Officially filed and ready to get back to work!

The candidate filing period opened this week and will remain open for two more. It's official! I'm running again because I'm grounded in and motivated by the realities our state is facing right now. I'm ready to work hard on those issues and give regular, working Idahoans a voice in our legislature. 

I hope to continue to bring my sincere desire to collaborate, strong policy background, and bias for action into the legislature to address our highest-impact issues: housing, education, the economy, and criminal justice. I look forward to working across the aisle to get things done.

I'll need the help and support of my community on the campaign trail. Sign up here to lend a hand, knock doors, host a yard sign or make phone calls from home. I could certainly use your help!

The absentee ballot request period is also open and you can request your absentee ballot here. I’m working to reach voters who have requested their ballots through various means—and all of them cost money.

Campaign launch 2022

I am excited to announce the launch of my 2022 campaign for Idaho State Senator in District 16!

Though a change of address in 2021 required me to resign my seat in District 17, I'm eager to get back to work for the people of Idaho. After years of dedicated service, District 16 Senator Grant Burgoyne has announced his retirement and I'm honored to be seeking his open seat, here in my own neighborhood.

Idaho is at a critical moment. As we continue to experience explosive growth and skyrocketing residential property taxes, we need leaders ready to work on real solutions for regular folks.

As Executive Director of Jesse Tree, I see the challenges Idaho families are facing on a daily basis. I'm a fierce advocate for investments in growing Idaho's affordable housing inventory and believe the legislature has a role to play in addressing our complicated housing problems. We don't need more tax cuts for the wealthy. It's time to tackle the bread and butter issues impacting Idahoans, like education, housing, and access to healthcare.

When you helped elect me as Idaho State Senator for District 17, I learned my voice has an impact. And most importantly, I put that voice to use. In my first term, I gained bipartisan support and nearly passed my very first bill, aimed at creating protections for renters against unreasonable rental fees. I'm ready to finish what I started.

Sine Die

My first legislative session was a wild ride, unusually long and full of conflict. It concluded last week as the longest session in Idaho's history. Instead of addressing the pandemic and the many issues that have been created or worsened by it, my colleagues in the supermajority spent their time attempting to strip power away from the Governor, local government, and the people, defunding education at all levels, and looking for problems that don’t exist. I learned a lot about our state and was able to do some good work, but I wish there was more focus on addressing the real issues.

The housing crisis and its effects were not addressed.

I ran for office to get our state legislature to recognize the seriousness of our housing crisis. My hope was to implement practical policies to keep homelessness from happening to our neighbors. My first piece of legislation would have brought Idaho Code up to the landlord industry’s best practice standards and was first aimed at ensuring fees are reasonable and transparent. Unfortunately, it did not pass the House. Nevertheless, we came close, and I’ll try to bring this bill back next year in even better form.

As the cost of housing skyrockets, the cases we are seeing at my nonprofit, Jesse Tree, are becoming more complex, with hundreds of tenants each month being priced out with nowhere to go. At the same time, there are structural barriers to ensuring basic fairness in rental contracts, including the fact that landlords can charge any amount of fees to tenants whey they can’t pay. Changes to our landlord-tenant code, as well as serious investment and reforms that allow our communities to provide critical supportive and legal services and financial aid to tenants as we boost housing supply – will be critical in years to come. I hope our Legislature is up to the task.

Property tax solutions did not come to fruition.

Property taxes are a big-ticket issue 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, re-index the homeowner’s exemption, and expand the circuit breaker to more low-income families were denied hearings. Such moves would balance the shift from commercial to residential that's happened over the last several years.

Instead, the major solution proposed limited the growth of local government budgets, forcing cities to cut vital services like police and fire and limit new growth. Some cities have already said that they will need to pause growth of our housing stock in response to the bill. This is especially problematic as home values continue to rise in Idaho.

