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 extremely difficult to get an initiative on the ballot, but S1110 would make it essentially impossible by …
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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 make an already onerous process ostensibly impossible by doubling the district signature requirements needed. Rubel said Idaho already …
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A hundred years ago, in 1920, the United States came out of the First World War and celebrated a new decade and a changing world. The world was recovering from the Spanish flu pandemic, the automobile industry was beginning to take off, and Americans wrestled with Prohibition. The country was undergoing drastic changes in industry, culture, politics, and so much …
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Most people understand that the role of a legislator is to help write the laws that govern us. That’s what we do from January through March when the state legislature is in session. However, there’s another part of the job that is seldom discussed – being a public servant. My work doesn’t stop when the session ends. What does it …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Tuesday, Senator David Nelson/(D-Moscow) announced his plans to run for re-election for the District 5 Senate seat. Sen. Nelson will complete his first term in the Idaho legislature during the 2020 session. “Idahoans deserve access to the highest quality of education.” Sen. Nelson explained. “Our education system needs some serious work if we want to …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, Senator Mark Nye/(D-Pocatello) announced that he would be running for re-election to the Idaho Senate. Sen. Nye served one in the Idaho House (2014-2016) and is currently finishing his second term in the Idaho Senate. “I am committed to fighting for Pocatello in the Idaho legislature.” Sen. Nye said. “I have worked to advocate …
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Boise, Idaho – On Monday, Senator Grant Burgoyne/(D-Boise) announced his plans to run for re-election for the District 16 Senate seat. Sen. Burgoyne has served 3 terms in the Idaho Senate. Prior to that, he served three terms in the Idaho House of Representatives. While in the legislature, Senator Burgoyne has fought for Medicaid Expansion, free college courses and the …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, Representative Melissa Wintrow/(D-Boise) announced that she will run for the open Senate seat in District 19 in the upcoming 2020 election. Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb/(D-Boise) announced on February 17, 2020 that she will not run for re-election to the Idaho Senate, leaving her seat open. Rep. Wintrow is currently serving her third term in the …
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“Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” That quote from Maya Angelou perfectly captures my feelings as I announce the end of my legislative tenure. I will not run for reelection in 2020. It has been an honor to serve the state of Idaho and its citizens during my ten years in the Idaho Legislature, two years in the House …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Tuesday, the Idaho House Democrats held elections for new House Democratic Leadership. Representative Mat Erpelding/(D-Boise) resigned from the Idaho House of Representatives on December 6, 2019, leaving his position as Idaho House Democratic Leader vacant. Representative Ilana Rubel/(D-Boise), the Assistant House Minority Leader at the time, ran for the position of House Minority Leader. With …
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