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HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!
I met Liyah Babayan at the Democratic Women's Caucus Breakfast today. She shared her story of her family's escape of ethnic killings of Armenians in Baku, Azerbaijan in the late 1980s. She and her family lived in terrible conditions until the early 1990s when George Bush signed an executive order to allow 800,000 immigrants into the U.S. After years of struggle, she and her family made their way to Twin Falls Idaho. She shared her story and some words of wisdom about resiliency and love.
Liyah's Three Keys to Life
1) Hunger felt by the human spirit is essential to life. When you face struggles as she faced, "you recognize the smallest crumbs of opportunity. Do not wait for doors of opportunity to open, but build those doors, yourself."
2) Interdependence is a natural part of life and essential for happiness. "Extreme independence, that is upheld in our culture, is lonely and unnatural. Interdependence and family are about deeper connection, about living life together and sharing responsibilities together on a daily basis..."
3) "Practice unconditional gratitude, which is "action expressed when life hurts the most." Unconditional gratitude is about empathy and compassion; it is the "giving of tears and hurt to share in others' suffering." And remember that receiving is a part of unconditional gratitude....
Let us honor all the women in our lives today and always, and take the challenge to wake up each day and ask the question:
WHAT GOOD SHALL I DO WITH MY LIFE TODAY?
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BUDGETS ARE SET, but what is the fate of employee raises?
We finished setting budgets in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday, March 6, ending the committee with Medicaid and Welfare budgets. Our JFAC working group was able to partner with the Department of Health and Welfare and find the least harmful way to meet the Governor's budget recommendation to reduce all state general fund agency budgets by 2 percent. That may sound like a good thing on its face, but the "growing government" narrative is a false one. The state is running a pretty lean machine and Big "G" Government is not out of hand, as people are led to think.
As I stated to the Lewiston Tribune last week, “We’re in the middle of the greatest economic boom in the state, and we’re acting like we’re in a recession,” Wintrow said. “This is a crisis we (the Legislature) manufactured.
Besides approving the largest tax cut in state history in 2018, the Legislature also mandated that sales tax collections from online sales go into a new tax refund account. That’s capturing about $6 million per month that should have been coming to the general fund, where the budget committee could determine how best to use it.
And in the middle of all these cuts, we approved 2 percent CEC (change in employee compensation), i.e., state employee raises. That doesn't sound so bad, but as I told Bill Spence of the Lewiston Tribute, do the math. The 2 percent across the board cut, more than offsets the 2 percent pay raises. So, it is possible that some employees won't get a raise, or at the very least, agency directors are going to have to make some very tough decisions between raises, jobs, and programs. I'm very concerned for smaller agencies and colleges and universities, in particular.
A WORD ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION
As the Medicaid Expansion Budget was created, figures were calculated based on 91,000 enrollees, which would be about 41 million dollars for the state portion. Based on cost offsets from other budgets, that leaves about 11 million dollars for the state to identify. Once we use 12 million dollars from the Millennium Fund, we actually have money left over.
With about 65,000 people enrolled as of now, the state's share is about 29 million dollars. With costs offsets and Millennium fund, we have more than enough.
However, the Governor has decided to take 8 million dollars out of the budget and put it elsewhere, thus putting the responsibility on the legislature to identify money from other sources. So, you know the legislature, we're going to push that off on the counties or try to, which means property taxes increase some more.
LONG STORY SHORT - THE MONEY IS THERE but the pain will come depending on the legislature and who they decide to pawn off the costs to....
Fortunately, we can't just legally un-enroll Medicaid recipients, so the worst case scenario there could a supplemental request to pay the bill next session. I do not support any methods of payment that takes responsibility from the state and pushes it back to counties or other programs. The voters spoke last year and the Governor and the Legislature need to fund expansion appropriately and stop dragging their feet.
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PROPERTY TAXES - STILL NO SOLUTIONS
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. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
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GOP DEFEATS REASONABLE PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS
The session is almost over and we still have not addressed property tax relief nor any real meaningful solutions to help tenants who are struggling all over the state due to a lack of housing stock and rent increases that are outpacing Idahoan's salaries. Rep Rubel got a bill passed to extend the time to notify tenants of a rent increase from 15 days to 30 days. However, after the apartment association intervened her original time period of 45 days was reduced to 30.
