On Monday, the Idaho Democratic leadership held a press conference to propose a slate of Democratic solutions that would address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and set the state on the path to a better future. Senate Democratic Leader Michelle Stennett/(D-Ketchum) and House Democratic Leader Representative Ilana Rubel/(D-Boise) outlined actions that should be taken at the state level to …
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Childcare is a non-negotiable part of parenthood. Every child will need some form of childcare whether they have a parent staying home, a relative willing to give full-time care, or a close-by daycare center. Idaho parents, unfortunately, face more barriers to accessing quality, affordable childcare than parents in most other states. The Gem State has been ranked last in the …
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Voters rightly elect legislators to be present to debate and vote and Idahoans have a right to participate by viewing the proceedings, communicating their views and participating in public hearings. Citizen participation is expected by the people of Idaho and encouraged by our Federal and State Constitutions. To honor these promises the legislature needs to pass legislation to provide options …
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When someone suspects that they may have coronavirus, we hope that they immediately take steps to get tested so they know if they should self-isolate. Unfortunately, a growing number of Idaho children have difficulty getting tested and treated for coronavirus because they don’t have access to healthcare. The risk of spread to health compromised Idahoans from our children is too …
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Idaho – On June 11th, Idaho’s Community Health Centers will receive a $200,000 grant from the Cambia Health Foundation and PPE donations from Taiwan through the Idaho Office of Emergency Management with facilitation from the United Way of Treasure Valley, in addition to donations directly coming from the Idaho Chinese Organization (ICO). Representative Sue Chew/(D-Boise) assisted in securing the donations …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, Governor Little signed into law a bill that will make electronic smoking devices less accessible to Idaho’s youth. House Bill 538 aims to create parity between traditional tobacco products and new, electronic smoking devices. This legislation allows the Department of Health and Welfare to permit the retailers of vaping products in the same way …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, House State Affairs voted to send HB 525 to the House floor. The legislation would ban any public money from going to Idaho organizations that provide abortions. Under current law, organizations that perform abortions can receive federal funding to provide other health care services. Democrats on the committee voted against the motion to send …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Brooke Green/(D-Boise) was sent to the amending order by the House Business committee. This legislation would protect employees from being penalized for taking earned sick leave. Employers would be required to honor their sick-leave policies without retribution toward employees. “I have heard from several constituents throughout my district that …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Wednesday, House Health and Welfare printed a joint memorial sponsored by Representative Jake Ellis/(D-Boise). The memorial calls on Idaho’s congressional delegation to “take action necessary to make Suboxone more accessible to Idaho families facing opioid addiction.” Suboxone is a medication that satiates cravings by filling opioid receptors and is effective when part of MAT (medication …
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Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, the House Business Committee printed Representative Brooke Green’s/(D-Boise) Honoring Paid Sick Leave legislation. The legislation requires employers who offer paid sick leave to their employees to honor their own policies. Rep. Green brought the legislation after hearing concerns from constituents about employees who are penalized for taking their earned sick leave, in accordance with …
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