2025 Legislative Session News
“An Open Letter to Scott Yenor: We Aren’t Going Anywhere” – by Sen. Melissa Wintrow
Dear Mr. Yenor, Words matter… Your recent divisive words mattered, but in a way you may not have expected — they actually united the very group of “medicated, meddlesome, and quarrelsome” women you hoped to segregate and diminish. People across Idaho are raising their...
Little Appoints Carrie Semmelroth to Open District 17 Senate Seat
On Wednesday, Gov. Brad Little appointed Carrie Semmelroth to the open District 17 Senate seat following Sen. Ali Rabe’s resignation after moving to a new district. Semmelroth, who will serve out Rabe’s remaining term for 2022, works in the College of Education at...
“Political malpractice” — by Rep. Steve Berch
One of my west Ada County legislative colleagues spilled the beans. Arguing against being too hasty, this colleague countered during floor debate: “We haven’t been hasty. We’ve been working on some of these bills since July.” Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...
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...
Senate Democrats Against Legislature’s Return, Stress Need for Change in Priorities
During a news conference Friday, Senate Democrats pushed back against the Idaho Legislature’s return to the Statehouse next week. Sens. Michelle Stennett, Grant Burgoyne, and Janie Ward-Engelking raised concerns about the possible legal ramifications that could stem...
“Adding fuel to Idaho’s health care crisis” – by Sen. David Nelson and Rep. Chris Mathias
We serve on the Idaho Legislature’s interim federalism committee, which evaluates and monitors federal law and its impact on our state. In this context, there are many important issues we could work on: improving access to public lands, building better relationships...
“Charting a different path for Idaho” – by Rep. James Ruchti
“What’s wrong with the Idaho Legislature?” I’ve been asked that question often since leaving the Capitol in May. Prior to arriving in Boise in January, I was told to expect a vastly different environment than what I had experienced during my previous two terms in the...
“Our property tax crisis requires solutions, not scapegoats” – by Reps. Ilana Rubel, Lauren Necochea, and Sally Toone
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...
Idaho Democrats Urge GOP Leaders to Mitigate COVID Crisis, Not Waste Taxpayer Money in Potential Federal Lawsuit
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...
“A giant step forward for Idaho” – by Sen. David Nelson and Rep. Brooke Green
All Idahoans deserve the opportunity to enjoy the highest quality of life, and for this to happen, necessary improvements must be made to the state’s behavioral health system. Behavioral health issues impact our communities at all levels: schools, hospitals, courts,...
Democratic Lawmakers Applaud Idaho Supreme Court’s Decision to Block Implementation of SB 1110
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,...
“It’s time to address Idaho’s housing crisis” – by Sen. Ali Rabe
Idaho continues to make national news for its booming real estate market as people flock to the Gem State in droves, causing home values and rental costs to skyrocket. As a result, people who've lived here for generations are being forced to move to other states. In...
Idaho Democratic Leaders Select Commissioners for Redistricting Committee
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...
“It’s time to start a dialogue” – by Sen. Melissa Wintrow and Shiva Rajbhandari
The following is a conversation between Sen. Melissa Wintrow and Boise High student Shiva Rajbhandari on the exclusion of students in discussions about public education. Wintrow: You were in school when allegations of teachers indoctrinating students started to...
Democratic Leaders Opposed to Legislature Being Called Back
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...
“Critical thinking on life-support” – by Rep. Steve Berch
When I was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 2018, I requested, and was assigned to the Education committee. Given the challenges facing education, such as endless school bonds and levies, a teacher attrition crisis and childhood illiteracy, I was eager...
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...
Little Signs Irresponsible Property Tax Bill
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...