Hello District 19,
We hope this weekend’s snowstorm found you safe and snug.
This week the legislature launched attacks on voting rights and ballot initiatives, while advancing more legislation that doesn’t pass constitutional muster. Fortunately, there were also a few bright spots. Please read our updates below.
Legislative Updates
In the House Health and Welfare Committee last Monday, Reps. Ilana Rubel and Mike Kingsley introduced the Sgt. Kitzhaber Medical Cannabis Act (HB108) to allow patients to use medical cannabis under narrow circumstances. Sgt. Kitzhaber brings this legislation while battling terminal cancer. He has to rely on medications with harsher side effects than the medical cannabis his doctor would prescribe if it were legal. If enacted, this bill provides a compassionate option for Idahoans with certain medical conditions. We hope to have the chance to vote in favor on the House Floor.
Also on Monday, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) voted 16-4 to accept $175.7 million in federal coronavirus aid for emergency rental assistance. This is overdue for the thousands of Idahoans who have lost income due to the pandemic. Ada County residents in need of rental assistance can currently apply here.
We were disappointed to see HB 90 pass the House Floor. The bill takes away local decision-making authority when it comes to renaming streets, parks, and schools and to the placement of monuments. The bill is also unenforceable, likely unconstitutional, and potentially in violation of the First Amendment, according to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General. We voted against this unnecessary legislative power grab, which is likely to ensnare the state in legal battles at the taxpayers’ expense. It heads to the Senate where we hope it will be rejected.
On Wednesday, the House State Affairs Committee advanced HB106 to the full House to eliminate the August election date on which Idaho school districts hold bond, levy or recall elections. Lawmakers heard from local school officials who pleaded with them not to pass the bill. School districts do not set their budgets until June, so the August election date is key for asking voters if they want to make up budget shortfalls through override levies. This bill is clearly an attempt to make it harder for schools to raise resources. We both strongly oppose it.
The House Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to introduce new legislation, brought forth by the Idaho Farm Bureau, to legalize industrial hemp in Idaho for production, processing, transportation, and research. Rep. Mathias was happy to support this legislation in committee, as it is a long time coming. We both look forward to supporting it on the House Floor. It opens new opportunities for the agricultural sector in Idaho, which would be the last state to allow industrial hemp farming.
We were relieved when the House moved the deeply flawed bill, HB88, to the amending order. The bill would make it a felony to help deliver a single ballot at the request of a friend or elderly neighbor. Tampering with a ballot is already treated as the serious crime it is. There is nothing nefarious about delivering someone’s completed ballot with their permission. This draconian bill is unnecessary and exacts harsh punishment for helping to ensure that every vote is counted. The House Majority Leader who sponsored the bill proclaimed that “Voting shouldn’t be easy.” We disagree. When we run for office we must earn the votes of our constituents by making our case, not by excluding votes from being counted.
Our citizens’ right to pass laws at the ballot comes under threat with a new Senate bill. Senator Vick proposed legislation that would nearly double the number of signatures required as well as the geographic distribution to place an initiative on the ballot. This would make it nearly impossible for volunteer-run campaigns to qualify a proposal for the ballot. Only those with the deep-pockets to fund expensive signature collection would be able to place an issue before the voters. We are both staunchly opposed.
Lauren’s Corner
I am pleased to report that I received approval to present the Fair Chance Employment Act for a print hearing in the House Judiciary & Rules Committee. This legislation asks employers to consider the qualifications of applicants rather than immediately discarding applications from people with a record. Idaho has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, which is driving rapidly rising prison costs. Connecting motivated individuals to employment is necessary to curb this trend.
Employers would still be able to conduct criminal background checks and retain full discretion over their hiring decisions. There are no penalties for employers. If the committee votes to introduce the bill, I will push for a full hearing with public testimony.
I am continuing to refine and recruit co-sponsors for my bill to increase the homeowner’s exemption for property taxes. Since the GOP capped the homeowner’s exemption 2016, we are seeing an annual tax shift onto homeowners that is neither fair nor sustainable. We must course correct this year.
Chris’s Corner
Last week, I joined Rep. James Ruchti (pictured with me here), and other military veterans serving in Idaho’s Legislature, at the memorial for our recently fallen National Guard members. It was an extremely solemn occasion and watching close family members, including young children, grieve was terribly hard. They’re still in my thoughts.
Boise State faculty and staff made more COVID tests available to Capitol Building staff this week. Thank you, Broncos!
On the legislative front, I voted multiple times last week against legislation that would remove gubernatorial powers to manage emergencies (or rescind portions of the current Stay Healthy order). I stated repeatedly that during an emergency, the legislature should be focused on addressing the threat and helping people, not arguing about protocol and policy. That should come later.
