SUPER IMPORTANT!! QUICK!!

Contact your Idaho Legislator
and plead -- 
"Please do not overturn
the Governor's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration" 

Idaho Legislature moves to limit response to COVID
These actions directly affect ALL of us!!!

IMPORTANT: On Friday, Gov. Little made a very unusual direct plea to us citizens to contact our legislators. Why? Because members of both the Idaho House and Senate are attempting to pass several bills and resolutions which would overturn the Governor's emergency declaration.

This is a BIG PROBLEM! ... It will cut off federal funding supporting Idaho's efforts to get vaccines distributed quickly, and vital support for unemployed, small businesses and education.

Conservative business groups such as the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI) made up of prominent businesses throughout Idaho and the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce have written letters asking our legislators NOT to overturn the emergency declaration.

We encourage you to send an email doing the same. A simple "Please do not overturn the Governor's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration" should get the message across. (Scroll down for more talking points if you want to elaborate).  

The Legislature is back in session today.
 

Timing is of the essence in this EXTREMELY IMPORTANT action!!  We borrowed this information from our local Democratic Women's group as it was well done, ready to go!!!  Thank you.  This is for ALL of us.
                                                    -- Sylvia Humes, chair
                                                       Bonner County Democratic Central                                                                       Committee
 

Below is contact info.

If you don’t know who your legislators are, go to https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/whosmylegislator/

Legislative District 1

Sen Jim Woodward: jwoodward@senate.Idaho.gov

Rep. Sage Dixon:  sdixon@house.Idaho.gov

Rep Heather Scott: hscott@house.Idaho.gov

Legislative District 7:  

Sen Carl Crabtree: ccrabtree@senate.Idaho.gov

Rep Charlie Shepherd: cshepherd@house.Idaho.gov

Speaker of the House Scott Bedke: (sbedke@house.idaho.gov)  

Rep Priscilla Giddings: pgiddings@house.Idaho.gov

Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder: (cwinder@senate.idaho.gov)

More talking points, if you are so inclined:

Suggested script: I am (name) from (city) and I fully support the ability of the Governor to create emergency orders to keep us safe, and I support following his current plan. I ask you to vote NO on ANY resolutions or bills that terminate the current state of emergency or that put Idahoans in jeopardy of being unable to receive emergency COVID relief funds.

Talking points: (Please add your own personal story about how the Governor’s plan has affected you and your family, or include one or more of these talking points)

• It appears that legislators have gone too far beyond their expertise to basically declare the emergency is over as if the pandemic were over. The emergency is not over, nor is the pandemic.
• The legislature is denying the seriousness of the pandemic and politicizing public health recommendations. Legislators are not experts in viral pandemics, while the health districts and the Governor are using experts whose advice should be followed.
• In an emergency situation, the Governor should have the power to declare the emergency because action can be taken immediately. If the legislature has to approve emergency plans, that cannot be done in a timely manner.
• After Gov. Little lifted restrictions in the summer, infections and deaths went up in the fall. Further lifting of restrictions now, especially with a new variant of the virus possibly coming to Idaho, would only increase infections and deaths even more.
• The cases and deaths in Idaho continue to rise. Federal funds for supplies, vaccinations, and personnel are critical. In addition, unemployment support, job support, educational support, and small business support is critical. If federal funds are unavailable to deal with this, how are cities and counties going to absorb these costs?
• There is a direct relationship between rising COVID cases and a sinking economy. Opening up is desired by all, but opening up with no restrictions is a sure way to sink the economy even more.
• There is no constitutional right to be free from wearing face coverings and/ or from social distancing. Freedom/liberty is always tempered with responsibility for public safety.
• The power to declare a state of emergency is legally given to the Governor in the Idaho constitution. If the legislature wants to weigh in on emergency measures, an amendment to the constitution to allow an emergency special legislative session offers a more in-depth consideration of authority, protocol, goals and timelines.
• As with most emergency declarations, safety considerations and long-term results should be valued over political differences. Currently it is politics, party, and power over safety