Recess

To no surprise, a COVID-19 outbreak finally caused the Idaho legislature to shut down. We're taking a two-week recess and will reconvene on April 6. Several House members and staffers caught the virus, and my thoughts are with them. I am glad that this move was made, rather than continuing to convene in an environment where most Republican legislators are not wearing masks. Since the beginning of session, Democrats have been pushing for mask-wearing and virtual options, but those requests were not followed. This was bound to happen. Ironically, just days before the House debated H0399, which would have prohibited any mask mandates.

When we re-convene, the American Rescue Plan funding coming to Idaho will be a hot topic. In the meantime, a legislative delegation is convening with the Governor to talk budgets. Keep in mind, last year the Governor responded to the COVID-19 emergency in part by distributing CARES Act funds in collaboration with a legislative committee, the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee. Some Republican legislators were displeased with the process and decisions that were made - a sentiment I am still confused about - and they've spent most of our session so far passing legislation to "re-balance" powers between the Governor and the Legislature. I hope politics can be set aside and that this round of funding goes towards investing in critical education and infrastructure needs, and to providing much-needed relief to Idaho's working families.

I'll be taking the next two weeks to look at this new round of federal funding, work on a draft proposal to put money to the Housing Trust Fund, catch up on my work at Jesse Tree, plant my garden, enjoy the first days of spring, and reconnect with some family and friends. You'll hear from me again in a just a few weeks.

So far, my time in the Senate has taught me that I still have a lot to learn and our Legislature has a long way to go, but I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve built so far, and the incredible opportunity to speak up for Idahoans and our land.

We're still hoping for some real solutions for residential property tax relief.

Property taxes are a big ticket issue all around the state, and increasing the homeowner's exemption and re-implementing indexing are supported on both sides of the aisle. Democrat and Republican bills to raise the cap and re-index the homeowners exemption were denied hearings. This is unfortunate, as such a move would balance the shift from commercial to residential that's happened over the last several years.

On Thursday, the Senate voted down S1108aa,aa by one vote, a bill that would have cut local government budgets with a claimed goal of reducing property taxes. I debated against the bill. It would have limited the amount of income localities could have brought in from new growth and potentially restricted annexation and new construction of homes, exacerbating our housing crisis. At the same time, it would have done very little to decrease property taxes - local estimates were that it would have resulted in $13 of annual relief for Ada County residents. The bill was strongly opposed by Idaho’s cities and counties and first responders from around the state concerned about meeting the needs of growth for fire, police, and basic infrastructure. Eleven Republicans joined with Senate Democrats to kill the legislation 17-18.

The property tax proposal that would extend the deferral program passed out of my committee. The program allows people to defer their property taxes to when they sell their home or pass on. The state then acquires a lien on the home and gets paid back with interest. The new legislation (H0309) would lower the interest rate, raise the income limit, and fund the program at $5 million. Although this is a nice optional program to have, this is not a permanent solution to Idaho’s property tax problems. We're hoping that the same work can be done on the circuit breaker program, to make it more widely available.

Some imbalanced tax cuts passed the House.

The House passed H0332, massive tax cuts for the wealthy on Thursday, voting along party lines. The legislation provides for about $390 million in ongoing and one-time tax cuts, which give breaks to Idaho’s highest earners. The bill provides little relief for sales or grocery taxes, the kinds of solutions that would benefit Idaho's working families. The cuts are also so severe, they would likely drain the state's surplus, when there are many basic state services badly in need of funding. Just one example is the 41 school districts which had to propose nearly $300 million in bonds and levies to make ends meet just a few weeks ago. Those are costs which get passed on to all Idahoans in the form of property taxes.

Our Legislature still has a few things to learn.

On the Senate floor last week, we approved university budgets, but not without much discussion around the majority's decision to cut Boise State University's $390,000 budget for "social justice" curriculum which teaches courses such as ethics, diversity, and everything from Harry Potter to graphic novels. You can read all about the innocuous courses on their website. Some Republicans insisted the curriculum is taking a "liberal" angle, that they are "indoctrinating students," that they "will be watching," and that they want to "send a message" to institutions of higher education. I'm still trying to understand these fears, and worry the effort to censor curriculum will have a chilling effect on free speech. On the same day we were having this discussion, Boise State cut a diversity course after some student complaints. If you can believe it, on the other side of the rotunda a bill was proposed which would prevent students from learning about the concepts of racism and sexism.

I am a product of public and higher education. I grew up in a small rural community in Idaho, and I went on to The College of Idaho - twenty minutes down the road from my childhood home - with big dreams. When I arrived, I was surprised by what I experienced. I was suddenly surrounded by people who thought differently than me. My professors and fellow students challenged me. It was uncomfortable. I spent many late nights debating my classmates and professors about everything from religion to philosophy to the arts. Over time, some of my opinions changed. Some didn't. But I left college an independent and critical thinker, with the ability to explain my position, ask questions, and find common ground. Again, in law school I was challenged: not to think a certain way, but to think.

Education is powerful stuff. Beyond workforce preparation, a good education teaches people to think. Students learn to question themselves and others, and ultimately remove some of the blinders and implicit biases we all carry due to long-standing cultural norms. With a slew of inaccurate information available and an echo chamber culture, more than ever, we've got to invest in a diverse education, exposing our kids to new ideas and teaching them to think. An education empowers students to use the lifetime skill of asking questions to seek a more complete understanding. Perhaps this isn't what our Legislature wants.

My education at The College of Idaho led me to study abroad in Southeast Asia, which created an incredible opportunity for me to spend two years supporting indigenous communities experiencing land grabs in Cambodia. When minds are opened, possibilities are endless.

Lots of other news is still happening on the education front.

Full-day Kindergarten was set for a print hearing when the legislature shut down, but we hope it will come back. Write your Senators and Representatives with this action tool to tell them you want the state to invest in full-day Kindergarten. Such a move will serve to educate our kids, alleviate child care costs for families, and reduce property taxes state-wide.

The sponsors of H249, the bill that would continue the Strong Students grant program was discussed the private school scholarships - which would have paid parents whose kids are educated outside of public schools - were thankfully removed. Former Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones sent a letter to the committee saying that such scholarship or “voucher” programs are unconstitutional as they counter the state's constitutional responsibility to fully fund public education.

Have you heard of cloud seeding?

Last week in Resources & Environment Committee, I learned about cloud seeding. Cloud seeding was first used in 1946, and releases silver iodide which enhances the formation of ice crystals in clouds in winter storms, causing precipitation. Cloud seeding can be used to increase water supply by increasing snow accumulation, and serves to benefit agriculture, fish and wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge, water quality, ski slopes, and increased generation for hydroelectric facilities. Silver iodide is water soluble and a safe seeding agent, although there is some false information out there that it creates "chem trails." My committee passed a bill which will set up a board to research and regulate cloud seeding.