Opinion Piece
A friend of mine dropped by unannounced the other day. We had a wonderful visit, reliving old times, talking about how much Idaho has changed over the years. We spoke of friends that are no longer with us, good times, hardships we have endured, and the benefits and drawbacks of getting older. We spoke at length about family values, agreeing we both support strong moral principles, good education, the opportunity to provide a way for our children to have ensure a good life. That is a conversation not just in Idaho but shared across America. Eventually our discussion turned to politics and the upcoming legislative session starting in January 2024. My friend asked me, in all sincerity, to explain why Idaho politics has become so divisive. Why have politicians become so argumentative and disrespectful of one another? As a politician, I took to heart what I was hearing, not with a grain of salt, but with a heaping spoonful of embarrassment for how Idaho’s legislature is perceived.
Being the first to admit that politics, politicians, and ideologies in the US and Idaho are becoming more extreme, I find it alarming that some politicians feel the need to adhere to a party platform and that adherence appears to be more important than listening to and representing the people of Idaho. There is no longer a focus for working on behalf of the people who elected us. It seems we spend our time arguing amongst ourselves over matters better left to the family or individual instead of focusing on important issues like ensuring that all Idahoan’s have access to affordable healthcare, free public education, and the liberty to follow his or her own convictions without fear of reprisal.
Many politicians do not understand that morality or values cannot be legislated. Values differ from individual to individual. It is not to say one person’s values are better than or worse than another’s, just different. There is disagreement over what books should be in a library or who can sue whom for reasons that are, truthfully, just plain punitive in nature. During all this bickering, we forget to acknowledge and provide support to those people and organizations that help everyday Idahoans. I feel improving reimbursement rates for Medicare/Medicaid providers, long lasting and meaningful tax relief, funding childcare across the state as well as care for our population of people with developmental disabilities would be a better use of our time. We need to find ways to encourage medical professionals to move to Idaho instead of passing legislation discouraging them from practicing in the State of Idaho.
My friend asked me, “If we (the politicians) were to put our differences aside, what would we have?” My answer was this. A group of people who agree and want the freedom to provide a better life for themselves and their children. People that desire the freedom to choose their healthcare professionals and the type of care they need. Those that believe in having access to an education system that will embolden their children to think critically, not singularly.
As an elected official I exemplify integrity, dignity, and civility. Anger and frustration lead to roadblocks. Name calling and being disrespectful are not productive. Common sense is necessary in our decision making, remembering that no matter how thin or blurry a line might be, there are always two sides. Collaboration and understanding are from all involved will ensure that Idaho remains the Gem State.
SB 1161 Empowering Parents Grant Program.
This bill underwent extensive debate. In the end, it passed the Senate floor 19-15-1. This bill takes $30 million from the above mentioned $330 million to fund the Empowering Parents Grant program. This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students per year to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This money will be used for private schooling. As a colleague said, “this is a winner for 2000 students, the rest of the students lose.”
HB 292 is a property tax relief bill.
It would provide $355 million in tax relief immediate and ongoing. It also provides $100 million to public schools to pay off bonds and levies, with the ability to use any leftover money on their facilities. One issue with this is that the bill removes the March school district election date for bonds and levies. This election date was a negotiated date and is important to our school boards. We have worked hard to get this amended but with no luck.
HB 205 is a voting restriction bill.
This would have repealed no-excuse, absentee voting; a method of voting we have had in place since 1970. Fortunately, the bill was killed in the House.
The Best News of the Week
SB 1127 State Dinosaur 35-0
Thanks to the fourth-grade class at South Fork Elementary School, Idaho now has a state dinosaur!!! Oryctodromeus. This is the best known and most common dinosaur found in Idaho. This dinosaur has only been discovered in Idaho. This dinosaur is believed to have been an herbivore that cared for its young in family groups underground. Pretty cool to have state dinosaur! (I stood and thanked the fourth graders for not choosing me as the state dinosaur).
I reached my goal of 10,000 steps a day for the month of February. Blue Cross of Idaho challenged all legislators to achieve this. As a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will donate $1000.00 dollars to the Valley School District. This year the program generated $47,000.00 dollars for public Idaho elementary schools.
