2025 Legislative Session News
“A Bipartisan Plan to Help an Idaho Hero” – by Reps. Ilana Rubel and Mike Kingsley
Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber, a proud Idahoan, served 22 years in the Air Force with distinction. He deployed to three continents, and among the many honors he received are several Meritorious Service Medals and the National Veterans of Foreign Wars “Beyond the Call” Award....
Democratic Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Outlaw Conversion Therapy in Idaho
Rep. John McCrostie, D-Garden City, introduced House Bill 52 Wednsday to protect LGBTQ young people from the harmful practice of conversion therapy. Several major health organizations have discredited conversion therapy. According to the Trevor Project’s 2020 National...
Senate Minority Leaders Respond to Anti-drug Bill Proposed in State Affairs Committee
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard long testimony Monday on Senate Joint Resolution 101, a constitutional amendment which would forbid the state from legalizing any psychoactive drug in the future that wasn't already legal in 2020, including any medical...
Idaho Democrats Respond to Statement Issued by House Republicans
The Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus issued the following response Monday in regard to a recent statement released by the Idaho House Republican Caucus: It is ridiculous for GOP leadership to suggest the motion was brought for publicity or fundraising purposes. Every...
Idaho House Republicans Vote Down Motion to Allow Remote Testimony for Members with Physical Impairments
A motion to allow for remote testimony was denied Friday in Idaho House of Representatives in a 49-to-11 vote. Rep. Muffy Davis, D-Ketchum, made the motion just after the House convened at 9 a.m. It applied to individuals who have a physical impairment putting them at...
Idaho Democrats Present 2021 Legislative Priorities
Democratic lawmakers presented a slate of legislative priorities for the 2021 session in a news conference Monday at the Statehouse in Boise. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, and House Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, discussed...
“Public Health Is for Patriots Too” – by Rep. Colin Nash
A common refrain heard from the chorus of folks who view public health measures as an affront to their rights is, “What would the founders think?” While speculating about the hypothetical political opinions of people who died a quarter-millennium ago may be a...
“A moral budget would prioritize Idaho’s working families” – by Rep. Lauren Necochea
As the saying goes, “Don’t tell me what your values are. Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what your values are.” Our annual state budget transforms the values of our lawmakers into action: how deeply we care about children, seniors, education, health care access...
Democratic Lawmakers Present Slate of Property Tax Solutions
On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers demonstrated their continued commitment to restoring fairness to Idaho’s property tax system, and presented multiple proposals to better protect homeowners as home prices rapidly rise. Sen. Grant Burgoyne, Rep. John Gannon, and Rep....
“Use Idaho’s Excess Revenues to Save Lives, Not More Money” – by Sen. Melissa Wintrow
What if you were hanging on the edge of a cliff and your friend leaned down and started rapping hard on your fingers, at the same time telling you it will be alright? Unfortunately, that’s what some Idaho politicians are doing to citizens trying to access vital...
Open Letter to Governor Little: Idaho Needs Your Leadership
Dear Governor Little, Idaho is at a crossroads and human lives are at stake. As Nurse Connelly said during your press conference, 3,000 people died in the U.S. from COVID-19 today alone. That is more than the number of lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack. The...
Governor Little Takes Idaho Back to Stage 2 and Deploys National Guard
On Friday, Governor Brad Little announced that the Idaho National Guard would be mobilized through executive order to assist in the response to the coronavirus pandemic. He also rolled Idaho back to Stage 2 of the Idaho Rebounds plan with modifications to the...
Governor Little Moves Idaho to Stage 3 of Idaho Rebounds Plan
On Monday, Governor Little announced in a press conference that Idaho would be moved back to Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds plan. On October 27, 2020 at 12:00 am MST, the following restrictions will be put in effect: Indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 or less...
“HJR 4 Just Makes Sense” – by Rep. Ilana Rubel and Rep. Scott Bedke
The ballots submitted by the Republican speaker of the house and the Democratic leader of the house will probably look very different this year, but there is one spot where they will look the same. We are both voting “yes” on House Joint Resolution 4, and we encourage...
“Idaho is at a Turning Point” – by James Ruchti
For those of you who followed the Special Session, if your response was similar to mine, you were greatly disturbed by what happened. I'm not talking about the legislation that was passed, although I have concerns with that, as well. I'm talking about the behavior of...
“An Uncivil Waste of Taxpayer Dollars” – by Rep. Chris Abernathy
The special session was more dangerous and uncivil that Idaho citizens could have ever predicted. The week before the special session of the Idaho Legislature began, Idaho Democratic legislators met (virtually) to discuss how to be safe and healthy. We had hoped that...
CFAC Allocates Over $69 Thousand to Boise Police Department for Service During Special Session
Idaho State Capitol – In the committees’ most recent meeting, CFAC allocated $69,052.43 of CARES act funding to the Boise Police Department (BPD). The funding will pay for the officers’ service during the special session of the Idaho legislature in late August. This...
Governor Announces CARES Funding Will Supplement Education Cuts
On Friday afternoon, Governor Little announced that he would use $99 million from the CARES act to supplement the $99 million in education cuts that he announced earlier this year. Representative Melissa Wintrow/(D-Boise) was relieved to hear the announcement from...