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Sexual Assault Civil Protection Order Hearing
A public hearing was held last Thursday for HB 383 -- to provide for a Sexual Assault Civil Protection Order. There is a gap that currently exists where most victims of sexual assault cannot petition a court for a protection order and this bill would provide a process to do so.
It was a tough hearing, mostly due to the "Freedom Caucus" legislators (Representatives Scott, Zollinger, Ehardt, Zito, and Young) who focused all their questions on what happens if a victim lies and what happens to the accused person. It was so sad that all they could focus on was the perpetrator and their rights instead of the pain that a victim experiences. The bias they demonstrated was more than troubling, especially in the faces of people who shared their personal stories of being raped and how this bill could have helped them. A Victim Witness Coordinator testified about how her 13 year old sister was sexually assaulted in a friend's home and how this bill could have helped. The list goes on, but my colleagues were focused on how this could turn a "man's life upside-down." I reminded them that the life they needed to focus on was the innocent victim and that is the life being turned upside down. The bill received a negative score on the Freedom Foundation's website, so that is at the heart of their skepticism and callous response. The truth is, that group of legislators puts so much stake in their scoring, that they lose sight of the constituents who really need their help.
I have GOP co-sponsors so I believe the bill should get out of committee and onto the House floor, but there's still time to email the committee secretary to share your support. Chairman Chaney provided very meaningful questions and proved to be very helpful in the process, so please thank him for that leadership.
I am so thankful to all of the powerful people who testified and shared their stories to try to help the House Judiciary and Rules committee understand how this bill will help survivors feel safer. I am so deeply honored to work with such passionate and caring people and I will not give up this fight!
Some folks traveled as far as Blackfoot and Grangeville just to testify for a few minutes. I sincerely hope we can make a difference for survivors of sexual violence. Special thanks to the criminal division of the AG for being ready to answer questions and to provide expert and professional information about the process.
The committee will vote on Monday, February 17th. Please write an email to the House Secretary urging them to support this bill: hjud@house.idaho.gov
Increasing Transparency for Tenants
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Disassembling Public Education
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Idaho's Constitution provides, "The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools."
For years, educators, parents, and education officials have collaborated to improve Idaho public schools, including significant efforts to create Idaho specific standards. These standards establish a consistent baseline while allowing each school district to augment or tailor curriculum to local needs. It is discouraging to see that this tremendous effort is not being honored by the Legislature:
- The House Education Committee voted down Idaho's teacher certification standards and English, science, and math content standards. If the Senate had taken the same tact, we could have lost $260 million in federal dollars, spent $50 to 100 million more to redo the standards, and cost local school districts substantial dollar amounts to replace textbooks and other materials to align with any new standards. Idaho standards have already been extensively studied by Idaho educators and parents. So the Senate's passage of another interim committee, at a cost of $10,000, makes no sense.
- The Senate Education Committee is considering a bill to let parents keep their kids out of school for as much as 35 percent of the school year under some circumstances.
- The Governor's budget gives public K-12 teachers a raise with one hand, but takes it away by forcing them to cover their increase in health care costs with the other.
- The Governor's budget, combined with a tuition freeze, is forcing our public higher education institutions to cut instructors and services.
- The House has passed H347, which prevents all taxing districts, including school districts, from running bonds for eleven months after one fails. Idaho districts already face the high hurdle of needing a 2/3 vote to pass a bond.
- Further, the House is considering a bill to reduce the previously negotiated number of election dates available for districts to run bonds and levies. Eliminating the March date means that districts will struggle to schedule bond and levy elections and budget effectively for hiring teachers for the next school year.
- Our distribution of state revenue for school facilities actually incentivizes some public schools to close and reopen as private charter schools, with $426.00 per pupil going to charter schools and only $151.00 per pupil going to traditional schools.
- And our distribution of state revenues on a per student basis gives more money to charter schools than to public schools because charter schools students are funded as if they are in a small rural district when in essence most are in urban districts. Once again a proposal to revise the school funding formula is under consideration in the House.
- The House Education Committee is considering a bill to restrict the start of the school year, which would preclude school districts from being responsive to local needs.
- Three members of the House Education Committee walked out of a hearing in the middle of testimony aligned with the Governor's education task force recommendation on social emotional learning. This is a crucial task when Idaho's suicide rate ranks about fifth in the nation and 23 percent of students have seriously considered suicide in the last year.
We must remain vigilant in creating and supporting a high quality educational system. I appreciate the Superintendent's proposed budget to support kids and teachers and the behavior of the House Education Committee is inexcusable. State legislators are the ones that are working against our kids and our teachers.
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It was such an honor to address over 300 people attending the 9th annual Caregivers Conference and hear the stories of strength. One thing is clear: the state could really help to provide some respite and rest for caregivers who work so hard.
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Rep Ricks and I passed a bill off the House floor to stop predatory booting practices on vehicles with expired tags! It's in the Senate and has real potential to help people!
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I met the founders of Blessing Bike when I was addressing the 9th Annual Caregivers Conference on Saturday. I was moved to tears when I learned more about this amazing non-profit that was formed to help caregivers bring a little joy in the lives of the people they are caring for.
From the BLESSING BIKE WEBSITE: "At age 92, Rosemary Sorce inspired her family to want to make her final season on earth a little more meaningful and enjoyable. Although front passenger bikes existed, the cost was a barrier for any middle-class family. In August 2018, Wade and Jill Houser together found a solution: a cargo style bicycle retrofitted to carry Rosemary. The design is simple, no hand brakes or gears but the ride is amazing. Together, Rosemary and her family ride everyday all through Boise and Meridian, Idaho creating smiles and memories.
We are Rosemary's family and friends who witnessed how the bike impacted her life and wanted to expand the experience to others. We have formed a not for profit organization 501c3 to be able to provide access to affordable passenger bikes to families with loved ones experiencing age, health or disability related barriers..."
GO TO their website to learn more and support this great project!
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2020 Town Halls for District 19
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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.
- Tuesday, February 18th, at 6 pm - Roosevelt Elementary School (908 E Jefferson St, Boise, Idaho 83712)
- Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6 pm - Hidden Springs Elementary School (5480 W Hidden Springs Dr, Boise, Idaho 83714)
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