While most Idahoans will not see property tax relief in 2021, the income tax relief bill that passed provides significant relief to the top 1% of Idahoans making more than $450,000 per year, while low- and moderate-income Idahoans were provided minimal relief.

The ability of citizens to run ballot initiatives was limited.

The bill that will make it much more difficult to get a citizen-led initiative on the ballot passed. Our Constitution reserves the right of the people to propose laws, which was first added to our Constitution in 1912 during a time when the people decided they needed to find a way to overcome a recalcitrant legislature. Unfortunately, doing that became significantly more difficult. Citizens will now need 6% of the registered voters from all 35 counties, rather than the current 18, giving one district veto power over policy. Our initiative process is already one of the strictest in the country, and this change will further limit the power of Idaho’s people. Reclaim Idaho has already filed a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of this bill.

A major focus of the majority throughout session was taking away the emergency powers of the Governor.

Several pieces of legislation were passed in an effort to limit the Governor's powers and ability to act swiftly during an emergency. A loud minority of Idahoans are upset about a number of sometimes arbitrary, yet unenforced rules around social distancing and masks that were put forward last year, and pressured Republican legislators to put the Governor in check. I voted against all of these bills, as I believe the Governor – not 105 legislators – should have the ability to act during an emergency. After months of back-and-forth, the majority and Governor finally came to an agreement and passed some legislation, but not without much time wasted. An ongoing emergency is not a time to try to change how we respond to future emergencies; we have other major problems to tackle. The length of this session alone demonstrated that the Legislature is not the proper body to act during crisis.

Education struggled to get funded due to misinformation.

A far-right special interest group spread misinformation and fear about critical race theory being taught in schools, causing the House to struggle to pass three critical education budgets. The House defeated the budget for K-12 teacher salaries, a pre-K early learning grant, and the higher education budget. The K-12 and higher education budget - with a hefty cut - eventually passed. Democrats made a last-ditch effort to get early learning funded, which would have continued and expanded a program that coordinates early learning collaboratives around the state, to no avail. The majority's opposition to these critical budgets centered around concerns about social justice being taught in public schools, even though there is little evidence that support legislators' claims that teachers are using an “ultra-liberal curriculum” to “indoctrinate” kids.

This session was difficult, but I was honored for the opportunity to serve Idahoans. I still have some hope.

Instead of addressing the pandemic and efficiently appropriating state and federal funds, we spent many of our days pandering and playing politics. I am disappointed on the focus on topics that detracted from our need to address our health and economic crisis, and that Idahoans have reasonable property taxes, affordable housing opportunities, good-paying jobs, and access to public land.

Despite everything, I enjoyed my time in the Legislature and did my best to work on the issues that matter most. I built a strong foundation in the Senate, and I feel hopeful that I'll be able to do more work on real solutions. Over the coming year, I will be advocating for responsible investments with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, including investment in the Housing Trust Fund and real solutions for property tax relief.

Thank you again for electing me, and for all of your calls, emails, and encouraging words this session. I will continue to send my newsletter on a less frequent basis leading up to next year's session. Feel free reach out to me with any thoughts, questions, or concerns in the meantime, and I hope to see you in the neighborhood soon.

GOP Tax Plan is Wrong for Idaho

By: Rep. Lauren Necochea and Sen. Ali Rabe

Our state’s revenue system makes schools, roads, and other building blocks of the economy possible. Idahoans deserve a fair and responsible tax code to accomplish these investments and build widespread prosperity. Unfortunately, the House GOP tax plan makes sweeping changes that are neither fair to working Idahoans nor responsible.  

This bill — which was unfortunately signed into law by Gov. Brad Little — makes Idaho ineligible for a portion of our much-needed infrastructure dollars, threatens our ability to balance our budget, and overwhelmingly directs resources to the people (as well as profitable corporations and out-of-state shareholders) who need them the least. Despite eating up hundreds of millions of dollars, the legislation does nothing to address the tax solution that Idahoans actually want: lower property taxes. 

