be introduced in the next couple of weeks. The legislation was written by Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber, who is terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer. Idaho is the only Veteran's Administration Hospital in the nation not to use some form of medical cannabis. Take a moment and hear his story here

HAPPENINGS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

On Monday, Jan. 25, the House voted 55-15 in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 2 to end all COVID-related limits on gatherings statewide. That same day, a bill was introduced in the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee to prohibit municipalities from regulating deposits and fees for rental properties.

The Education Committee introduced 3 pieces of legislation this past week addressing COVID-19 policies in K-12 schools and higher education as well as a certification bill.

Rep. Chad Christensen, R-Iona, introduced articles of impeachment against Gov. Brad Little. He argues Little violated the First Amendment’s right to assemble, as well as prevented large gatherings in a public park.

The two sides’ Health and Welfare Committees also are working with Idaho’s seven public health districts on several proposals to update their authorizing statutes. A bill is currently in the works on the House side to limit health district’s powers.

SENATE HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK

On Friday, Senate Joint Resolution 101 was approved in a 6-2 party-line vote in the Senate State Affairs Committee. SJR 101 is the constitutional amendment to ban all psychoactive drugs not already legalized in Idaho by 2020.

On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Senate voted 27-7 along party lines in support of Senate Bill 1022, which would transfer $4 million into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.

The Senate Finance Committee also voted 8-2 to advance Senate Bill 1033, which increases annual funding for legislative operations by 26%.

That same day, the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee passed the Wrongful Conviction Act in a unanimous vote. This legislation, which provides compensation to people who were wrongfully convicted, was passed by both the Senate and House last year, but later vetoed by the governor. We will see where it goes this year.

52 HOURS IN THE STATEHOUSE

Thank you to my substitute for these last few days. I needed to return home to take care of a family health issue. Thank you Karma Metzler-Fitzgerald for helping out our Legislative District 26

My time in Boise was mostly dedicated to housekeeping and gathering information. While sitting in Sally’s committee seats I heard reports from Idaho’s college and universities about the changes made to accommodate students during the pandemic and the plans they have to move the schools and their students in the new normal. I heard from the Idaho Potato Commission about its ability to pivot and move product when the world shut down. The Department of Commerce told us about its efforts to expand broadband services in underserved areas, which includes some areas of District 26. In general, good things are coming our way.

Jan. 28, the opening prayer from the house chaplain included the line, “Leadership is a key element to hope and hope is something we all need.” There is no better example of leadership and hope than District 26’s own Jorge Pulleiro of Wood River Middle School in Hailey. He is Idaho’s Teacher of the Year. He is an immigrant, a US Veteran and a passionate teacher who leads and inspires his students to be the best people they can be. He is a perfect example of the resilience and dedication of the people in this district and he’ll represent us well.

I loved my time in the Statehouse and am honored that Sally asked me to step in for her last week.

FACTS BY THE NUMBERS

According to a recent article in the Times News "The Big Story," we are reminded about the distractions of the road and the safety we all need to be aware of. Idaho's traffic clock:

• A traffic crash occurs every 20 minutes

• A person was killed in a crash every 39 hours

• A person was injured in a crash every 40 minutes

• A motorcyclist was injured in a crash every 19 hours

• A bicyclist was injured in a crash every 32 hours

• A pedestrian was injured every 37 hours

• A person was killed in an aggressive driving crash every 6 days

• An unbelted passenger was killed every 4 days

• A person was killed in an impaired driving crash every 4 days

• Please take the time to practice road safety and watch out for others as well.

January 30, 2021: Senator Michelle Stennett - Legislative Session Update

"Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful." --Margaret J. Wheatley

PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION

SJR 101 is a proposed Constitutional amendment that would forbid the state from legalizing any psychoactive drugs that weren't already legal in 2020, including future medical breakthroughs, Also, if passed, it would effectively operate as a permanent ban on medical cannabis and, under current code, even most CBD oil, because a product containing any quantity of THC is considered a Schedule 1 drug in Idaho. These products are commonly utilized to help pain management for cancer patients and individuals with chronic diseases and seizures.

Dr. Dan Zuckerman, a veteran cancer oncologist at St. Luke's Medical Center in Boise, confirmed that passage of this Constitutional amendment would reduce health care opportunities for Idahoans who are enduring severe, intense pain. Hemp and CBD oil are legal federally in all states except Idaho and this bill would jeopardize our ability to consider legalizing them in the future. So, SJR 101 could put the state at an economic and medical disadvantage. It would diminish Idahoans' health care options.

The proposed amendment passed the Senate State Affairs committee. If it passes the House and Senate by two-thirds vote, voters will see it on the ballot for the next general election.

BSU ANNUAL SURVEY

The School of Public Service at Boise State University continues a polling tradition in Idaho with the Idaho Public Policy Survey. The annual survey asks a statistically significant sample of Idaho adults about public policy issues of interest to researchers, the media and the public.

The survey provides a wealth of Idaho-specific information. Notable results in this year's survey include:

• 49% of Idahoans believe the state is headed in the right direction, down from 56% last year.

• 76% believe Idaho's elections are secure.

• Education is again at the top of the list of issues Idahoans want the Legislature to address, then jobs and the economy, and then healthcare.

• 55% of Idahoans would get a covid-19 vaccine today if it were available to them.

• There is majority support for a statewide mask mandate.

FUNDING LITIGATION

An appropriation to fund the Legislative Legal Defense Fund for $4 million this year passed the Senate and is headed to the House. The Fund has spent nearly $8.5 million in the last 5 years mostly for outside legal counsel and litigation instead of using the Attorney General's Office at a much more affordable rate. The Speaker of the House and the ProTem of the Senate have complete discretion with these funds, without oversight or scrutiny-as they recently did to sue the Secretary of the Treasury over office space and recently to defend against an ADA lawsuit brought by Representatives Muffy Davis and Sue Chew seeking accommodations in light of the pandemic.

With the legislature's current focus on oversight and limiting authority, we might be wise to turn our eyes on ourselves and consider how accountable we are in spending taxpayer dollars.

COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE

As we go forward into the next week's opening phase of vaccinations for 65 and older, there are not enough doses of vaccine for this to go quickly. The Governor says it will take over two months to vaccinate this group. This link has information and locations for vaccinations.