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 from the Senate, specifically, coming back into session after adjourning in May, not recessing like the House. No mechanism exists for the body to reconvene once its members officially sine die unless the governor calls a special session.
The three said the majority isn’t adhering to proper protocol, and seem more focused on political grandstanding than passing legally-sound legislation aimed at mitigating the state’s ongoing health crisis. Since Sept. 16, Idaho has been in crisis standards of care.
Senate Republicans are expected to propose a bill to set up another defense fund to join other state legal actions against the Biden administration over its COVID-19 rules for employers. Like the Constitutional Defense Fund, this legal defense fund would authorize the legislature to give sole power to the speaker of the House and the Senate pro-tem to use state funds to pay for litigation expenses, such as hiring outside counsel.
“Other states have been leading this charge and already filed lawsuits against the Biden administration; there’s no need for Idaho to be spending its own money,” Burgoyne said. “We should wait for the federal courts to make a decision rather than writing another blank check to lawyers.”
The group told reporters Senate Democrats have drafted legislation to direct COVID-19 relief funds to help Idaho workers and their families. Some of the bill’s provisions include:
- Reimbursing employers for wages paid to staff in need of time off to get the vaccine and recover from any side effects, or assist a family member in getting it or their recovery
- Rapid testing for businesses and schools
- Compensation for anyone missing work after contracting COVID-19 or being exposed
- A sick-leave bank for all public employees and school personnel
- One-time bonus payments to essential workers
“If we’re going to be here, we should be doing some actual good for Idahoans, not misusing their hard-earned tax dollars on likely unconstitutional bills,” Stennett said.
“People across our state are struggling, especially our teachers. We are sitting on more than two billion in state and federal funds right now. Why not direct some of that money toward helping Idaho’s working families?” Ward-Engelking said. “Let’s not continue to sit on it; let’s invest it in our people when they need it most.