Hello District 19,
We hope this message finds you well and healthy.
Due to the accelerating spread of COVID-19 within the Statehouse, the Idaho Legislature has recessed until April 6. We wish our affected colleagues and staff a speedy and full recovery. We also regret the lack of safety measures that led us to this point. You can read our caucus’s statement on the decision here. We will resume our weekly newsletter once the recess ends.
With the rapid increase in COVID vaccine availability, please visit Idaho’s pre-registration system for those seeking the vaccine. Crush the Curve Idaho has also consolidated information about vaccination sites with available appointments.
Please read our updates below, and thank you again for the honor of serving District 19.
Legislative Updates
In perhaps the most frustrating vote of the week, the Republican supermajority passed HB 332 on a party-line vote. The bill slashes income tax rates with the benefits flowing overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income spectrum, which are the households that have benefited from other tax policy changes over the past decade. It also provides a lopsided one-time tax rebate equivalent to 9% of a taxpayer’s state income tax due, or a floor of $50 per person. A couple bringing in $1 million annually would receive more than $10,000; while a couple making $50,000 would receive a mere $113. The ongoing tax cut for the household earning $25,000 is only $13 a year.
This bill makes deep permanent revenue cuts and also likely jeopardizes our COVID relief plans because those funds will be docked for any revenue cuts that our state enacts. We believe we should wait for guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department so that we can weigh the costs and benefits of enacting revenue cuts. Democrats immediately called a news conference following the vote, and you can read our release here.
The Republican tax bill is far afield of what Idahoans are asking for, which is lower property taxes for homeowners. The House Majority leadership has refused to hear legislation to raise the homeowner’s exemption this year.
The House also heard a poorly written and, in light of this week’s virus spike, tone-deaf bill prohibiting state and local governments from implementing mask mandates. While we hoped the bill would be defeated in an up-or-down vote, the House sent HB 339 to the amending order.
The House passed HB 291 in a 52-14 vote. The bill would immediately end emergency declarations and health orders in Idaho involving such things as wildfires, floods or pandemics if they prevented businesses from operating. We both voted against this bill.
We were very excited about the prospect of HB 331, legislation to fund optional full-day kindergarten across the state. Currently, we have a patchwork of “haves” and “have-nots.” Some schools have the resources to offer full-day kindergarten (usually at the expense of property taxpayers), while other parents are left without a choice. Where full-day kindergarten is fee-based, some children have parents who can afford the fees, and those who can’t are left behind. HB 331 would level the playing field and give every child the opportunity to receive the proven benefits of full-day kindergarten.
Unfortunately, the bill was pulled at the last minute when it was due to be heard. We hope it will get another chance this year. This could be the most positive thing that the Legislature does for education this year.
And finally, some good news. You may recall that a couple weeks ago, House Republicans killed Idaho’s chance of receiving a $6 million grant to support early learning in Idaho. On Tuesday, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a new version of the bill authorizing the State Board of Education to receive and spend grant funds. It passed on an 18-2 vote. We hope it can pass the full House.
Lauren’s Corner
I have been following the Idaho Foster Youth Advisory Board for several years. These inspiring young people advocate to improve our foster care system, making it better for the children who come behind them. One of their goals has been to provide youth with the option to continue receiving foster care services until age 21. I was thrilled to co-sponsor HB 336, which does just that. It passed the House and will move to the Senate.
In the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, new legislation was introduced and fast-tracked to the floor to push Idaho’s state income tax filing deadline back from April 15 to May 17, matching the newly announced delay in the federal income tax deadline. This will provide a common timeline for Idahoans on their state and federal returns.
Chris’s Corner
I feel incredibly fortunate not to have contracted COVID-19 this week. To protect myself and ensure the safety of others, I tested every weekday. Thanks to Boise State for making it happen.
Before we paused this legislative session, the House State Affairs Committee began hearing Senate bills in earnest. While I voted no, the Committee sent SB 1136 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The bill attempts to define “extreme peril” and targets a governor’s emergency powers during human-made events, such as a terrorist attack.
Remote Testimony
Do you have thoughts on a bill you’d like to share with the relevant legislative committee? You can, safely. Here is the information you need to testify remotely at committee hearings:
– Review this list of committees
– Select your committee of interest
– Click the “Public Testimony Overview” tab to find specific instructions