EDUCATORS AND IDAHO EDUCATION IN QUESTION. . . DAY 105!!!
The House GOP passed a bill to discourage educators from teaching anything in relation to “social justice,” as a way to pacify far-right legislators, who have held both the public and higher education budgets hostage due to unfounded concerns over curricula in Idaho schools. HB 377 passed on a party-line vote. Read Democrats’ release on the legislation here.
This bill will have a chilling effect on free speech in the classroom.
LAWMAKERS WANT TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SESSION???
The House passed SJR 102 on Tuesday in a 54-15 vote. It would allow lawmakers to call themselves back into special sessions whenever 60% of the members of each House request it. The measure will now go to voters in the 2022 November general election, who must approve it by majority vote to change the Idaho Constitution.
Ironically, it would take 100% of all districts to way in to bring a ballot initiative to the voters. Unfortunately also, are bonds and levies for the state must pass with a 66 2/3% of voters.
WOLF MANAGEMENT QUESTIONED BY ALL SIDES. . .
The Senate passed SB1211 on a party-line vote Thursday, altering how the state manages the wolf populations in Idaho. The new bill would allow the state to hire private contractors to kill up to 90% of the wolves roaming Idaho.
The House Resources and Conservation Committee continued the debate and forwarded SB1211, to the floor on another party-line vote. It was asked to the Fish & Game administrator during the hearing if passed, would it be legal to shoot wolves at night, and further would it be legal to use night vision gear to take wolves, he answered yes to both.
Ethical hunters know when shooting hours are, and if we no longer have them, what is to stop unethical hunters who have a wolf tag to also shoot a big game animal at night? It is a slippery slope and while the majority of hunters would never take a big game animal at night, this would make it impossible for Game Officers to tell whether an animal was taken during shooting hours.
Other concerns are the difficulty in which our ranchers face compensation for loss of livestock. The state of Idaho could loose its primacy in dealing with an "Endangered Species" with the federal management plan if populations change drastically. This legislation would need significant work in several areas, plus it is not supported by the Idaho Fish & Game Commission as well as The Idaho Sportsmen.
ANOTHER INITIATIVE ATTACK. . .
The House moved SB1150 to the amending order after an hour long debate. This bill further restricts the initiative process by requiring all signatures to be gathered in Idaho only. This would take away the initiative rights of those who are Idaho citizens and registered to vote. There were questions about how the bill, which requires initiative signatures to be gathered only while the signer is physically present in the state of Idaho would affect Idahoans serving in the military, either out of state or overseas; Idahoans serving religious missions; college students or those doing business out-of-state. There was speculation that this legislation was designed to prevent those backing an Idaho medical marijuana initiative from collecting signatures.
"SHOUT OUTS" TO THE HAPPENINGS IN DISTRICT 26
Gooding County Historical Museum & Research Center/Schoolhouse will open Saturday, May 1 with a grand celebration! Join us 1:00-4:00 pm for free tour of Museum and historic Thorn Creek School. Refreshments, too!! Speakers Night Lectures 3rd Wednesdays of May, June & July 2021 at 7 pm at Museum
The Soldier Creek Ranch in Camas County has been award the "Century Ranch" status by the Idaho State Historical Society. The ranch is owned and operated by Janet Dennis and family. Congratulations to you and your family.
SENATE HAPPENINGS
ELECTIONS
The Senate killed a House-amended bill, SB1061, that tried, for a second time, to eliminate the August election, despite concerns from school districts across the state that the change would hamper their budget and levy process. House and Senate Democrats were opposed.
The Senate voted to concur with House amendments to a city election bill that would move all non-partisan city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. SB1111 was a consensus bill adjusting rules for by-district elections in Idaho’s largest cities that lawmakers enacted last year. Democrats were opposed.
VETO OVERRIDE FAILS
The Senate failed to override the governor's veto of SB 1136, the emergency powers bill that Gov. Brad Little vetoed on April 16. The Senate's vote was 23-12, one vote short of the two-thirds margin required to override a veto.
HOUSE HAPPENINGS
NEW TAX BILL INTRODUCED
The House passed HB 380, the new version of the big income tax cut. The previous bill, HB 332, is on the Senate amending orders and this attempts to skirt that process. “This is not the bill that our constituents are asking us for,” said Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise. “We would be much better serving them if we sent this money out to counties to reduce property taxes.” All Democrats voted against the legislation.
SINE DIE OR JUST A RECESS. . .
In the House Ways and Means committee on Friday, a concurrent resolution was introduced, authorizing this year’s Legislature to recess until a date no later than Sept. 1, and not receive per diem for expenses in the meantime when they’re not actually convened. It would be the decision of the Speaker of the House and Senate Pro Tem.
