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Melissa Wintrow for Senate District 19

Senator Melissa Wintrow


I wish you a happy and healthy new year. I was glad to take vacation during the last week of December to rest and prepare for what may be an unpredictable session that begins on January 11, 2021. I'll keep you posted! 

My committees in the Senate: 

Use Idaho’s excess revenues to save lives, not more money 

Published in the Press Tribune Dec. 23, 2020

What if you were hanging on the edge of a cliff and your friend leaned down and started rapping hard on your fingers, at the same time telling you it will be alright? Unfortunately, that’s what some Idaho politicians are doing to citizens trying to access vital services amid this pandemic to keep from completely falling off the edge of a financial cliff.  
 
In fact, in the face of unprecedented revenue surpluses, last week Gov. Brad Little proposed a tax cut, transportation spending and an inappreciable tip of the hat to education, instead of investing in our state and citizens when we need it most. There was no specific mention about how we can support teachers stretched beyond capacity, nor on how to support the strain on our health care system beyond trying to bribe unmasked Idahoans to take heed and do the right thing or their tax cuts will be eaten up in the health care system. There was also no clarification about who would receive a tax cut, leaving Idahoans worrying they’ll be paying more taxes to supplement additional cuts for the wealthiest taxpayers. 
 
I won’t ask politicians to read between the lines, I will spell it out: We need to invest in our health care systems, workers and facilities, as well as housing preservation. Hospitals are on the brink of rationing care due to the rise COVID-19 cases, because we can’t require a simple facial covering and limit social gatherings. And yet, Republican leaders are discussing how they can gut funding toward health care, like Medicaid, at a time when it’s most needed. 

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY
 

Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) and
Where Relief Funding Has Gone

It has been a busy year serving on the Governor's CFAC; we met 25 times since April and allocated almost all of the $1.25 billion from the CARES Act to health care workers and facilities including nursing homes and veterans homes, local businesses, the department of education, broadband grants to increase connectivity, health and welfare for vaccinations and testing, just to name a few programs.

I'm so grateful I was assigned to the committee because it allowed me to create proposals that the committee and the Governor approved that helped Idahoans in need during this pandemic: proposals for rental assistance ($15 million) and for the Idaho Food Bank ($2 million). Unfortunately, the state allocations are running out, but the federal package that was approved in Congress will provide $200 million for rental assistance for folks struggling to stay in their homes, financial support for live venues which have suffered since crowds cannot gather, and many more services. 

Now more than ever, we need to keep our economy going and assist families that have been hit hard by this pandemic.  You can see all the CFAC allocations and the meeting minutes on the Governor's website. 

The last meeting was held on Wed., Dec. 23 where we allocated the last of the federal funds that we could under the current federal guidelines.  Director Dave Jeppesen presented the Department of Health and Welfare’s proposal for $29,000,000 to bridge the gap in funding for Health and Welfare until the new federal stimulus bill is implemented as well as cover the few categories the federal bill does not. These costs include help covering mass vaccination, financial relief to healthcare providers, hospital surge capacity, and communications to the citizens for things such as vaccine updates. 

Click here for information about vaccine distribution and prioritization.


Another one of the allocations was for additional security with the Idaho State Police for the upcoming legislative session. While I supported the allocation, I did share my concerns with the level of disruption and violence that was tolerated during the Extraordinary Session in August. My sense is that after the disruptions of Health District meetings and intimidation of public officials, a decision was made to provide additional security.  I just hope that they won't be needed, and if there are violent disruptions again (like glass doors being broken) that appropriate action will be taken.  
 

Sincere Thanks to Our Health Care Workers!

It was such an honor to join Protect Idaho Kids (Bruce Wingate) and the 501st Rebel Legion before the holiday as we delivered treats and thanks to St. Luke’s and St. Al’s hospitals for all they are doing in this pandemic.

Let’s share our thanks by masking up, limiting our contacts, and physical distancing. Thank you so much for all you do!

Deep Gratitude for our Teachers and Students 

I joined a group of Boise High School students on a zoom call in December to check in. I was so moved when I asked how they were and the first thing they discussed was the concern and admiration they had for their teachers. Our teachers are under a great deal of stress and are working very hard every day to create ways to keep students engaged in this very difficult time. 
I have so much respect for all our teachers are doing and their efforts became even more clear after a call with School Superintendents in our region. Because of the financial and emotional stresses of the pandemic, many teachers and school staff are working overtime to identify "missing" students and those who have become homeless.

There were so many heartbreaking stories about teachers finding families living in their cars because they couldn't afford their rent. The biggest barrier that many districts face is finding ACCESSIBLE HOUSING for families and their students. They reported that they are finding food access, clothing, connection to other resources, but finding permanent housing is the most difficult thing. 

At the time of that call, here is what superintendents reported regarding the number of students that are homeless in their districts:

West Ada - 300+
Nampa - 1,000
Caldwell - 189 homeless or in transition
Fruitland - 39
COSSA has 20 of 130 homeless in our alternative school = 15%
Marsing - 54
Basin - 11 

In the middle of explosive growth in our state, there is a shortage of affordable and workforce housing that is pushing people into homelessness and poverty. The state must get more involved and utilize some of our excess revenue to help our families.  It doesn't take research or schooling to know that housing is one of the most important indicators of health and safety. If you don't have a stable and safe home, you can't thrive, let alone learn. It has never been more important for our state to focus on education funding and supporting our families with basic assistance such as housing and health care during this crisis and beyond.  I will continue to fight for our families and advocate that we utilize the funding we have to invest in our future. 
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Paid for by Wintrow for Idaho | Treasurer Anne Kunkel
1711 Ridenbaugh, Boise, ID - 83702

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