WEEK 2 - LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
SHELL-SHOCKED
It's week 2 and still no substantive bills, like property tax relief, to address the real concerns that affect the majority of Idahoans in our state. Instead, committees have been filled with extreme social issue madness that intrude on personal privacy and public safety.
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MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS -- WHAT'S LEFT?
On MLK day, of all days, Senate State Affairs kicked off with Scott Herndon (R- D1), invoking the name of Martin Luther King Jr while he introduced a bill to remove any possibility to get an abortion if you are raped because a police report isn't enough to judge an "allegation" to be valid.
I asked him, "Let's say a 13-year-old girl was raped by an uncle, a father, a brother. We would a force that girl to carry a pregnancy and have a child and not get an abortion. Is that what I'm hearing?"
And Herndon (R-D1) replied “some people could describe the situation that you’re talking about as the opportunity to have the child under those terrible circumstances, if the rape actually occurred.”
Herndon's (R-D1) proposal is a new low. Idaho deserves better for women. The effect of this bill is to strip the victim-hood away from a woman who was forced into an unwanted pregnancy by an incestuous relative or by the sexual assault of a rapist. This is medieval. Women and girls need our protection from sexual assault. This bill would tell our women and girls that their victim-hood doesn't matter -- that the criminal conduct of some male has redeeming value to our our society. Why even have a rape statute?
GUNS AND STAND YOUR GROUND (S1004) and Militias (S1007)
Herndon (R- D1) brought a great bill -- for criminals -- where the prosecutor would have to have clear and convincing evidence to bring a charge against someone who kills a person because they "alleged" they felt threatened. It doesn't have to be on your own private property, either. This bill does protect the 2nd amendment rights....for criminals. Dan Forman (R-D6) brought a bill to allow "militias" like Aryan Nation groups to parade with weapons in public. What's next?
ATTACKS ON LGBTQ COMMUNITY
Gay Marriage Bans (RS3000C1)
In Senate Judiciary & Rules at 1:30pm, Monday, January 23
Tomorrow (Jan. 23), Mr. Herndon (R-D1) will bring a bill to another one of my committees, Senate Judiciary and Rules, to prohibit gay marriage as he tries to skirt the SCOTUS decision in 2015 that affirmed everyone has a right to marry the person of their choice by getting rid of marriage licenses and affirming that marriage is only between a "man and a woman." On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled in a landmark decision that the 14th Amendment requires all states to license marriages between same-sex couples and to recognize all marriages that were lawfully performed out of state. However, after the fall of Roe v. Wade this past June, which was grounded in the right to privacy, there is concern that other civil rights will also be challenged, like this one.
Prohibition on State Agencies to Support Public Events -- Like Pride (H12)
Rep Monks (R-D22) introduced a bill to prohibit state agencies from sponsoring public events unless they get the Governor's permission. He mentioned Boise's Pride event that was attacked by GOP chair Dorothy Moon who threatened businesses and got many of them to remove sponsorship from activities. They used the ruse that kids were being "sexualized" in drag, but I believe that was more about fear and disdain for gay people in general. Read my Op Ed that was printed last fall.
Rep Skaug (R-Nampa) Says No to testimony from constituents under 18
Rep Skaug, chair of the House Judiciary and Rules Committee has decided that no one under 18 can testify in his committee unless he expressly invites them. There have already been petitions circulating from students who are concerned about being cut out of their government process. I have always encouraged students to be involved and have even met with groups of students to assist them in accessing government. This is a surprising ruling since the legislature passed a law in 2021 that embraced civics education in schools.
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It's Worth Watching!
Here's a 2 minute run-down about what happened in the
Idaho Legislature this week....
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ADD THE WORDS -- PERSONAL BILL
Read Across the Senate Desk On Friday
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For past decade we have been trying to pass legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of who they are or who they love based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
I sat on the committee in 2015 (pictured below) when the “Add the Words”bill finally received the first full hearing, after years of community advocacy, only to be voted down on party lines.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to re-introduce this bill with public testimony since 2015, so each year the Democratic Caucus submits a personal bill to document the need for this legislation and to remind our state that a group of citizens, who is still subject to discrimination for who they are and who they love, continues to go unaddressed in state law.
We stand with the LGBTQ community and will do all we can to defend human rights and stand up to oppression, hate, and violence.
I am deeply saddened that we could not get a hearing once again this year, especially with all the attacks we are seeing on LGBTQ community members.
We must ALL continue to fight for human dignity and fairness in our state. Read the article in The Idaho Capital Sun.
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Each year, City Club of Boise hosts a forum for pundits to review the upcoming session. This is one of the best programs you can find that captures the problems and politics of session.
In response to Rep Skaug's (R) ruling to ban testimony for those under 18:
"...if you are going to force kids into pregnancy,
they should at least be able to testify in a committee..."
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Celebrating Martin Luther King Day and Idaho Human Rights Day
The celebration at the Capital on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Idaho Human Rights Day, was wonderful to be a part of! The rich culture that was shared in this space was inspiring and beautiful to witness. The Idaho Wassmuth Center for Human Rights led a march down to the statehouse where they then showed the beauty of diversity and culture. There was dancing, music, drums, and more.
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Former D19 Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb provided an inspiring keynote address for the event. She was the FIRST Black person to serve on the Idaho Legislature. In her speech she said:
“I’ve been running for justice for a long time, and I’m not tired yet.”
An amazing Senator, Social Worker, Community Advocate,\Diversity Advocate, and more.
We are lucky to have Cherie Buckner-Webb in our community!
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Donate today!
In honor of MLK Jr. Day and Idaho Human Rights Day, I would encourage you to donate to Idaho organizations fighting for equality. Here are a few of the great organizations in our state, just click the organizations' links below to donate:
Idaho Wassmuth Center for Human Rights
Idaho Black History Museum
Idaho Black Community Alliance
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Do you know someone in District 19 that deserves some recognition? We'd love to feature them in the newsletter! Click the link below to nominate a person, business, organization, or group that you believe is making our community better. We will pick one nomination each week to feature!
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District 19 Town Hall Schedule
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Hear from your District 19 legislators Senator Melissa Wintrow, Representative Lauren Necochea, and Representative Chris Mathias, on how the 2023 legislative session is going. Please email idahod19democrats@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023 AT 6:00 PM MST
Hidden Springs Elementary, Cafeteria (5480 W Hidden Springs Dr, 83714)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 AT 6:00 PM MST
Virtual on Line
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023 AT 6:00 PM MST
Idaho State Capitol, Lincoln Auditorium (700 W Jefferson St, 83702) |
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Local news resources to stay updated on the legislature:
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