January 12, 2022

House GOP Rush to Introduce Lopsided Tax Cut

Idaho House Republicans introduced a sweeping tax bill on the third day of the 2022 session, carrying with it a huge price tag. The proposed one-time tax rebate increases with income level, so the higher one’s income is, the more money they will receive. The ongoing revenue cuts also direct the largest benefits to the top of the income spectrum. …

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December 25, 2021

Little Appoints Bellevue Mayor to Open District 26 House Seat

Gov. Brad Little appointed Bellevue Mayor Ned Burns to the open District 26 House seat Thursday following the resignation of former Rep. Muffy Davis, who was recently selected to serve on the Blaine County Board of Commissioners. Burns, who will complete Davis’s remaining term for 2022, served on the Bellevue city council before being elected mayor in 2018 and again …

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November 15, 2021

Dems Support House Vote, Ethics Committee Recommendation on Giddings Complaint

On Monday, the House voted to adopt the recommendation by the ethics committee to remove Rep. Priscilla Giddings from the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Democrats issued the following statement on the decision: “Our caucus is supportive of today’s bipartisan decision, which mirrors the recommendation made by the House Ethics Committee in August. We thank the committee members for their …

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May 13, 2021

House GOP Leaves $6 Million Early Childhood Education Grant Hanging on Calendar

The Idaho House of Representatives voted to recess without taking action on Senate Bill 1193, effectively turning away a federal preschool development grant for $6 million. Communities across Idaho have been meeting for months to design homegrown early learning programs for young children. The $6 million grant would have flowed to these communities for implementation of their plans, which include …

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May 4, 2021

House Democratic Caucus Supports Rep. Mathias in Higher Ed Debate

The House Democratic Caucus released the following statement after far-right lawmakers objected to Rep. Chris Mathias’ debate on the higher education budget: “We stand with Rep. Mathias — the Idaho Legislature’s first and only black male representative, as well as the former chief academic officer for the State Board of Education — who stood today to fight for our state’s …

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May 3, 2021

House GOP Proposes Irresponsible Property Tax Bill

In the House Ways and Means Committee Monday, GOP lawmakers introduced a grossly irresponsible property tax bill, providing residents with minimal relief and potentially harming those most in need. If the homeowner’s exemption had not been capped at $100,000 by Republicans in 2016, it would be worth $150,000 in the current year, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission. “To …

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April 22, 2021

House GOP Passes Bill to Restrict Educators as a Condition of Funding Education

On Thursday, 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. House Bill 377 was opposed by all Democrats, and passed along party lines, 57-12. …

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