This session, we have seen endless legislation related to the consolidation of power by the extreme right. It began with stripping power from other elected officials. This included restricting the governor’s power to act in an emergency, limiting the attorney general’s job responsibilities, and pulling power from local elected officials. More recently, the extreme right has targeted voters by passing …
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Due to the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases occurring in the Statehouse, the Idaho Legislature will recess until April 6. Democratic Leaders Ilana Rubel and Michelle Stennett said they wish the individuals who’ve tested positive a full and speedy recovery, and are thankful for the decision to take a two-week pause. However, it shouldn’t have taken an outbreak for lawmakers …
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The Senate narrowly killed S1108 in a 17-18 vote Thursday. The GOP-sponsored legislation sought to cap local governments’ budgets in an effort to lower property taxes for residents. However, opponents of the bill, which included all seven Democrats, said it provided minimal relief at great expense to cities and counties, forcing cuts to vital services, such as police, paramedics and …
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On Wednesday, the House GOP passed a House Bill 332 in a 58-12 party-line vote, prompting Democrats to immediately call a news conference. House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel and Assistant House Democratic Leader Lauren Necochea spoke on the legislation, which slashes income tax rates with the benefits flowing overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income spectrum. The legislation …
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Opposition to “social justice” by the Idaho Legislature, while troubling, is not surprising. If you are in a majority, who has experienced power and advantage, it’s uncomfortable to admit you’ve been part of an unfair system. This may be why Republican politicians are defunding education programs that teach a more complete story of American history. Republican legislators have leveled an …
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On Friday, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced HB332, a bill to slash income tax rates with the benefits flowing overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income spectrum. The legislation also provides a lopsided one-time tax rebate equivalent to 9% of a taxpayer’s state income tax due in 2019, or a floor of $50 per person. Under …
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You’re being bamboozled. Republican Party leaders repeatedly say you should be afraid of “tax-and-spend Democrats.” Instead, there are over two billion reasons you should be afraid of them. Over the last five years, the legislature has forced school districts across the state to float nearly $2.1 BILLION in local bonds and levies. This includes many conservative, rural school districts across the …
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On Monday, the House State Affairs Committee voted 12-2 to send Senate Bill 1110 to the full House, despite overwhelmingly negative testimony against the legislation, which seeks to add additional hurdles to the ballot initiative and referendum process in Idaho. The two Democrats on the committee, Reps. John Gannon and Chris Mathias, were the only opposing votes. Mathias, who grew …
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When I started my first term in 2019, nearly every long-time Capitol observer told me it was the worst legislative session they ever experienced. In 2020, they told me that was the worst legislative session ever. And now they’re saying in 2021 this is the worst session ever – and we’re only at the halfway mark. Why is that? Well, …
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Idaho’s politicians have all kinds of snappy quotes about health insurance. How it doesn’t keep you healthy, and how no one’s every died from not having it — but that’s simply not true. Research shows those with health insurance are healthier than those without because they can access regular doctor’s visits and preventative care. Helping everyone access health insurance should …
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