2025 Legislative Session News
Democrats Support Gov. Little’s Decision To Veto Emergency Power Bills
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...
“Voters must not reward their own suppression” – by Rep. Ilana Rubel
The ballot initiative is the voice of the people. It’s the only mechanism for Idahoans to enact a law when legislators won’t listen. This session, Idahoans’ ballot initiative rights were put on the chopping block, and GOP legislators swung the axe. It’s already...
Dem-Sponsored Bill to End Spousal Rape Exception Moves to Governor’s Desk After Unanimous Passage in Senate, House
On Wednesday, the House passed Senate Bill 1089 in a unanimous vote, repealing a portion of Idaho law that provides exceptions to the criminal definition of rape based on the relationship of the parties, where those actions are otherwise illegal outside of marriage....
Idaho’s Transportation Future
Investing in infrastructure is something almost all Idahoan’s can agree on, yet we haven’t got it down. This might be the year we can make to make the compromises and get started on it. It’s one of mine and Gov. Brad Little’s top legislative priorities. The recent...
House GOP Passes Bill Making Citizen-driven Ballot Initiatives Virtually Impossible in Idaho
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...
“It’s time to reflect the actual will of the people” – by Rep. James Ruchti
This session, we have seen endless legislation related to the consolidation of power by the extreme right. It began with stripping power from other elected officials. This included restricting the governor’s power to act in an emergency, limiting the attorney...
Idaho Legislature to Close for Two Weeks Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
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...
Senate Narrowly Kills GOP-Sponsored Bill to Cap Local Government Budgets
The Senate narrowly killed S1108 in a 17-18 vote Thursday. The GOP-sponsored legislation sought to cap local governments’ budgets in an effort to lower property taxes for residents. However, opponents of the bill, which included all seven Democrats, said it provided...
House GOP Passes Another Tax Cut Bill to Benefit Wealthy Idahoans
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...
“The Unfounded Fear of Social Justice” – by Sen. Melissa Wintrow
Opposition to “social justice” by the Idaho Legislature, while troubling, is not surprising. If you are in a majority, who has experienced power and advantage, it’s uncomfortable to admit you’ve been part of an unfair system. This may be why Republican politicians are...
House GOP Introduces Another Tax Cut Bill to Benefit Wealthy Idahoans
On Friday, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced HB332, a bill to slash income tax rates with the benefits flowing overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income spectrum. The legislation also provides a lopsided one-time tax rebate equivalent to 9% of...
“The $2 Billion Bamboozle” – by Rep. Steve Berch
You’re being bamboozled. Republican Party leaders repeatedly say you should be afraid of “tax-and-spend Democrats.” Instead, there are over two billion reasons you should be afraid of them. Over the last five years, the legislature has forced school districts across...
SB 1110 Passes House State Affairs Despite Overwhelmingly Negative Testimony
On Monday, the House State Affairs Committee voted 12-2 to send Senate Bill 1110 to the full House, despite overwhelmingly negative testimony against the legislation, which seeks to add additional hurdles to the ballot initiative and referendum process in Idaho. The...
“The Legislative Roller Coaster” – by Rep. Steve Berch
When I started my first term in 2019, nearly every long-time Capitol observer told me it was the worst legislative session they ever experienced. In 2020, they told me that was the worst legislative session ever. And now they’re saying in 2021 this is the worst...
“Medicaid Expansion: A Real Success Story for Idaho” – by Sen. David Nelson
Idaho’s politicians have all kinds of snappy quotes about health insurance. How it doesn’t keep you healthy, and how no one’s every died from not having it — but that’s simply not true. Research shows those with health insurance are healthier than those without...
“The time is right for the Idaho Working Families Agenda” – by Reps. Lauren Necochea and Colin Nash
Work, family and our children. These are the values embedded in the Idaho Working Families Agenda that House Democrats unveiled this week. We propose a package of tax and budget solutions that deliver benefits to Idahoans who are often overlooked. The agenda has three...
Idaho Democrats Discuss Need for Change of Direction in 2021 Session
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...
Property Tax Break for Large Businesses Introduced in House Committee
On Friday, the House majority leader introduced a bill in the Revenue and Taxation Committee to completely eliminate the property tax that businesses pay on their equipment over 10 years. Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, proposed to replace the revenue lost to local...