So what did our GOP-dominated Legislature do during these critical weeks? Did it beef up our unemployment insurance system so the expected flood of claims could be processed quickly and efficiently? Afraid not. Laid-off workers were left with a totally inadequate system that left their claims unpaid and their calls unanswered for months.

Did our Legislature help Idaho schools prepare to shift to a remote learning model? Nope – not a peep about training teachers, improving student broadband access, or providing resources that would have enabled a successful transition to online education. What about property tax relief, for which citizens had been begging for months? Another big no – the party in charge blocked six different property tax relief bills sponsored by Democrats.

Instead of focusing on providing help to Idaho’s people and businesses, the GOP supermajority spent these precious weeks ramming through bills on every divisive social issue they could think of. Most notably, over the strenuous objection of every Democratic legislator, they passed the nation’s most extreme anti-transgender legislation. In doing so, the GOP supermajority disregarded warnings from current and former Attorneys-General that the bills were unconstitutional and would cost the state a fortune to defend, and they ignored forceful opposition by many of the state’s largest employers (including Micron, the INL, Clif Bar and Chobani) who warned of serious harm to business interests.

Now, our reeling businesses and workers must pay the price for these legislators’ reckless actions at a time when we can least afford it. California law does not allow taxpayer dollars to pay for travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, and Idaho just landed on this banned travel list because of our new anti-transgender laws. This means that California’s public universities will not be able to send athletes, students, or even debate teams to Idaho. Conference and convention planners will be reluctant to choose Idaho for events because California state employees won’t be able to come. Further, this announcement comes on the heels of news that the NCAA is considering blacklisting Idaho because of these laws, potentially costing $15 million in lost business.

Our hospitality industry was already hit brutally by the coronavirus pandemic. The very last thing our hotels and restaurants need right now is this devastating and totally unnecessary blow, dealt by Idaho’s own legislature. As we are now looking at cutting $100 million from our education budget and deep cuts to other critical services, it is beyond infuriating to watch tens of millions of dollars set on fire by a GOP-dominated legislature that seems only to be interested in escalating culture wars.

Both of Idaho’s new discriminatory anti-transgender laws are currently being challenged in federal court. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the judicial branch will strike them down, saving us from more catastrophic impact to our hospitality industry. But we shouldn’t have to count on such intervention to save us from our own elected leaders. We should have a legislature that focuses on helping, or at least that does no harm.

The myth of the GOP as the “pro-business, fiscally conservative” party has been shattered once again. Too often the majority party is ready and willing to inflict crippling economic losses on Idaho workers and businesses in service of a divisive social agenda. For decades, GOP legislators have forced taxpayers to pay millions to defend right-wing legislation that was clearly unconstitutional but passed anyway to indulge various ideological fixations. We can’t afford this behavior any longer. We are in a recession and that money needs to go to schools, roads and necessary government services. Idaho voters – you have the power. Insist that your legislators stop wantonly hurting our economy and stay focused on protecting our freedoms and improving education, economy and quality of life.

House Minority Leader Representative Ilana Rubel/(D-Boise) expressed her extreme disappointment in the Idaho legislature.

“It was extremely foreseeable that Idaho’s new anti-transgender laws would create a cascading financial disaster for our state.” Rep. Rubel said. “The legislature was not only warned by current and former attorneys-general that these laws were unconstitutional and would cost a fortune to defend, but was further warned by a group of Idaho’s leading employers that passing such openly discriminatory legislation would cause severe damage to the business community. I am proud that every Democratic legislator heeded those warnings and voted against the bills.

Now, our reeling businesses and workers must pay the price for GOP legislators’ reckless actions at a time when we can least afford it. California law does not allow taxpayer dollars to pay for travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, and Idaho just landed on this banned travel list because of our new anti-transgender laws. This means that California’s public universities will likely not be able to send athletes, students, or even debate teams to Idaho. Conference and convention planners will be reluctant to choose Idaho for events because California state employees won’t be able to come. Further, this announcement comes on the heels of news that the NCAA is considering blacklisting Idaho because of these laws, potentially costing $15 million in lost business.

Our hospitality industry was already hit brutally by the coronavirus pandemic. The very last thing our hotels and restaurants need right now is this devastating and totally unnecessary blow, dealt by Idaho’s own legislature. As the Governor is now looking at cutting $100 million from our education budget and deep cuts to other critical services, it is beyond infuriating to watch tens of millions of dollars set on fire by a GOP-dominated legislature that seems only to be interested in escalating culture wars.