We should be enacting policies that build our middle class and strengthen our economy, not more giveaways for the wealthy and well-connected. The lopsided benefits of the GOP plan are clear. Idahoans in the top 1% will receive nearly $9,000 each year, on average. Middle-class families will see their taxes go down by just $246, on average. Households with very modest incomes can expect around $80 in tax savings. 

Democrats in both the House and Senate tried to introduce numerous pieces of legislation to support working families while balancing tax policy with much-needed investments in education. We have been pushing for increasing the grocery tax credit that everyone receives for an equitable benefit, increasing the child tax credit, as well as ways to reduce residential property taxes, like leveraging state funds, expanding assistance, and increasing the homeowner’s exemption. The majority party denied us hearings. 

Critical needs like education and infrastructure will continue to be underfunded by the state and passed on to residents in other ways because of this legislation. In the last five years alone, school districts across the state had to float nearly $2.1 billion in local bonds and levies. A proposal for optional, full-day kindergarten could have helped to alleviate some of that burden, but it also was denied a full hearing.

While the GOP tax plan is bad policy at any time, its timing is also horrible. We have just received $1.25 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act that will allow our state to assist businesses impacted by COVID and also make critical long-term investments in broadband, clean drinking water, and wastewater management. We have already heard how dire these needs are in much of our state. But these dollars come with an expectation: that we won’t slash our own revenues while holding our hand out to accept federal dollars.

For every dollar in revenue cuts that Idaho enacts, one dollar from our allotment of American Rescue Plan funds could be clawed back. That means revenue cuts today can actually cost the state twice as much. We are still waiting for guidance from the U.S. Treasury to understand how specific cases will be handled. The impact of HB 380 alone could mean a loss of $383 million, or one-third of our relief funds. It would have been much more prudent to wait to enact these drastic cuts until we knew the true cost, but it was signed into law anyway.

We have to stop creating tax policy that leaves everyday Idahoans behind and jeopardizes our state. Our citizens, many of whom are experiencing extreme financial distress, deserved better than this mediocre attempt.

100 Days and Counting

After the Legislature had to recess due to a COVID outbreak, we've been back for two weeks and not much has changed. The Legislature continues to prioritize inserting itself into the Governor's decision-making during an emergency. The House and Senate are still in gridlock over the K-12, early learning, and higher education budget bills, all being held hostage due to misinformation spread by the far-right. We still haven't seen a bill that would provide property tax relief. Bills on wolves, guns, and abortion took up much of our time in the Senate.

As this session continues on, many legislators continue to pander to a far-right minority and a special interest group's scorecard, rather than focusing on addressing the real issues that matter to the majority of working Idahoans. Because many moderates don't vote in primary elections, however, even some middle-ground Republican legislators cater to the extremes out of fear they will lose their seat. Leadership is doing the right thing no matter what, but that is not always how decisions are made in our Capitol.

Even though it's the end of the session and you're likely as tired of the Legislature as I am, I want to remind you about the importance of writing and calling legislators. I'm getting lots of emails and phone calls, mostly from a loud minority of people who do not want education to be funded, don't believe COVID is a serious issue, etc. Legislators read their emails and listen to their voicemails regularly, and they are influenced by what they hear and read.

You can review bills being considered on the Legislature's website under the Senate and House reading calendars and committee agendas, as well as emails and phone numbers of Idaho's Senators and Representatives. You should email and call all legislators, not just those in your district - remember that they are supposed to be serving all Idahoans! Put all emails in the bcc line, and in the subject line, write clearly what you are asking them to do (e.g., "Vote no on H0380"). In the body of your email, tell them who you are and your story, as well as why you believe the issue or bill is important. In the signature line, make sure to write your full name, the city you live in, and your district.

I hope to hear from more moderate, everyday Idahoans - I know you're out there! Your activism will help ensure a vocal minority doesn't dictate our policies.

