From Senator Melissa Wintrow
I'm working diligently on legislation relating to the circuit breaker, debt collection, contraceptive availability, and sexual assault. As I focus on solving these problems, the legislature is consumed by conflict and anger from the majority party fighting to wrest power from the Governor, dismantle Health Districts, and permanently ban the use of medical cannabis. While this is going on, alt-right members like Ron Nate disrupt JFAC and attack universities for adhering to first amendment rights and work to cut their funding. I promise you I will continue to fight for fairness and inclusion and confront myths and misinformation with facts and reason.
My committees in the Senate:
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Add the Words Introduced for the 15th Time
Let's honor everyone who fights for Human Rights!
On behalf of the entire Democratic Caucus and thousands of Idahoans, we reintroduced S1030, better known as Add the Words. This marks the 15th year we have tried to add protections against discrimination based on “sexual orientation and gender identity” into Idaho’s Human Rights Act. As a “freshman” legislator in 2015, I served on the only committee to grant a full hearing for this legislation in all those years. After approximately 24 hours of heart wrenching testimony, the bill failed to pass along a party line vote. I remember the devastating reactions and the tears and heartache, which is why it’s so important to continue to fight for our neighbors, family, and friends.
Unfortunately, it is not likely that S1030 will get a hearing, but it’s still important to file what we call a personal bill to put it “on record” as something that is still very much needed. And, even though the Supreme Court decision issued in June 2020 indicated that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ employees from descrimination, this decision does not extend to other important issues like housing and public services. We want to see a statewide amendment that allows for more enforceable protections going beyond the patchwork of city ordinances that have passed. I want to thank the hundreds of stakeholders who have fought to raise awareness and for those who even got arrested for peacefully protesting in our Statehouse. A special thanks goes to former Senator LeFavor who worked so hard to get that first and only hearing and for all that she endured as a leader and legislator. Her strength, along with so many, is forever etched in our memories and hearts.
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Vaccine Distribution and Updates
As we continue to navigate the ongoing implications of COVID19, vaccination availability is a new challenge we face. Governor Little signed an executive order to speed up the rollout safely as well as promote transparency in the process. This order requires public health districts and healthcare providers to provide regular reports on the vaccine allocation, administration, and current inventory, which will be available on February 8.
I am relieved the vaccinations have been approved and are proving to stand up against the virus mutations.
Listed below find RESOURCES about vaccines distribution:
Idaho has received approximately 163,000 doses and documented distribution of 73,209. Of the remaining doses, some have not been formally reported due to varying record keeping, and the rest have been scheduled.
Are you 65+ years of age? Schedule for you starts on FEBRUARY 1st!
St. Alphonsus has opened an online scheduling portal.
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Health Districts Vs. Emergency Declarations
There has been a lot of discussion about public health orders and health districts and who has authority to enact orders to protect public health. Idaho code grants authority to cities, public health districts, and school districts to adopt all public health measures the entity deems necessary to preserve public health and those measures have the force of law. For those of us in Boise, we have seen orders enacted at the city level and county level as COVID19 cases increased and risked overwhelming hospitals.
The Governor or Director of the Department of Health and Welfare has statutory authority to issue Public Health Orders, like the Stay-at-Home Order in April and the various orders to limit social gatherings in the interest of public health.
Click Here to Read More…..
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SJR101 Constitutional Amendment vs. Medical Cannabis Act
Currently, there is a constitutional amendment, SJR101, in the works on the Senate side, which would effectively operate as a permanent ban on medical cannabis, and under current code even most CBD oil, as any product containing any quantity of THC is still a Schedule 1 drug in Idaho. We would very likely end up in a scenario where medical cannabis, CBD and other “psychoactive drugs” are legalized federally, legalized in 49 other states, but Idaho would be constitutionally prohibited from allowing even highly regulated, controlled medicinal use. The legislation, drafted by Sen. C. Scott Grow, permits legalization in Idaho if approved by the FDA or part of a documented clinical investigation under the FDA. It is almost inconceivable that medical cannabis or CBD will ever meet either of these thresholds.
I oppose this SJR101 because it would ban valuable medical treatments, which would be so harmful to so many people struggling with pain and cancer.
Senators Stennett and Burgoyne submitted a very good response letter detailing the reasons behind opposing the bill.
I was deeply moved by the testimony of Sergeant Kitzhaber who is working with Rep Rubel to introduce the Medical Cannabis Act. Sen Grow's amendment would be in direct opposition to this.
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30 x 30
I’m pleased to report that I signed on with more than 400 state and local officials from 43 states to call on the U.S. Congress to set a federal goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s land, water, and ocean by 2030.
This is a critical goal to confront the worsening climate crisis; and the benefits go beyond protecting our land and wildlife—this objective would also help maintain food, water, and energy security. A robust approach also helps mitigate the damaging effects of natural disasters and boosts the nation’s outdoor recreation industry. All 30 X 30 goals should consider equitable and inclusive conservation practices, continued observance of tribal nations’ sovereignty, protection of biodiversity, scientific guidance, in addition to locally-led conservation efforts.
The full letter can be viewed here.
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The internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Regardless the day, let us remember and honor the millions of people who were murdered through hate and struggle for power. Let us resolve ourselves not to forget and to work to end facism and hate throughout the world.
“Even in darkness it is possible to create light and encourage compassion. That it is possible to feel free inside a prison. That even in exile, friendship exists and can become an anchor. That one instant before dying, man is still immortal.” -- Elie Wiesel
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