2025 Legislative Session News
“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...
Idaho Democrats Deeply Disappointed in Little’s Decision to Withdraw from Federal Unemployment Programs
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...
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...
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...
Senate Democratic Caucus Urges the Defeat of HB 380
This week, the Senate will likely vote on House Bill 380, legislation that slashes income tax rates with the benefits flowing overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income spectrum. Sen. Ali Rabe, who argued against it in the Senate Local Government and Taxation...
Joint Democratic Caucus Calls on JFAC to Release Relief Funds for Child Care Businesses
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...
House Democrats Support Ethics Committee Recommendation, Resignation of Rep. von Ehlinger
The House Democratic Caucus issued this statement following the resignation of Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger: “We are in awe of Jane Doe’s bravery in coming forward and testifying before the House Ethics Committee. We also applaud the other women who spoke during the...
Senate GOP Expedites Passage of HB 377 as a Condition for Funding Education in Idaho
The Senate passed House Bill 377 in a 27-8 vote Monday in hopes of pacifying far-right lawmakers, who have held both the public and higher education budgets hostage due to unfounded concerns over curricula in Idaho schools. The legislation, which passed out of the...
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...
Democrats Disappointed in Gov. Little’s Decision to Sign SB 1110
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...