Limiting the Governor's powers to respond to an emergency continues to be the top priority for the majority.

As we pass the 100th day of the legislative session, it's clear that the Legislature is not the appropriate body to efficiently respond to Idaho's needs, especially not during an emergency. The Senate upheld the Governor's veto of S1136 by just one vote - a bill that would have restricted the Governor's powers to act during an emergency. I voted to uphold his veto because I believe the office of the Governor - rather than 105 legislators - should have leeway to act during an emergency. H0135 would also limit the Governor's powers during an emergency, and it has been vetoed as well. The House overrode the veto and it's now headed to the Senate.

Misinformation about "critical race theory" is preventing the passage of education budgets.

A far-right special interest group spread misinformation and fear about critical race theory being taught in schools, causing the House to fail to pass three critical education budgets. Thousands of Idahoans and hundreds of businesses have asked us to pass this funding, which is much-needed for Idaho's education system and economy.

Amazingly, the House defeated the $1.1 billion budget for K-12 teacher salaries. Debate once again centered around concerns about social justice being taught in public schools, even though there is little evidence that support legislators' claims that teachers are using an “ultra-liberal curriculum” to “indoctrinate” kids.

The House killed a compromise higher education budget after much debate about social justice curricula. The compromise budget cut approximately $400,000 from Boise State. It's expected that the next budget will cut even more money from our universities. Idaho’s public higher education institutions will not be raising in-state undergrad tuition for the school year, making these cuts even more problematic.

The early learning grant (S1193) barely passed the Senate by one vote, and it's headed to the House next. The grant would provide six million dollars in critical early learning funding, but has struggled to survive due to concerns pre-K educators are advancing a social justice agenda in Idaho. This funding is much needed for parents (who are spending $300/month on childcare), kids (who fall far behind in literacy without pre-K education), and businesses (who lose almost $500 million per year in revenue due to childcare related challenges) in Idaho.

After hours of debate, the House passed H0377, a bill focused on "non-discrimination in public schools," on a party line vote. The bill disallows school spending that forces students to adhere to the tenets of critical race theory. This bill would not protect us from racism or sexism; instead, it will prevent our teachers from sharing accurate information about our country and world. The bill is being heard in tomorrow's Senate Education Committee at 1:30pm and you can sign up to testify here.

The House passed a new lopsided income tax bill.

H0332 would have provided little to no relief for low and moderate income Idahoans, with the largest cuts going to the top bracket. This bill was placed in the amending order in the Senate, and the Democratic caucus had proposed amendments on the bill to:

• Put surplus moneys to the Wayfair Fund instead of ongoing income tax relief, to be used for property tax relief;

• Increase the grocery tax credit for everyone from $100 to $190 per person, at a lower cost of H0332;

• Increase the grocery tax credit from $100 to $220 one-time, to use surplus funding and provide everyone with equal relief; and

• Increase the homeowner's exemption from $100K to $150K, and re-implement the indexing of property tax increases to home values.

Unfortunately, those amendments will not be heard. Instead of allowing the amendments to be voted on, the supermajority passed a new bill, H0380, out of the House. This way, the bill can avoid the amending order entirely. H0380 is even less fair than H0332, eliminating the top and bottom tax brackets so that extremely low income families will pay more, and extremely wealthy families will pay less in taxes. It will cost our state hundreds of millions of dollars per year on an ongoing basis, at a time when critical needs like education and infrastructure are underfunded by the state and passed on to residents in other ways, like through property tax.

We're still waiting for a bill on property tax relief.

We're waiting to see a rumored bill on property tax relief, which is a big priority for most Idahoans, who continue to pay more in property taxes each year as home values skyrocket. Democrats proposed bills that would have provided residential property tax relief by increasing the homeowner's exemption and re-implementing indexing, as well as a bill that would have expanded the circuit breaker to more low-income Idahoans. Those bills were not given a hearing. It sounds as though another Republican-led property tax bill has also been stalled.

