Week 1-2 - 2024 Session
It's been a snowy start to the 2024 Legislative session. While kids had to stay home from school, business in the Capitol was still in full swing. Below is my update on some of the main happenings and conversations during the first two weeks.
This is my first bi-weekly newsletter of this session and I'll keep you posted as the next few months go on.
Social-cultural issues are already seeing their way to the forefront
The supermajority didn’t hesitate to introduce a barrage of bad bills that distract from the real needs of Idahoans. Working families are worried about finding affordable housing, adequate medical care, and good-paying jobs, and I'll continue to focus on those issues, rather than what came to the forefront during these first two weeks.
School Vouchers
Early on, a voucher bill was introduced which would provide people who choose to send their children to K-12 private schools $5,000. Ultimately this would siphon money from public schools, which are already struggling with their current budget and one billion dollars behind in building upkeep and maintenance. It's clear that the issue of vouchers will be another hot topic this session, even though this idea was repeatedly shut down during the last session.
Attack on libraries - HB384
Another repeat was a library bill, which would allow people to sue libraries for failing to remove materials they deem as "harmful." In practice, this could require libraries to hand out checks anytime a parent objects to a book in a library. Thankfully, hundreds of Idahoans emailed, called, and testified against this bill and it was sent back to committee. I do believe this issue will be brought up again this session.
Abortion - HB400
A legislator introduced a bill that would change any written mention of “fetus” in state law to become “preborn child” which could have frightening impacts on contraception access and in vitro fertilization. It's sad to see that this is one of the supermajority's first moves, while we still have not fixed the laws in Idaho which make it so doctors cannot perform or recommend an abortion even if the life of the mother is in danger.
Access to Contraception - S1234
On a more positive note, Senator Wintrow introduced a bill which will allow women to get more than three months of birth control pills at a time, which will ultimately save them time. This is the third time this bill has been introduced and the supermajority has voted it down each time. I hope it will pass both houses this year, especially at a time when access to contraception and women's health issues are paramount.
Add the Words - S1237
The Democratic Caucus all signed on to a personal bill, Add the Words, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's human rights act. Add the Words has been a state-wide effort since the early 2000's and the supermajority has refused to pass it after multiple attempts. This personal bill - like others - is simply an opportunity to make a statement about this needed move.
State of the State
The Governor gave his State of the State the first week of session. Although I didn't agree with everything that he said - especially some of the distracting and misleading statements at the beginning of his speech, and was disappointed to see no investment in our affordable housing crisis. However, on a positive note, he did make robust investments in public education and career and technical training, as well as water and transportation which are all very needed.
Water & Transportation
The Governor proposed an additional $50 million ongoing to bond for $800 million in new transportation infrastructure to help address our state's serious transportation backlog. This will also address repairing or replacing the last one-third of dilapidated bridges throughout our state. Additional funds allow for the continued expansion of water infrastructure in Idaho.
LAUNCH
The Governor brought forward renewed funding for the Idaho LAUNCH Program at $75 million, which will allow Idaho students to enter Idaho colleges, career tech, and workforce training. College and career advisors will also receive more funding to assist high school students with navigating college or workforce training and other career opportunities. This is a great step forward as Idaho employers are asking for a more specialized and educated workforce coming out of Idaho's schools.
School Facilities Investments
The biggest announcement in the Governor's State of the State was the proposed investment of $2B in school facilities, $200M over the next ten years. This is critically needed across the state to address deferred maintenance and help schools pay for capital projects. Because schools won't have to run as many bonds and levies, this proposal will also result in millions of dollars in property tax relief.
JFAC Changes
The Joint-Finance and Appropriations Committee has made significant changes regarding our state's budgeting process. While previously, agency and other state budgets were made in a public forum - now, budgets are looked at on a smaller committee level and all "maintenance" budgets are passed at once, while additional funds needed to start or expand new projects will have to be re-opened and considered. The passed budgets leave out critical items like bridge repair, LAUNCH scholarships, and quagga mussel response and will leave undue bargaining power in the hands of a few people who will now be able to hold budgets hostage, or more easily pass pet projects like school vouchers.
Read more about the new budget process here
Town Hall
Representatives Galaviz, Nash and I are holding our first town hall in just a week. Join us:
Date: Thursday, February 1st
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Location: Collister Library
There are many challenges that face us in the session, but there is much opportunity to do good and I look forward to keeping you posted on my efforts.
In service,
-Ali
