I have just completed the 2019 session representing you, my neighbors in District 7, in the Idaho State Senate. I have served you on the Education Committee, the Transportation Committee (vice chairman), and the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) – the committee that recommends Idaho’s state budget. I have also been elected to the Legislative [...]
That may be a bit dramatic and tongue-in-cheek for how legislators feel right now, but most believe this will be the last week of this legislative session. Records show that on election years legislators get their work done sooner than non-election years like this one. Seems like they can think faster in Boise on election [...]
Well, in truth, I’m not sure I heard anyone but me say that! But it does seem to be the theme around here. Legislators are busy pontificating about their personal theories of Medicaid expansion, voter initiatives, and the like. Meanwhile, the voters seem exhausted as emails have dropped off dramatically. Even the advocacy groups that [...]
This may be the last week of the Legislature for 2019...Yeah! Who knows for sure, but with any luck, the major things keeping the Legislature in Boise will be voted on – win, lose or draw! Those issues include the “federalism” bill, HB169, Medicaid sideboards, and a repatriation tax relief bill. I am strictly speculating [...]
Friends, this is the stage of the legislature when crazy things happen (yes, more than normal)! Legislators are worn down, cranky, and legislation is coming in waves. The big decisions have been put off until now, namely Prop 2 final funding decisions, and the education funding formula. Plus, folks are gumming up the works with [...]
Elks in town Pictured with Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin and Dan Tackett The Idaho Elks Lodge was in town visiting with legislators about their important community service work. Dan Tackett from Grangeville is vice president. He is one of the most civically-minded people in Grangeville. The Elks served root beer floats to legislators [...]
Jared Everson, Grangeville; Katie Mosman, Grangeville; Ben Schumacher, Greencreek I got to have dinner with the Leadership Idaho Ag delegates this week. Idaho County had the most delegates of any county in the state as far as I could tell. This group of young people are selected for their potential leadership skills. They [...]
4-H Know Your Government 4-H members from all over the state spent Presidents Day weekend in Boise, attending the Know Your Government Conference. The idea is to empower youth to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. As most of you know, I’m a big promoter of 4-H! One [...]
I never really know the kinds of things you like to know about your Idaho Legislature. I realize most of you are no kind of political junkies who spend a lot of time studying bills and such. I try to let you know what I think you may be interested in, that I know something [...]
When I write newsletters, I never know what you will be interested in. Last week, I wrote about what to do about the problem of transportation funding in Idaho. I got a great response! Many of you engaged with ideas I had not thought of or heard before. Nobody thought what we were doing was [...]