Bills on wolves, guns, and abortions were all heard last week. I voted against all three.

The Senate passed legislation that could lead to the near elimination of wolves in Idaho, allowing hunters, private contractors, and out-of-state agencies to kill up to 90% of Idaho's wolf population. The bill stems from complaints from Idaho's agriculture industry, which has suffered losses due to wolves killing some sheep and cows. The bill puts no limits on the means that can be used to hunt wolves, allows hunters to kill as many wolves as they can find, and allows for wolf hunting year-round on private land. I voted against this bill in committee and on the floor. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were not consulted in the drafting of the bill, and it could open Idaho up to litigation or federal wolf management if they do not agree with this approach.

The Senate passed a bill on guns, out of fears the Biden administration will pass executive orders that limit access to firearms. The bill adds to 2014 legislation that disallowed Idaho government from enforcing federal actions that infringe on Idahoans’ Second Amendment rights. The addition disallows Idaho government entities from using any state resources to enforce federal gun control laws. Idaho doesn't have an issue with access to guns - in fact, it's extremely easy to purchase firearms of any kind - and the Biden administration has passed minimal gun reforms so far which states will be required to enforce. This bill is also based on misinformation and fear and filled with legal questions.

The Senate voted on a slightly revised version of the six-week abortion ban, which would prevent women from getting abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, when most women don't even know they're pregnant. This one is now headed to the Governor's office, and will also be challenged in court. HB220 is coming up on the Senate's agenda, which denies public funds to entities or physicians that provide abortions, even though no public funding currently goes towards safe and legal abortions as it is.

The Governor signed the bill that limits ballot initiatives in Idaho.

I am disappointed in Governor Little for signing S1110, which will make it nearly impossible to get a citizen’s initiative on the ballot, as it would up the requirements from needing signatures from 18 of Idaho’s legislative districts to all 35, giving any one district veto power over an initiative.

After Governor Little signed S1110 into law, Reclaim Idaho, the group behind Idaho's Medicaid Expansion ballot initiative in 2018, announced that they will be filing a lawsuit against the state. Reclaim says the law takes away Idahoans' right to a citizen ballot initiative, which is enshrined in Idaho's constitution. In 2019, Governor Little vetoed similar bills on the grounds that they were unconstitutional and might have unintended consequences.

Thousands of Idahoans spoke out in opposition to this bill, but Republicans still passed it overwhelmingly. It's a stark reminder of the disconnect between the Legislature's actions and what Idahoans really want us to work on.

Let's hope the real issues can be addressed by our Legislature soon and that we'll pack up and go home. Feel free reach out to me with any thoughts, questions, or concerns in the meantime.

Back in Session

After two weeks of recess, the Legislature has officially reconvened. In the Senate, we worked our way through most of the third reading calendar. The House, in the meantime, refused to approve two important budgets. Budgeting is a long process and these actions will delay our end to session, especially as we delve into passing American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Limiting the Governor's powers to respond to an emergency continues to be the top priority for the majority. 

While the House refused to pass basic budgets, the Senate passed S135 and S1136, which provide the Legislature more power to act during an emergency. The bills narrow the Governor's ability to declare an emergency to very limited circumstances, removing the ability to declare emergencies during an "epidemic." The bills limit emergency declarations to 60 days unless the Legislature extends them, and allow the Legislature to end an emergency by concurrent resolution.

I voted against both of these bills because I believe the office of the Governor - rather than 105 legislators - should have leeway to act during an emergency. This year's session alone has made it clear that the Legislature is not the appropriate body to efficiently respond to on-the-ground, immediate needs. I worry the haste to pass these short-sighted bills will hinder the Governor's ongoing ability to respond to COVID-19. The bills are also rife with legal issues, including overly broad and vague definitions and conflicts with other parts of statute and our Constitution. They will likely be challenged in court.

My first piece of legislation died on the House floor.

