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It’s been a little over a month since the Legislative session ended! I have spent a little time in the garden and running my dog in the foothills to recharge the battery 😀 I’ve been getting out in the community, meeting people and continuing to advocate for our community. Here’s a brief update. Please keep in touch and reach out if you have questions!
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OUR LIBRARIES AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT
ON THE BALLOT TODAY
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Today, May 16th some neighborhoods in District 19, such as Hidden Springs and Avimor, will vote for the Ada County Free Library Trustees. Voters face stark choices, between far-right candidates aligned with the book banners and candidates who will protect our libraries from censorship and baseless attacks.
If you vote in this election I encourage your vote for Mary Anne Saunders and Sandra Taylor in these races.
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For the other seat, Sandra Taylor is the candidate better suited to protecting our libraries. Taylor's opponent refused to respond to a candidate questionnaire put forth by the Idaho Press as well as questions from the Idaho Statesman, while maintaining a website that makes it clear she will take an ideological approach to library oversight.
If you live in Ada County and are uncertain about whether you have an election today, you can enter your address into this county website to see your sample ballot and polling location. The polls are open 8am to 8pm.
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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY
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We love Boise, and we are honored to serve this community, a community that is known for welcoming people from all walks of life and celebrating what makes us who we are.
Our state has fiercely fought for human rights and dignity in the past by expelling white supremacists in northern Idaho in the late 1990s and advocating for the rights of our LGBTQ+ community in the present, standing up for a world where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and to live the life they choose without disdain or fear.
Click here to read the full letter to District 19.
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April – Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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I joined Governor Little, FACES of Hope, law enforcement officers, advocates and many other stakeholders to raise awareness about the unfortunate reality of the pervasiveness of sexual violence in our world and the disproportionate impacts on girls, women, and children.
I am proud that so many stakeholders in the room joined me to pass legislation over the course of 5 years to transform how we process, track, and preserve sexual assault kit evidence. However, a compassionate and professional response is not enough to end violence.
Physical violence occurs on a continuum that begins with sexist attitudes, values and beliefs; when we treat people as objects whose rights are not valued, it’s much easier to commit acts of violence against them. Therefore, part of sexual assault awareness month is awareness of investing in “up river” solutions to prevent violence before it occurs. Address sexist attitudes and actions and confront sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression. And remember, men are not the enemy. Patriarchal systems that deny women and gender non-conforming people access to their rights, education, and public service are.
The work continues! Thank you for joining me.
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City Club Forum – Hidden Histories
Last week, I had the honor to join Professors Mckay Cunningham and Latonia Haney Keith and their students at City Club to discuss the impacts of redlining and S1240 which was passed into law in 2022 to allow homeowners to address racially restrictive language on property deeds and covenants through the county clerk’s office.
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Watch this video below to learn how these racist practices used by the federal government and the private sector segregated people by race and limited one of the main ways Americans accumulate wealth —through private property ownership. Learn about these long lasting impacts on people of color today.
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STEPS FOR SCHOOLS
I joined Longfellow Elementary students today to present them with a check for their school! Thank you Blue Cross of Idaho for sponsoring Steps for Schools to encourage legislators to get out of their seats for their health and the health of our public schools.
These students and their teachers inspire me!!!!!
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GIRL SCOUTS IN THE SENATE!
A week after the session ended and still a little shell-shocked, I took this group of Girl Scouts for a tour in the State Capitol. Had a great time with them! 😀
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Thank you for your continued support!
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