Senator Melissa Wintrow
Senate Minority Leader
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WEEK 7 - LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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LET'S START WITH SOME GOOD NEWS
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H149 -- Clean Slate
Rep Rubel passed her Clean Slate bill out of the House with only one No vote. If all goes well in the Senate, soon nonviolent minor offenders who have gone 5 years without reoffending will have a path to sealing their record. This would meaningfully open up employment and housing opportunities.
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S1039 -- Reasonable Rental Fees
Senator Rabe's S1039 passed out of the Senate and is on the way to the House. This bill will ensure rental fees are transparent and reasonable. Nickel-and-diming folks who are already strained in our rental market ultimately hurts all of us, leading to more landlord and tenant disputes about rent getting paid on time, as well as increases in eviction and homelessness. Great work!
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My Bill Passed Out of Committee and On to the Senate Floor!
S1094 -- International Medical Graduates
I have been working with Dr. Scott Smith and Dr. Ted Epperly, along with many other stakeholders to create meaningful pathways for a medical residency for physicians who are refugees in the United States. Listen to this short introductory hearing explaining the program. This is a creative and effective way to increase the number of practicing physicians in the state (something drastically needed) while we connect families resettling in our country to their communities. Everyone wins!
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ADVOCACY IN THE STATEHOUSE
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CONGRATULATIONS!
KRISTYN HERBERT!
Kristyn received an award for her tireless advocacy on Fred Riggers Advocacy Day. The event honors outstanding advocates who are advancing disability rights and awareness.
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I met with powerful leaders this week. This group of disability advocates were meeting with legislators sharing the policy issues that matter most to them so they can maintain their independence and quality of life.
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Rep Necochea and I joined this amazing group of 4th graders from Longfellow Elementary in a stroll around the Statehouse as a part of the Steps for Schools program. If I can average 10,000 steps each day throughout February, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation will provide $1000 to one of the schools in my district. Stepping it up!
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A large crowd gathered on Friday to show support for our trans youth and stood in solidarity against legislation that has advanced to the Senate that would risk the lives of our youth by prohibiting gender affirming care.
Physicians, parents, and student leaders shared their experiences and how important it is to be able to access care that helps with gender dysphoria.
Everyone has the right to be who they are and live they life they choose. Eve, a powerful student leader (pictured here), shared her story. Every word resounded for us and strengthened our determination to educate people who don't understand what people are going through and fight against extremists who are spreading misinformation and hatefulness about the trans community.
H71 will be heard in one of my committees, Senate Judiciary and Rules, in the weeks to come. There are a lot of Senate bills that still need to go through that committee, so it probably won't be heard next week. I encourage folks to meet with the Senate Judiciary and Rules committee members and the co-sponsors of the bill (Sen Lori Den Hartog and Rep Bruce Skaug) if you would like to see this bill held in committee.
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Ballot Initiative Restrictions
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SJR 101 opens the door for a constitutional amendment to make Idaho’s ballot initiative process more difficult, confusing, and expensive.The resolution is nearly identical to a 2021 law struck down by the Idaho Supreme Court for infringing upon a fundamental right, reserved to the people of Idaho. It will be debated on the Senate floor tomorrow.
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Gender-Affirming Care Ban
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HB 71 criminalizes gender-affirming care for trans youth in Idaho, including puberty blockers and hormone treatments. A single Republican joined all 11 House Democrats in opposition to this harmful bill. It will be heard in the Senate Judiciary & Rules committee.
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Abortion Travel Ban
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HB 98 expands Idaho’s human trafficking laws to prohibit adults from assisting minors in receiving abortion care. Introduced by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, this is a blatant attempt to further restrict the reproductive freedoms and bodily autonomy of Idahoans. Helping minors access healthcare is nothing like human trafficking. But under this law, supportive adults could be charged with a felony and up to 5 years in jail
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Medicaid Expansion Repeal
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HB 123 eliminates health care coverage for more than 145,000 Idahoans whose income is too low for private insurance. Idaho voters overwhelmingly supported a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in the 2018 election.
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Library Book Bans
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HB 139 threatens libraries and schools with civil lawsuits over books deemed "harmful" by parents. Under the bill, any depiction of homosexuality is considered "offensive."
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I met with these great parents who have kids in Idaho's Head Start Programs. These parents were in the Statehouse to share all the great strides they have made with their kids due to this program. They are amazing!
Head Start programs support children's growth from birth to age 5 through services that support early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes.
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Met with a group of Planned Parenthood volunteers during advocacy week. Bright spot in the week!
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One of my constituents was in the Statehouse with her kids and stopped in to see me! So fun!
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H124 - Student IDs
Amaia Clayton was in Senate State Affairs with numerous students to testify against H124 that will eliminate a Student ID as a valid photo ID to vote in elections. Even though the bill sponsor could not cite one case of voter fraud and only 104 students used a college or high school ID to vote last election, the bill passed on party line vote. The majority party continues to whittle away access to the ballot.
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District 19 Town Hall
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023 AT 6:00 PM MST
Idaho State Capitol, Lincoln Auditorium (700 W Jefferson St, 83702)
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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. |
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Local news resources to stay updated on the legislature:
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