"What we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe." bell hooks (1952-2021)
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Where My Bills Stand and Where They Are in the Process
S1240 - Racially Restrictive Covenants
The Idaho Senate voted unanimously on February 8th, 32-0, in favor of S1240, to allow Idahoans to remove racially restrictive covenants that still exist in the chain of title for many Idaho homes.
Although restrictive convenants were outlawed in 1968 by the Fair Housing Act, it does remain relevant today. This legislation won’t erase decades of wealth disparities and discrimination, but it does provide an affirmative statement in the chain of title going forward for the next buyer that this practice … is null and void.”
To read more about the hearing and bill, click here.
I am delighted to see this bill get passed and to give Idahoans this opportunity. While we may not be inherently responsible for the actions of the past, it is our responsibility to address discrimination and oppression now, and set a more fair stage for future generations.
S1259 - Property Tax Relief for In Home Caregivers
This legislation would allow someone who is the homeowner of a Certified Family Home to apply for property tax relief through the Property Tax Circuit Breaker (“Circuit Breaker”) program by exempting the payment they receive from the state to care for someone in their home from income counted toward the application for the Property Tax Circuit Breaker. I introduced this bill last year in House Rev and Tax and it was killed on the House floor.
This bill passed out of Senate Health and Welfare on February 10th and is headed to the Senate floor!
S1260 - Expanding Access to Prescriptive Contraception
This is the second time I have introduced this legislation, following the leadership of Sen Buckner Webb before me, to provide women the opportunity to access prescriptive contraception for more than 3 months at time. With pharmacy lines so long due to staffing shortages, it would be more than helpful to provide additional access to prescriptive contraception. Currently, insurance plans reimburse for only a 1 to 3 month supply of contraceptive supplies, which can create unnecessary barriers for women. This bill merely increases accessibility to contraceptive medicine for up to 6 months to help women in their own medication regimes.
Click here to read more in this Idaho Press story
This bill passed out of Senate Health and Welfare on February 10th and is headed to the Senate floor!
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Legislative Roundup
The House passed H442. It now heads to the Senate side.
Renters across Idaho should pay special attention to this bill. H442 would prohibit local governments across Idaho from placing reasonable caps on rental fees and deposits.
The result? With cities unable to ensure these basic protections, there are no checks on unscrupulous landlords who can bankrupt families with exorbitant fees.
This bill would tie the hands of local leaders working to make the process of finding and keeping a home more affordable and manageable as rental prices continue to rise.
Idaho has an affordable housing crisis. We should be working to provide renters more consumer protections, not less. Rather than put forward common-sense solutions to solve this crisis (like providing property tax relief) Republican legislators, led by Rep. Joe Palmer, are helping line the pockets of out-of-state landlords and real estate investors. To read more about this bill, click here.
Click the image below to take action on HB 442.
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S1262 - Firearms in a Disaster, arming insurgents
The Senate passed a bill this week exempting guns from the state’s laws around disaster declarations.
The result would be an enhancement of protection for firearms and ammunition during a declared disaster emergency. It establishes fire-arm-related commerce as an essential business. It also establishes that firearms may not be seized pursuant to a disaster emergency declaration. I voted against this bill because in the case of terrorists or insurrection, the executive branch should be able to seize firearms. To read more about S1262, click here.
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H509 - Grocery Tax Credit
After much debate and with bipartisan opposition, H509, raising the grocery tax credit by $20 per person starting with tax returns filed in 2024 for the 2023 tax year has passed the House, 40-27. Much of the debate centered on concerns that the increase wasn't enough, particularly with the current high rate of inflation for groceries.
This bill ups the grocery tax credit by $20, but Idahoans wouldn't receive that benefit until they file taxes in 2024. With the state budget coffers full, I would have preferred a repeal on the tax on groceries instead of a lopsided income tax cut.
H461 - Heroes' Legacy Scholarship
Sponsored by Rep Chris Mathias, this bill allows the dependents of Idaho soldiers killed during an inactive-duty training exercise to qualify for the Heroes' Legacy Scholarship, which waives tuition. Currently, it only applies to the dependents of those killed in active duty. It also would apply to families of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics.
HB 461 passed the house on February 9th 67-0!
S1268 - Identification Cards for folks experiencing Homelessness
I worked a bit behind the scenes on this bill sponsored by Sen Den Hartog to provide access for people experiencing homeless to get a free photo ID. I worked with Jodi Petersen Stigers a few years ago to get portable ID stations in the Department of Corrections. She met with Sen Den Hartog and I along with ITD staff to create the process where homeless folks can get a free ID. This is a great step because this allows folks to access so many resources, including a job.
