Recognizing the USS Idaho
48th Annual Boise March for Life
Right to Life for Idaho hosted their 48th Annual Boise March for Life on January 23rd. The yearly march, hosted by the oldest pro-life organization in the state, was scheduled to coincide closely with the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on January 22nd. Intended as a celebration of life, hundreds joined together to walk from Julia Davis Park to the Capitol building and listen to speakers share their personal stories of why they became pro-life and how it has affected them. Among the attendees were several legislators.
Idaho Potato Commission Presents 2020 Report
The Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee was pleased this week to welcome a presentation from the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) featuring their annual report for 2020/2021, which included challenges faced in 2020 and pandemic impacts.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Idaho potatoes were deemed the most economic food with sales going off the charts as families stocked up during those uncertain times. Forty million pounds of potatoes made their way on and off store shelves through retail sales alone, making potatoes the third-most coveted item behind toilet paper and hand sanitizer. By the end of 2020, the IPC hit a record revenue and added over $46,000 to their reserves.
They also shared their marketing program built to meet their main marketing goals: to stimulate demand for all Idaho potato-branded products both domestically and internationally; to teach consumers that Idaho potatoes are nutritious; heart-healthy, and relevant for today’s lifestyles, to build consumer loyalty; and to increase grower understanding and support for the IPC.
Wrongful Conviction Act Heads to Senate Floor
Last year, the original Wrongful Conviction Act also passed the Senate unanimously but was vetoed by the Governor after the legislature adjourned. After working with the Governor’s office to address minor concerns, the bill sponsor, Senator Doug Ricks from Rexburg, said the updated bill has some improvements, and the emergency clause will make it effective when the Governor signs it. Past exonerees will have two years to file a claim, and any future eligible exoneree will have two years from the date of their exoneration to file.
The Senate committee heard emotional testimony of Christopher Tapp, the inspiration for the bill. Tapp served 20 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted for the rape and murder of Angie Dodge in 1998. With help from the Idaho Innocence Project, Tapp was ultimately exonerated when DNA evidence matched Dodge’s neighbor Brian Leigh Dripps to the DNA found at the crime scene.
“Being in prison is as horrible as you can imagine, and being there when you are innocent is that much worse. I missed out on 20 years of my life. I wasn’t able to spend my father’s last years with him or go to his funeral when he passed. … I was released with no more than the clothes on my back, left completely relying on family and friends to help me while I tried to rebuild my life.” Tapp told the committee.
The revised bill now heads to the Senate floor.
Universities Gather from Across the State
This week in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC), House Education Committee, and Senate Education Committee, colleges and universities around the state shared how 2021 is a launchpad promoting academic success.
- Boise State University boasted that 64% of their alumni choose to stay, live, and work in the Treasure Valley.
- daho State University has an 89% Idaho Resident student base and $15.8 million in scholarships awarded annually.
- Lewis and Clark State College had an increase of 10% in their graduating class size in the last 3 years and a remarkable 82% of graduates being able to pay back debt fully within 5 years of graduation.
- The University of Idaho has a $1.1 billion annual benefit to the State of Idaho as well as being ranked #1 by the U.S News and World Report as the Best Value Public University.
SJR101 Debated by the Public
S1017 Heads for the Floor of the Senate
Annual 'State of the Judiciary' Presented Remotely
IDAHO STATISTICS & RANKINGS
The State of Small Business
- Idaho has 169,151 small businesses, representing 99.2% of all businesses in the state. (Business Journal of North Idaho)
- Small businesses employ 325,294 people. They account for 56.3% of Idaho’s workforce. (Idaho Small Business Economic Profile)
- Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Idaho’s small businesses created 16,609 net new jobs. (Business Jornalist of North Idaho)
Legislation at a Glance
H0026: This legislation would eliminate the use of the habitual status offender definition and prevent status offenders from being detained in secure facilities instead of juvenile shelter care facilities. The bill was passed out of the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration and is filed for its Second Reading in the House.
HCR002: This concurrent resolution would lift the restrictions on group sizes of ten or more imposed by the Governor’s emergency declaration. The resolution was passed out of the House State Affairs with a Do Pass recommendation and filed for its Third Reading in the House.
HJR001: This joint resolution would amend the Idaho Constitution to allow the Legislature to convene itself into an extraordinary session within 15 days of a written request of 60% each of the House and Senate membership. The bill passed the House with a vote of 51-18-1 and was introduced to the Senate. It was referred to the Senate State Affairs.
S1006: This legislation would consolidate current statutory requirements for literacy intervention and update provisions in alignment with the Task Force recommendation for focusing on the importance of having every student reading at grade level by the end of grade 3. The bill was passed out of the Senate Education Committee with a Do Pass recommendation and is filed for its Second Reading.