Dear Friends, The first week of the 2022 legislative session has been exciting and new beginnings bring new challenges and opportunities. I serve on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and that position has allowed me to be a major part of building Idaho’s budget. We built a balanced, fiscally responsible budget in the last…
Dignity & Nondiscrimination in Public Education The Senate passed House Bill 377 on April 26th, also known as the Dignity and Nondiscrimination in Public Education Bill. The bill calls on K-12 schools and universities to foster and defend intellectual rigor and promote freedom of speech, freedom of association, and the free exchange of ideas. This…
Education Budgets Delivered to the Governor The Senate and House both passed major budget bills funding Idaho’s education system last week. The largest was House Bill 385, a $1.1 billion teacher salary budget that covers pay increases under the state’s teacher salary career fund and other benefits for educators. The $702 million K-12 operations budget…
100 Days in Session for the LegislatureApril 20 marked the 100th day of the 2021 Idaho Legislative Session which includes the two-week recess from March 22nd through April 5th which was requested by the House of Representatives. We are currently in the third longest session in Idaho History and headed towards the record-holding 118th day…
Senate Advances Legislation Reaffirming Idaho’s Commitment to Gun RightsOn April 14 Senator Lakey introduced S1205, the Idaho Firearm and Firearm Accessories and Components Protection Act. In response to President Biden’s proposed executive action, this bill reaffirms the Idaho Senate’s commitment to protecting Idahoan’s constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. The bill prevents any…
HCR 13 Promoting Idaho Women’s DayHouse Concurrent Resolution 13 permanently establishes March 14 as Idaho Women’s Day. On March 14, 1891, the first Idaho Legislature adopted the Idaho State Seal, an emblem designed by Emma Edwards Green. She is the only known woman to have created a state seal. The Resolution also recognizes the centennial…
Transportation Agenda Set for Legislature’s Return The Senate has several House transportation bills awaiting its consideration upon the Legislature’s return on April 6th. The largest piece of legislation is H326, a $813,174,100 appropriations bill for the Idaho Transportation Department. The funds supply 1,648 full-time positions within the department and finance bridge maintenance among other projects.…
Legislature Will Return from Recess April 6thDue to an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Idaho House of Representatives, House leadership immediately shut down committee meetings last week. It urged the Senate to concur with their request to recess until Tuesday, April 6. There are currently no senators with COVID-19. Article 3 of…
House Advances Tax Relief to the SenateAn income tax cut and tax rebate arrived in the Senate this week after passing the House. H332, which received a House vote of 58-12-0, would reduce all income tax brackets and cap the top individual and corporate tax bracket at 6.5%. These changes would apply retroactively beginning on…
House and Senate Celebrate Idaho Day & the 100th Anniversary of the Capital Senators and Representatives celebrated the Gem State’s history and future with Idaho Day on the 4th. The holiday, which was signed into law by Governor Otter in 2014, marks the day that President Lincoln created the Idaho territory on March 4, 1863.…