On Wednesday, the Idaho House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan joint memorial condemning Russia for its military invasion of Ukraine, which began last Thursday. House Joint Memorial 6, sponsored by Reps. Matt Bundy (R-Mountain Home) and Colin Nash (D-Boise), commends the bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian people in defending their country from Russian troops, and asks Gov. Brad …
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The GOP railroaded a lopsided tax proposal through the House that overwhelmingly benefits profitable corporations and people with the highest incomes. House Bill 436 passed and now moves to the Senate. All Democrats voted against the legislation, and instead advocated more critical tax solutions, such as reducing property taxes or repealing the sales tax on groceries — both of which …
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We could not believe our eyes when we read a recent op-ed from Idaho House GOP leadership scapegoating local government for the property tax crisis created by GOP legislators themselves. We must set the record straight. While it may be county officials mailing you the bill, don’t blame the messengers. The jaw-dropping number on that bill is not due to …
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On Tuesday, Idaho Democratic leaders announced the three individuals they plan to appoint to the 2021 Idaho Citizen Commission for Reapportionment. Senate Democratic Leader Michelle Stennett will appoint Dan Schmidt, a physician from Moscow, Idaho, where he has practiced family medicine for 32 years. Schmidt attended Stanford University before completing his education at University of Washington School of Medicine: WWAMI …
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Just a day after Gov. Brad Little vetoed legislation seeking to trim his emergency powers, he signed Senate Bill 1110 into law, destroying the initiative and referendum rights of the people. The bill seeks to make an already onerous process ostensibly impossible by doubling the district signature requirements needed, rising to 6% of signatures of registered voters in all 35 …
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On Friday, Gov. Brad Little vetoed legislation seeking to trim the powers of the governor in disaster emergencies and increase those of the Legislature. Both House Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1136 were opposed by the House and Senate Democrats. House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel said Little made the right choice to veto the two bills, and hopes he’ll do …
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In a 51-18 vote, House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1110, which seeks to add nearly insurmountable hurdles to the ballot initiative and referendum process in Idaho. House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, debated strongly against it, and said the bill seeks to make an already onerous process ostensibly impossible by doubling the district signature requirements needed. Rubel said Idaho already …
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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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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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The Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus held a virtual news conference Wednesday highlighting the need to “put people over power plays,” emphasizing the urgency to move away from bills that grab more power for the legislature and instead use the limited remaining time in the 2021 Legislative Session to address education, property taxes and infrastructure. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel and …
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