A difficult week for education

Last week started out with a couple of heartbreaks. S1110 passed the Senate nearly on party lines, the bill that would make it much more difficult to get a citizen-led initiative on the ballot. Our Constitution, Article III, Section 1, reserves the right of the people to propose laws. This was first added to our Constitution in 1912 during a time when the people decided they needed to find a path to overcome a recalcitrant legislature. The philosophy behind it was based on Western independence and the desire for a more direct democracy in which the people have some actual say in law-making. S1150 also passed which will require anyone who signs a referendum to be physically present in Idaho, with their presence notarized. In a world where many people's interests - over special interests - often feel unrepresented by government, the referendum is an important policy-making option to preserve. I'm disappointed in how this important power of the people is being watered down.

One major bill targeted at addressing the "balance of power" issue in our state government also passed the Senate. I voted against the constitutional amendment, SJR102, which would allow our legislature to call itself into special session for any reason with a 60% majority. I agree that the legislature should have the ability to call itself into session, but I think that the topic areas should be limited, and that a two-thirds majority should be required. I am concerned about what it would look like if our legislature could call itself into session for any reason with a simple majority, at a cost of $25,000 per day to the taxpayers.

Senator Wintrow's bill to allow doctors to extend contraception prescriptions to 12 months, S1050, failed on the Senate floor. I'm still not sure why. Women in Idaho who need birth control for whatever reason will need to keep getting new prescriptions every three months.

In short, it was a difficult start to the week.

My first bill - S1088 - made it through the Senate's amending order and passed the Senate 26-8! I'm now working on moving it through the House. The bill will ensure any rental fees are transparent and in writing so that renters know what they're getting into. I wanted this bill to have more teeth, but I didn't feel confident that I'd be able to get it through the supermajority with more requirements, as they are reticent to "regulate" any private contracts. I will keep pushing this issue at the state level, however. Renters currently have little to no bargaining power when they sign lease agreements and the property management industry is highly unregulated. Many decent property managers and landlords would like more guidance from our state code.

My first experience passing legislation taught me the thin line we walk as legislators in the superminority, between speaking truth to power and remaining effective. I often feel like I have a lot to say when legislation is passed that doesn't reflect my values or those of my constituents. Sometimes I get frustrated. But it's important for me to stay calm, pick my battles carefully, and maintain relationships with all legislators. Without support from the supermajority, I only have seven votes in a body of 35.

Education had a difficult week.

As promised, this week proved a busy one for education. JFAC was able to come up with a solution that did not completely separate out or cut Boise State University's budget; however, it does cut at least $400,000 from their "social justice" courses and programs. The plan was a compromise between a far-right plan to cut about $18 million from higher education budgets, and a Democratic plan to fully fund.

Many GOP House members also voted to not pass critical early education funding through the CARES Act, out of a concern for a need to keep kids (and women, for some legislators) in the home. The reconsideration vote also failed. Governor Brad Little has vowed to try again. I was incredibly disappointed about the comments made about women during the debate on this in the House, and the House majority's short-sightedness in failing to pass this simple, much-needed resource. Idaho greatly needs better access to affordable childcare, especially now.

A few other bills related to education are being discussed:

• There is still some movement on providing access to full-day Kindergarten, which would save parents with 4-5 year olds at least $250/month and ensure younger children get a more complete education during a critical development phase.

• H221 would allow local school districts to set their own qualifications for teachers, as long as they are over 18, pass a criminal background check, have a bachelor’s degree, and don’t have an infectious disease. The bill is aimed at addressing Idaho’s teacher shortage, which is especially prevalent in rural districts. I believe the solution to the shortage isn’t lowering our standards; it's increasing teacher pay to be competitive with surrounding states.

• H248 would require districts to put teachers on the state insurance plan, but would require the state to get rid of the career ladder rung - forcing teachers to choose between benefits or salary increases.

• H174 would reduce collective bargaining rights for teachers.

• H249 would make sex education an opt-in program. Parents would have only two weeks to decide whether or not to enroll their kids in the program.

I attended a rally for women with other Democratic legislators, which was organized after the early education funding did not pass. I was encouraged to see so many people show up to bring light to the realities of everyday women and busy working moms.

This was a busy week for me in my committees.

In Agriculture Committee, we discussed two bills related to the pollution caused by cow manure, H051 and H167. H057 codifies standards for soil testing, allowing dairies, cattlemen, and farmers to use a cheaper method rather than a more costly and comprehensive method. H167 unfortunately takes things further and changes the way rules setting standards for soil pollutants caused by cow manure are made. Instead of only requiring decisions be based on science and data, the bill adds a requirement that "economic feasibility" also be considered based on reports from interested parties. This is an unprecedented change which could open the door for decreased standards in how cow manure can pollute our soil and water, passing the costs of cleanup onto taxpayers.

Meanwhile, in Resources and Environment Committee we discussed H099 regarding water quality trading, which would allow private companies to receive credits for sifting pollutants out of our water - a good thing. However, I hope we make sure that keeping our water clean in the first place is still a priority.

In Local Government and Taxation Committee, we discussed H073, which would create a new $1.5 million program to require local government put their budgets on the state's website. The fiscal note on this bill says it will save property tax payers money. I believe in transparency, and many local governments publicize budgets already. To actually solve the problem, I believe we need to address the shift in the property tax burden from commercial properties to residents. Thankfully, a bill on this has finally been introduced in the House.

Many other bills, good and bad, continue to be discussed.

In line with the anti-drug theme this year, Senator Grow introduced a new version of his anti-dug amendment. This version would not ban drugs outright, but would instead require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature in order to legalize a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 drug. The high bar for legalization is supposed to combat “pot corruption” created by campaign donations from wealthy cannabis industry lobbyists. The House State Affairs committee voted to introduce the legislation, clearing the way for a full hearing. The bill to legalize hemp, H126, passed the House Agriculture Committee.

The Senate Transportation Committee considered S1132, which would create a method for people to get a Driving Authorization Card regardless of immigration status. The bill was supported by many businesses and members of the community, but the bill was held in committee.