Sexual Assault Civil Protection Order
Trying to Secure a Hearing
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I have been working tirelessly with victim advocates and members of the criminal legal system to introduce a bill that would improve the safety of survivors of sexual assault. While victims of domestic violence, stalking, and even telephone harassment may seek a protection order, current law does not allow for a protection order to be granted for most people who have been sexually assaulted. There has been significant confusion that a sexual assault survivor could seek a protection order under Idaho’s Domestic Violence Act, but if there is no relationship as defined in code, a protection order cannot be issued.
Providing opportunities for a victim to seek a protection order could drastically improve the quality of life for victims and increase feelings of personal safety as reported in a 1997 research study by the National Center for State Courts. While there is never a guarantee of safety, a protection order provides legal direction to keep an alleged perpetrator away from the alleged victim. It also provides the opportunity in a work or school setting for a supervisor or staff to address accommodations for a victim so work or school can continue, keeping victim and perpetrator apart.
If you support these efforts, please contact the chairs of the Senate and House Judiciary and Rules Committee indicating why you support this legislation.
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STEM Action Center
On Monday, Angela Hemingway, Director of Idaho STEM Action Center, presented the agency’s budget and some positive news on computer science -- access to computer science continues to increase with an 11% increase in secondary teachers offering computer science. As a result, the state has seen an 18% increase in the number of secondary students taking computer science. Unfortunately, if JFAC approves the Governor's budget cuts there will be a significant reduction in services and access to the STEM pipeline -- a setback I don't support. In 2019, 7,633 STEM jobs went unfilled in Idaho, for lack of qualified applicants, which "represents over half a billion dollars lost in personal income to Idahoans," Hemingway indicated. With these numbers, we need to INVEST in STEM not cut their budget.
This is one more example of why I'm not a fan of the how the Governor is slashing budgets across the board. If there is a need to make up for anticipated revenue inconsistencies, find other places to trim the fat, not in places that serve a vital function for growing our economy.
Idaho Department of Corrections
Director Josh Tewalt shared his vision for trying to decrease the prison population in Idaho which included more focus on creating opportunities for success when inmates leave prison and re-enter the community. He noted that a high number of people returning to prison were people who violate probation or parole, so improving supports for success may keep more people in community which is better for everyone and the state's budget. IDOC's budget proposal included a new 160-bed Twin Falls re-entry center ($2.7 million) and a new Community Interventions program ($5.9 million) to address public safety issues and support people transitioning back into the community. I appreciate the director's vision in thinking less about punishment and more about how to help people improve and return to the community.
The Corrections budget is one of the largest in the state and is growing, so we need to find ways to decrease incarceration through investing in upriver solutions like home visiting programs and early learning to create stronger foundations for kids and families. We also need to engage in sentencing reform, decriminalizing personal drug use or substance abuse, and creating more opportunities for someone who leaves prison to learn from their mistakes and re-enter community safely and successfully.
The affordable housing crisis has really complicated this for formerly incarcerate citizens along with other barriers to get a photo ID and having fair access to employment. Housing is one of the toughest barriers for those transitioning out of corrections. They are prohibited from accessing nearly any form of housing subsidy, often lack adequate resources for move-in costs, and in general face barriers based on their felon status. It's also difficult for them to line up housing (without internet or simple phone access) as a condition of the transition plan required for their release. I was glad to see a request in IDOC's budget for additional financial support for housing, but the request still only covers one month of housing, which requires that a person needs to find a job within the first week of being released. Way too stressful and nearly impossible, so we wonder why folks struggle to be successful.
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I am so proud of Idaho's Brightest Stars!
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Cay Marquart and Senator Nye
Every year, Serve Idaho recognizes outstanding volunteers from throughout the state for their contributions at the Idaho's Brightest Star Awards. This year, ELEVEN individuals and organizations from Distric 19 were nominated.
- Arleen Schaeffer, Individual 55+
- Cay Marquart, Individual 55+
- Laurie Anderson, Individual
- Lara Foster, Individual
- Dr. Robert Cooper, Individual
- Zee Christopher, Business
- Garden City Library Foundation, Nonprofit/ Civic Organization
- Genesis Community Health, Nonprofit/ Civic Organization
- Idaho Botanical Garden, Nonprofit/ Civic Organization
- Lucy Streeby, Student
- August Mussler-Wright, Student
I'm so proud of their great commitment to service! Congratulations!
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Property taxes have been rising across the state, and District 19 has seen some of the highest increases. I have heard from more constituents about this issue than any other. High property taxes create a real burden for many Idahoans, with those on fixed incomes and veterans among the hardest hit.
The Idaho Legislature talks about local control for cities and counties but, in practice, sends unfunded mandates down to local governments, shifting the state's burden for public services to them without adequate revenue options. This session the public is justifiably outraged at rising property taxes....Click here to read about the reasons the state's lack of funding hits your property tax bill.
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Having a STEMazing day in the Statehouse!
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Our Public Health Districts met with me to discuss community health initiatives.
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Justice Burdick discusses the growing mental health crisis that courts, legislature, and governor need to address.
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Joined our Union members for breakfast and learned more about worker's safety and the value of apprenticeships.
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2020 District 19 Town Hall Meetings
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Please join me, Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb, and our newly appointed Representative Lauren Necochea, for a town hall meeting during the session. We will take your questions and share our ideas at these events! A sign language interpreter is available upon request. Please submit a request for accommodation no later than 5 days prior to the town hall meeting by emailing Chrystal Allen at allen.chrystal@gmail.com.
- Town Hall #1: Tuesday, February 11th, at 6 pm - Shadow Hills Elementary School (8301 W Sloan St, Boise, Idaho 83714)
- Town Hall #2: Tuesday, February 18th, at 6 pm - Roosevelt Elementary School (908 E Jefferson St, Boise, Idaho 83712)
- Town Hall #3: Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6 pm - Hidden Springs Elementary School (5480 W Hidden Springs Dr, Boise, Idaho 83714)
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