I ran for office to get our state legislature to recognize the seriousness of our housing crisis. My hope was to implement practical policies to keep homelessness from happening to our neighbors and state. My first piece of legislation - 1088 - would have brought Idaho Code up to the landlord industry's best practice standards, and was first aimed at ensuring fees are reasonable and transparent. It was opposed by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, which might have played a role in its defeat. The special interest group's subjective scoring system has much sway over many legislators in the majority. Nonetheless, we came close, and I'll try to bring this bill back next year in even better form.

As the cost of housing skyrockets, the cases we are seeing at my nonprofit, Jesse Tree, are becoming more complex, with hundreds of tenants each month being priced out with nowhere to go. At the same time, there are structural barriers to ensuring basic fairness in rental contracts, including the fact that landlords can charge any amount of fees to tenants when they can't pay. Changes to our landlord-tenant code, as well as serious investments and reforms that allow our communities to provide critical supportive and legal services and financial aid to tenants as we boost housing supply - will be critical in years to come. I hope our Legislature is up to the task. 

The House passed the bill that limits ballot initiatives in Idaho. 

S1110 would make it even more difficult to get a citizen’s initiative on the ballot, as it would up the requirements from needing the required signatures from 18 of Idaho’s legislative districts to all 35, giving any one district veto power over an initiative. I encourage you to call the Governor's office at 208-334-2100 to encourage him to veto this legislation.

One big tax bill passed out of my committee.

H332 got put to the amending order for some technical corrections and is moving on to the Senate. The bill provides little to no relief for low and moderate income Idahoans, with the largest cuts going to the top bracket. It will cost our state hundreds of millions of dollars per year on an ongoing basis, at a time when critical needs like education and infrastructure are severely and routinely underfunded by the state and passed on to residents in other ways, like through property tax. Idahoans will continue to pay $200 million in property tax each year to fund our public education system.

The House failed to pass critical budgets.

As you know, the House didn't pass federal early learning education funding a few weeks ago due to fears that Idahoan educators were pushing social justice curriculum - a conspiracy being pushed by the Idaho Freedom Foundation. That funding is on the Senate's agenda for the upcoming week. Last week, the House overwhelmingly killed the compromise higher education budget bill, also due to unfounded fears about higher education's social justice agenda; you can guess the source of that rumor. The budget will again be reworked in JFAC. The House also failed to pass the Division of Welfare budget allocating COVID relief funds to childcare centers. Sadly, full-day Kindergarten lost its momentum and will be put off until next year. Funding full-day Kindergarten would provide Idahoans with real property tax relief.

Banning abortion was a priority for our legislature right out of the gate last week.

The first thing on our agenda last week was a six-week abortion ban, which would prevent women from getting abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, when most women don't even know they're pregnant. The ban would bar most rape victims from accessing abortion as it requires them to provide a police report. Similar six week abortion bans have been struck down as unconstitutional in several states, including one in North Carolina just two weeks ago. This one will also be challenged in court.

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.

One year

It's hard to believe that it's been one year since the virus first hit Idaho. It's been a year of lives and livelihoods lost, and hardship in many ways. Over 1,000 people have died in Idaho alone due to COVID-related illness and complications. My prayers and thoughts have been with affected families over this past week. Thankfully, hope is on the horizon with so many vaccines getting into arms. I know we're all ready for this time to be over and to find some sense of normalcy again.

I was disappointed in a bill that passed on Friday - S1136 - which will limit the ability of our Governor to declare and respond to emergencies. The minority party received a heavily amended copy of the bill on Wednesday and did not have time to review it or get an Attorney General's opinion, but from our quick reading of the bill it has many potential legal and logistical issues, and undermines the ability of our Governor to respond to emergency situations. My biggest concern is how it will affect his ability to continue to respond to COVID. It removes the word "epidemic" from the list reasons an emergency can be declared, and limits the use of our National Guard. It also has an emergency clause, meaning it will be enacted very soon. I am concerned about how it will limit our Governor's ability to get vaccinations out, and respond to future health emergencies which may be even more serious than COVID-19.

