A New Year...but what's new in the legislature?
The legislature will convene in just a few days, and I hope we can focus on the important issues facing Idahoans. Last regular session, which unfortunately lasted 311 days because the House never adjourned and then called the whole legislature back to Boise in November creating a substantial bill to the taxpayers and one hostile resolution to the federal government, became known as the worst session ever.
While I remain hopeful, there are many wildcards on how session will go.
The state continues to see revenues exceeding last year's budget expectations in the ballpark of over a billion dollars, but rumor has it that GOP legislators want to do more permanent income tax cuts while we face a staffing crisis in child protection, corrections, state police, education, and about every other state agency. And still very little discussion of meaningful property tax relief. I am hopeful that the Governor will support full day kindergarten funding among other infrastructure projects funded through federal ARPA funds.
I have also been working with stakeholders on several pieces of legislation addressing victims' services, debt collection protections, property tax relief for in home caregivers, and removing racist language from deeds and covenants. I will fill you on these after week one of session.
I hope you are experiencing a happy and healthy entrance into the new year. Wishing you all the best for you and your families. Contact me with any questions.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 AT 1 PM – 2 PM
Idaho Governor Brad Little delivers the annual State of the State address at the beginning of the 2022 legislative session, followed by political analysis with Alex Adams from the Division of Financial Management, Kevin Richert from Idaho Education News and Dr. Stephanie Witt from Boise State University.
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District 19 Virtual Town Hall – Janaury
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 AT 6 PM
Hear from your District 19 legislators Senator Melissa Wintrow, Representative Lauren Necochea, and Representative Chris Mathias, on how the 2022 legislative session is going. Please email idahod19democrats@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Click here to Register for D19 January Town Hall
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Something to Celebrate in 2020: Final Backlogged sexual assault kit is tested
I got the call last week (Dec. 29) the last rape kit from Idaho's backlog identified in 2016 had finally been tested and put in the system! Matthew Gamette and his team at the Idaho State Police Forensics lab have been working to test all of the kits that were the subject of my original legislation in 2016 to establish minimum standards for the processing and tracking of sexual assault kit evidence.
This milestone is so important because forensic evidence can be used to identify suspects or exonerate wrongfully accused people. And if we collect evidence but don't use it, it sends a terrible message to survivors of sexual assault, and contributes to an overall climate where victims don't feel like they matter or are believed.
Click here to read the full story.
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I had a special time late fall visiting with the staff from Boise's Peer Wellness Center, a recovery community center that exists to advocate for and support individuals seeking to initiate or maintain Recovery from behavioral health and/or substance abuse issues.
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PEER Wellness Center’s purpose is to "remove barriers to recovery and re-entry" and all programs and services offered align with that goal. The center is a safe-place and a 24/7 resource for support, skill-building, education, information and socialization for those in recovery and/or re-entry.
PEER offers a variety of amazing programs to support our community. Here are just a few: Idaho's "Recovery Friendly Workplace" RFP Initiative, led by PEER Wellness Center, challenges stigma and empowers workplaces to provide support for employees in recovery and all those impacted by substance use disorders (SUD). Day One is an essential program that offers a solid foundation for returning citizens as they take that first step out into our community. This program is a supportive network of experience, knowledge and resources that people can utilize to get a head start in their new life. Peer Necessities is a collaboration of community partners to provide an establishment where Returning Citizens can freely obtain much needed clothing and hygiene in a welcoming store like environment. The Forensic Peer Program is designed to bring evidence-based re-entry education to our community. Working inside the prisons, this program is building upon existing programs, like the Mentor Program, to develop a future workforce and to give people the skillset to help their peers to successfully return to our community.
PEER Wellness Center knows, “Our true strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives.”
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Christmas Visit with People Making Things Right
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As a member of the Judiciary and Rules Committee, I make a point to visit our corrections facilities regularly, because we make a lot of decisions in that committee relating to the criminal legal system.
Last month, a couple of days before Christmas, I met with a group of residents at the South Idaho Correctional Institution and heard about their mentoring program to assist folks transitioning. I was so impressed with these residents and their level of reflection and desire to give back to their communities. They are working with staff to create an environment where people can reflect and prepare for re-entry into the community. They are connected with people in the community who facilitate leadership classes and support them as leaders as they work to create better lives for themselves and others. In a time of such turmoil in our country, I was in tears listening to their stories and found truth and humanity in their presence.
One thing I have learned over the years is that locking folks up without thinking about how to help them make their lives better is a waste of time, people, and money. We can hold people accountable for mistakes without holding their humanity hostage.
One man shared this: "Doing Corrections SUCCESSFULLY = $ Savings/safer communities through...
- caring
- partnerships
- relationships
- normality
- life skills
- reentry support
- treating people like people.
Special thanks to the staff for believing in their jobs and the people they serve, making a positive difference in the short and long term.
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I joined Protect Idaho Kids to thank our Health Care Workers at local hospitals for their unrelenting compassion and service during this pandemic. I met Covid ICU nurses who shared their experiences. Blessing to them and their families for all they have done to help folks at their darkest hour.
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Thank you Susan from North End Studio for this lovely American Kestrel ornament that made our Christmas tree that much more beautiful.
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