I introduced H595 that would have required the landlord to provide a walk through of the rental property and an itemized receipt of any damages assessed to the tenant so tenants have a path forward to get their security deposit returned. It was so disappointing that my GOP colleagues could not afford a little fairness to tenants. All they want is to have a fair shot of getting their security deposit back. What's so tough about doing a walk through of the premises and "showing your work" by providing an itemized receipt of charges. Just like a renting a car, right? You conduct an inspection when you pull off the lot and when you return and if there are charges, they're itemized. Not too hard.....CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
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UPDATE ALERT ON H383
SEXUAL ASSAULT CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER STALLED
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that H383 will not receive a vote in committee. On February 13 survivors of rape and advocates from throughout the state, law enforcement, attorneys, and citizens showed up to testify in support of H383. I appreciate everyone’s efforts to support rape survivors and to support legislation that would have provided them a pathway to seek protection during a very traumatic time. As Annie Hightower from the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence testified, in Idaho, the approximate average time between crime reporting and arrest in these crimes is about 85 days, and since a no-contact order cannot be granted until a criminal charge is filed, these orders could provide some safety for a survivor after a sexual assault or rape.
The bill will not get a vote because the NRA intervened, demanded unnecessary changes to this bill and unrelated changes to the Domestic Violence Protection Act, and will not remain neutral on HB383 unless those demands are met. It was their opinion that the Lautenberg Amendment would apply to civil protection orders under the proposed Sexual Assault Protection Act, thus allowing judges to take firearms from respondents, which has never been substantiated....CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY on NPR and the front page of the IDAHO STATESMAN.
Feel free to write to House legislators to share your feelings about this.
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Join Me for Lunch for a Good Cause!
I am a table captain for the annual Family Advocates fundraising lunch. If you would like to be my personal guest and sit at my table for the Family Advocates Welcome Home Luncheon, RSVP with Nick or at the link below! Don't forget to list me as your table host!
I have room for 8 more guests, so register quickly!
This is a great cause, raising awareness and resources for our families and kids who are at risk.
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Coronavirus
Idaho now has a website on the covid-19 coronavirus. Current risk in Idaho is low. Idahoans are encouraged to contact their local public health district with questions.
The Center for Disease Control has the following recommendations for your household:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
Bills in Action
My bill, H345, to prevent predatory booting of vehicles has passed both houses and is on the way to the Governor for signing. I had been getting a lot of complaints, especially from folks in large apartment complexes, that their vehicles were being booted due to expired tags. That's an overreach and hurts too many people. I'm so happy to get this one consumer protection bill passed.
S1384 would allow school employees with concealed weapon permits to carry them on school grounds. They would have to file their permits with the principal and superintendent, but the school is not allowed to notify other employees or parents. This bill is currently before the Senate State Affairs Committee.
The House passed an awful bill that would prohibit transgender girls from playing on girl's sports teams. H500 requires any girl whose eligibility is questioned to undergo medical examination, including an examination of their genitals, a DNA test, and hormone test at their own expense. The Senate State Affairs Committee began hearing testimony on Friday and will continue on Monday. It is a disgusting bill that would subject any girl to an invasive exam. One high school girl asked me, "what if you have been sexually assaulted before....being traumatized that way and having to do let someone examine me would be an unwelcome and traumatic invasion of my privacy."
Heather Scott's bill (H455a) to eliminate mandatory reporting of child abuse has failed in the House. I spoke out agains this bill along with a few of my GOP colleagues which effectively killed this bill.
Another Heather Scott speciality bill, H440 made it to the Senate State Affairs Committee. It would effectively turn back affirmative action programs and could harm scholarships, women's sports, diversity programs at universities, and much more. This is one of the most harmful bills that we have seen this session but it just flew out of the House. This is a direct attack on progress made with affirmative action and diversity and inclusion activities.
 S1297, Sen Buckner Webb's bill, to create a "Too Great for Hate" license plate is awaiting a hearing in House Transportation. I serve on that committee and hope that the chair will hold a hearing. The proceeds would benefit the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
S1345 will legalize the growth and transportation of industrial hemp in Idaho. This will put Idaho in compliance with federal law and allow growers to transport across the state without penalty. I voted in support of this bill in the Senate and look forward to its success in the House.
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Got to meet Washington's Representative Pramila Jayapal at the annual Frank Church Gala. I am so honored and humbled to have received Legislator of the Year Award from the Democratic Party.
I am who I am due to my mother AND all the patient and compassionate people who have mentored me. Thanks to all the leaders who have come before and all the citizens who work with me. TOGETHER we will overcome and WE will lift everyone with us!!! Blessings! My heart is full!
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Met these Boise High students in the Statehouse supporting their transgender classmates. Sending a message to older legislators to stop passing harmful legislation.
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Sen Nye and Superintendent Ybarra had a great time at the annual chili feed in the State Department of Education. The chili was great, but I told her next year hold the beans....there's enough gas in there now!
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