My first bill is on to the House floor!

My first bill - S1088 - made it through the House Judiciary & Rules Committee and will be considered on the House floor very soon. The bill is a small step in the right direction and will ensure any rental fees are transparent and in writing so that renters know what they're getting into.

I started off the week learning all about dams.

In Resources and Environment Committee we had a hearing to discuss SJR103, a memorial opposing any removal or breaching of the dams on the Columbia-Snake River. I debated and voted against the memorial because I believe it was not carefully or thoughtfully crafted or grounded in science, and it sends a message that the legislature does not want to be a part of future conversations about Representative Simpson's proposal to breach 4 of 400 dams on the Columbia.

I understand the serious concerns brought by farmers (who bring in 7.9 billion dollars per year), utility companies, and other stakeholders about this proposal, and they are definitely concerns that we need to consider. But the status quo isn't working for other local economies including the outdoor and recreation tourism industry (which brings in 7.8 billion dollars annually) and the outfitting and guiding industry (1.1 billion dollars). Scientists tell us that the fish population has continued to decrease over the past 50 years when dams were first built, and fishermen are feeling that reality. Our Tribes, who have a spiritual connection to our fish, also want them back. Many Idahoans are telling us that the current system isn't working.

Is there a better path forward? I don't know right now, but I'd like to find out. The legislature should be a part of this conversation and try to find a solution on our terms and be a part of the regional dialogue. If we say a blanket "no," we may be shut out of any negotiations. These dams are federally owned and we are being offered a significant economic package in exchange. Those dams may come down with or without Idaho's legislature standing beside Representative Simpson's proposal.

Since I was a kid, I've fished Idaho's waters. Everyone knows that the population of anadromous fish has greatly dwindled since dams were build in the 1970s. I'm interested in working with all stakeholders to find a solution that saves our fish and preserves all local economies.

The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee continues to be eventful, with few solutions that would provide more relief to residents proposed.

The battle over property taxes continues.

S1108, the bill that would attempt to provide property tax relief by limiting local government budgets, has been held on the Senate’s third reading calendar for several weeks now. It now sounds like the bill will be amended once again. This bill will do little to actually relieve property taxes.

Another bill, H073, will create a state budget website and require all cities and counties to submit their budget information to the state, at a cost of at least $5 million. It also claims to reduce property taxes, even though most cities and counties already post their budgets on their websites. The bill passed the Senate this week and is on its way to the Governor.

A couple of other bills were proposed on the House side, one of which would scale back our circuit breaker program to people who do not need property tax relief but are "taking advantage" of the program, H310. It's disappointing that this vital program is being reduced, rather than expanded to more families. Another bill, H309, expands the tax deferral program to more people at higher income levels, which wouldn't require folks to pay property taxes until they pass away or sell their home. You can read more about both proposals here.

S1106 brought many people from local government, arising out of a local dispute between some members of ACHD and Garden City. ACHD was attempting to exempt their essential facilities from some local land use ordinances to continue a temporary use permit for a salt shed, which would have been costly to move. The salt shed put Garden City out of compliance with their local land use plan, as well as federal flood insurance. The bill was opposed by every city in Ada County and the Ada County Commissioners, plus several other local government organizations. On Tuesday, our committee made the smart move to hold the bill in committee, likely killing it for the session.

Lots is happening on the education front.

There are still many unknowns with legislation on our education system. On a positive note, a much anticipated bill, H331 would provide voluntary, full day kindergarten. The bill will be heard Monday (today) in the House Education Committee at 8:30am. If you would like to testify virtually, you can sign up here.

We are still hoping that the greatly needed six million dollars in education funding will be re-considered. The universities' budgets are also still undecided, but it's looking like Boise State University's "social justice" programs will be cut, despite the importance of these programs in providing students with opportunities to serve the community and understand our country's diverse and complex history.