This crisis was created out of whole cloth by the legislature. There had never been a single reported problem arising from any transgender athlete in the state of Idaho, nor from any transgender person seeking to revise the gender marker on their birth certificate. Now, we face a legal, human rights and financial crisis manufactured by the GOP supermajority. We can’t afford this behavior any longer. Idaho is in a recession and our precious tax dollars must be used for schools, roads and necessary government services.”

“We want to put power back in farmer’s hands.” Senator Nelson explained. “Our agricultural community relies on their equipment to be efficient. If a farmer has to use the dealer for all repairs, it can significantly raise costs and prevent independent repair shops from having a chance for the business. It’s not fair if a manufacture has monopoly power on a repair that lets them charge high prices.”

“Agriculture is crucial to our state and Right to Repair legislation would support Idaho Farmers. Vehicles, tractors, and other farming equipment are costly to repair or replace, and the current laws make the process of making repairs more costly than necessary. The safety and success of our farmers and ranchers are a priority for the legislature and this legislation supports that priority.”

Senator Grant Burgoyne/(D-Boise) is co-sponsoring the legislation.

“Idaho is a state where many people live beyond the practical reach of repair services.” Sen. Burgoyne explained. “We have to be and are self-reliant. We should have the right of self-repair and access to local repair facilities. Even as urban consumers, we should have these rights.”

For over 33 years, the independent business alliance, Buy Idaho, has recognized the importance of promoting Idaho owned and operated companies. In order to support the development of Idaho’s job pool and the livelihood of so many Idaho families, we all must do our part to Buy Idaho.

The Idaho Capitol recently hosted a Buy Idaho event in order to support local businesses. Idaho businesses were able to come and show off a wide diversity of goods and services that are offered within the state. The range of small businesses owned by Idahoans was eye-opening. The Idaho Lottery was giving out scratchers for lottery tickets on one side of the rotunda and Idaho Central Credit Union was helping to open bank accounts at their credit union on the other side of the rotunda. Legislators and the public were able to sample everything from candles to soap to candies. Without our small businesses, unemployment would skyrocket, and the number of goods Idaho exports would plummet. Idaho small businesses are a huge source of revenue for Idaho families and provide countless jobs for our rural communities.

In my district, the Pocatello Popcorn Shop is a perfect example of a local business that stands as a cornerstone of the Pocatello community. The Popcorn Shop was opened nearly 17 years ago by a local Pocatello family. Today, they promote other local businesses by buying locally sourced ingredients. There are many other small businesses in Pocatello and across the state that create jobs and serve their communities. Supporting these local businesses is essential to creating a thriving Idaho economy. Local businesses across the state help to provide jobs to a huge portion of Idaho’s job force.

Job creation is essential to supporting every part of life in Idaho. From supporting local families to contributing to income tax that funds essential services, the jobs small businesses help to create are key to allowing Idahoans to thrive. Every year, more and more small businesses and startups are opening in Idaho. In 2015, small businesses created 14,000 jobs and every year that number continues to grow. Shopping local and buying Idaho products and services is an easy way to support family-owned, Idaho businesses. Small, local businesses help to sponsor our children’s soccer teams and donate to nonprofits across the state. Small businesses reinvest in our children and local projects as well as providing resources to our communities. There’s something very special about shopping at a place where the owners know your family and are an important part of the community.

Idaho small businesses generated $4.0 billion in exports in 2015 and, over the last 5 years, that number has risen significantly. In order to keep these businesses in Idaho, Idahoans must also support them from within the state. Communities can support these businesses by buying locally sourced products, using Idaho based services, and opting for local options whenever possible. There is a diverse range of goods and services offered by local businesses in Idaho which means there are plenty of options to Buy Idaho. When you invest in an Idaho business, you are investing in your state. As Idaho continues to grow, small businesses remain an essential aspect of Idaho’s economic prosperity.

The four original founders include Representatives Caroline Nilsson Troy/(R-Moscow) and Sally Toone/(D-Gooding) and Senators Bert Brackett/(R-Twin Falls) and Janie Ward-Engelking/(D-Boise).

“The challenges facing our farmers, ranchers and loggers keep getting more complicated, so this is the perfect time for all of us to come together,” said Representative Troy.

“The uniqueness of a joint Caucus can’t be overstated,” said Representative Toone, “We will be bringing many perspectives together to focus on issues impacting all of Idaho.”

The Caucus will meet regularly during the Idaho legislative session. The Caucus is open to members regardless of the makeup of the district they represent.