The Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee met Thursday to adopt a revenue assessment. The committee’s recommendation was then accepted Friday by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) for budgeting purposes. The Republican legislators on EORAC voted to adopt the governor’s forecast, which was lower than almost every committee member’s, as well as the various modeled projections from experts. House Democratic …
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The Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus released the following statement Friday in response to GOP state leaders threatening a legal action against President Joe Biden for his vaccination plan: “At this historic moment, our state needs to come together to navigate the crisis. We are at a breaking point, as unvaccinated COVID-19 patients flood hospitals statewide, forcing Crisis Standards of Care, …
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On Monday, the Idaho Supreme Court announced its decision to block the implementation of Senate Bill 1110, which would have essentially destroyed Idahoans’ initiative and referendum rights. All House and Senate Democrats voted against the bill, and after its passage, pushed for it to be vetoed by Gov. Brad Little, who instead signed it into law, prompting the lawsuit. Democratic …
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On Thursday, the Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus declared its opposition to reconvening the legislature after the three largest health care systems announced their commitment to protecting their employees and patients by adding COVID vaccinations to existing immunization policies. The current policies have off-ramps and exemptions already in place. Hospitals have a responsibility to all who enter their businesses, whether someone …
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On Wednesday, Gov. Brad Little signed the GOP’s grossly irresponsible property tax bill, which will not lower property taxes for most residents and potentially harms those most in need. The legislation had bipartisan opposition in the House and Senate. Many local officials as well as the AARP testified about the damaging impacts House Bill 389 will have. Those concerns went …
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On Tuesday, Gov. Brad Little announced the state would end its participation in all federal pandemic unemployment compensation programs on June 19, causing further damage to Idaho’s working families, who have endured more than a year of financial hardship. Certain industries, especially those that rely on large in-person gatherings, are still struggling to rebound. Gov. Little has turned his back …
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The Joint Democratic Caucus urges the immediate release of the federal COVID relief funds for child care businesses by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. Idaho’s child care professionals keep our economy running, helping parents and caregivers enter and stay in the workforce, which is more crucial than ever. If we do not provide meaningful support now, the child care …
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The Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus issued the following response Monday in regard to a recent statement released by the Idaho House Republican Caucus: It is ridiculous for GOP leadership to suggest the motion was brought for publicity or fundraising purposes. Every effort was made to resolve this issue in a non-public way, but those efforts were systematically shot down. Friday’s …
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A motion to allow for remote testimony was denied Friday in Idaho House of Representatives in a 49-to-11 vote. Rep. Muffy Davis, D-Ketchum, made the motion just after the House convened at 9 a.m. It applied to individuals who have a physical impairment putting them at increased risk of suffering life-threatening consequences if they were to contract COVID-19, like Davis, …
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