S1268 passed out of the Transportation Committee on a unanimous vote and is headed for the Senate floor for a full vote.
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Office of Performance Evaluation
The Idaho State Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluation is a nonpartisan, independent office of the Legislature. They evaluate whether state government programs and agencies are operating efficiently and cost-effectively and are achieving intended results.
The subjects of OPE's evaluations are proposed by Members of the Legislature and chosen by the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee--I am a member of this committee. Two recent evaluations covered emergency medical services and school facilities.
Emergency Medical Services: Idaho Code does not designate EMS as an essential government service, and therefore does not guarantee access for all Idahoans. The majority of providers in rural Idaho are volunteers and just 18% of EMS directors report that their agency is able to maintain sufficient staff. Staffing issues have frequently delayed responses and patients in some areas have received a lower quality of care.
School Facilities: Idaho spends less on school buildings annually than any of our neighboring states. A statewide facility condition assessment of K-12 public school buildings is needed. The last assessment was done in 1993, and Idaho's Districts do not reliably submit maintenance plans, so information on the condition of school facilities statewide is limited.
Needs that must be addressed and buildings that may need to be replaced entirely. A low estimate of the funds needed to get all schools in Idaho to at least good condition is over $800 million.
BROADBAND
The Federal Communications Commission has issued new guidance for the affordable connectivity program. This program provides eligible households with discounts of up to $30 a month for broadband services (up to $75 a month if the household is on tribal lands) and a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet. The FCC's recent decision incorporated many requests from local governments and included a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on how local governments and community partners can partner with the FCC on program outreach. School district administrators that responded to OPE's survey, nearly 60% rated their school buildings in fair or poor condition across all school types. Schools rated fair or poor have deferred maintenance.
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Pet Friendly License Plates
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In 2019, I worked with former Representative Hy Kloc to get the Pet-Friendly License Plate legisl ation passed. The legislation created a new "pet-friendly" license plate that features a dog and a cat. All proceeds from the sales of the plate are being held by the Idaho Humane Society in the Pet’s Lover’s Fund.
The fund is divided between animal rescue groups, non-profit animal shelters, and municipal shelters to help low-income residents pay for spay and neuter procedures for their cats and dogs. In 2020, the fund distributed $31,000 and the amounts are growing!
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The Pet Friendly plate’s average monthly growth is 4.3% - that is more than double the average special plate program! You can purchase one of these plates at the DMV and help a support system for the groups that do the hard work required to make sure every animal in Idaho has a high quality of life.
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Apply for the AARP Community Challenge Grant!
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The AARP is accepting applications for their 2022 Community Challenge grant program.
This is a great opportunity to apply for “quick-action” projects that make communities more livable and jump-start long-term change. Click here for some quick facts and stats.
Since 2017, AARP has awarded 17 grants in Idaho totaling more than $171,000.
If you are thinking of applying, there is a meeting on February 23rd at 11:00 am MT. You can learn more about how to apply, what to expect during the process, and what makes a successful application. Those interested in this virtual meeting can register here.
The deadline for eligible applications is March 22, 5:00 p.m. ET. Projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. The program is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. More information about the grant can be found here, and application details can be found here.
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District 19 Virtual Town Hall - February
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 AT 6:00 PM MST
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.
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Foster Care-Awareness Day at the Capitol!
The gathering for Foster Care-Awareness Day at the Idaho State Capitol was hosted by Idaho Voices for Children. The group sought to tell legislators the experience of foster kids in the Gem State. I genuinely enjoyed my time talking to fellow constituents about their experiences, thoughts, and beliefs on the importance of foster care programs in our state.
I serve on the Foster Care Oversight Committee and have been working with stakeholders all summer on filling gaps in the system and ensuring that funds are allocated to support these programs.
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Ivy Smith, a former intern, and extraordinary advocate for teens in foster care, testified before our comittee.
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Some Boise High students were on a scavenger hunt and found me in my office!
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I met with Boise High and Renaissance High school students this week, preparing to meet with Senators about legislation we are developing to promote education about safe use and storage of firearms.
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Met with Christine Pisani and Richelle from the Council for Developmental Disabilities. I love them!
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Ran into an old friend from Boise State at the Chamber lunch. Great seeing you Felice!
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Local news resources to stay updated on the legislature:
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