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 higher education institutions, which have been under attack by the far right.
We were extremely dismayed that multiple Republican representatives voiced objections to his debate addressing social justice. One objection claimed his discussion of ‘critical race theory’ was irrelevant, even though the objectors had themselves invoked ‘critical race theory’ during this debate and debates for many other education funding bills.
Members of the majority party have willfully fanned flames of racial tension and division throughout the Legislative Session — almost always in an attempt to cut public education funding. They showed today they are unwilling to debate social justice issues in good faith or even remotely understand these complex topics, which are central to successfully navigating our society. Instead, they peddle conspiracy theories. It must end. We must get back to investing in a thorough education that will prepare our students to solve complex problems.
We encourage everyone to listen to Rep. Mathias’ debate and start having conversations based in fact.”