H294 which would provide parents with $6,000 "scholarships" (read: vouchers) if they choose to educate their kids somewhere other than in public schools. It's yet another attempt to privatize education and create profitable businesses on the backs of our education system. The participating private schools would not be held to any educational or financial standards.

Unfortunately there are several other bills coming forward as well:

• H122 allows virtually anyone to bring guns in schools.

• H293 requires schools to be open or else reimburse parents.

• H249 creates one more barrier to kids receiving sex education by requiring parents to opt-in.

• H248 allows school districts get teachers onto the state insurance plan, but pay for it with teacher salary funding promised under the career ladder.

• H221 allows anyone to teach with or without certification. This bill is unnecessary because under the current system, if rural districts don't have enough teachers, they can declare an emergency and hire someone while they work towards their state certification.

• H329 requires a parent to sign a document if any child joins any school group.

The House State Affairs Committee voted to disallow the Powerball lottery from continuing in the state of Idaho, eliminating about $14 million in taxes and fees that go to Idaho schools. The lottery is expanding to Australia and Britain, and Idaho Lottery officials were looking to change code as currently only lotteries operating in the US and Canada can be played in Idaho. Republicans cited concerns that revenues collected in countries like Australia might be used to support causes they oppose, like supporting anti-gun legal action, that more players would reduce odds (which is false, as the odd remain the same regardless of the number of players), and that the amount of money being spent to advertise the immoral action of gambling was concerning. This is yet another example of baseless fears driving some of our decision-makers.

The bill limiting the ballot initiative process is headed to the House.

Despite overwhelmingly negative testimony (again), the House State Affairs committee sent S1110, the ballot initiative restriction bill, to the full House on a party line vote. The legislation will now go to the House, and if it passes there, will go the Governor.

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.

Pros and cons

I'll start my recap of week seven with some good news: Idaho is getting better at vaccine distribution, and now ranks as one of the best states in the country when it comes to administering the COVID-19 vaccine. 175 million dollars in rental assistance passed, a measure I spoke in support of. Our Medicaid budget passed the House by a thin margin, ensuring thousands of Idahoans will continue to have access to affordable medical care.

On the flip side, some legislators continue to deny the seriousness of the pandemic - such as by proposing a bill to prevent employers from making decisions about whether or not their employees need to be vaccinated (I will vote no.). Rental assistance passed six weeks after it should have, while hundreds of millions of dollars in other needed aid continues to sit and wait for a decision. A Medicaid stabilization fund and tax relief for certified family homes serving disabled folks did not pass. Instead of diverting surplus and rainy day funds into much-needed long-term investments in education and infrastructure, the majority is proposing to use it to provide ongoing tax cuts to special interests. Bills targeted at diminishing the powers of other government agencies and the Governor, as well as those of the people, continue to take crop up. There are now 14 pieces of legislation aimed at limiting the Governor's powers to respond to an emergency. This move and others prompted Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones to analogize the legislature to a power-sucking creature.

Putting differences aside, I worked to amend my first piece of legislation, S1088, the bill aimed at addressing excessive rental fees. In order to get this bill passed I had to negotiate it down quite a bit from what I originally proposed: that fees are capped at ten percent of the monthly contract rent, or that they're reasonable. Many legislators in the majority are reticent to regulate any private party contracts, including lease agreements, even though tenants have no bargaining power when they sign on the dotted line. The bill in its current form no longer limits fee amounts, but still requires any fees to be in writing so that tenants can plan and budget for what they're getting into.

Idaho continues to grow faster than most states and our housing market, as well as other basic services and resources, need to be higher up on the agenda. Last week I continued to do research on solving our housing crisis, and held meetings with County Commissioners and County staff to take some first steps at getting our state to invest in the housing trust fund. We came up with some initial ideas we hope to build into a comprehensive proposal with other legislators.

In the Resources and Environment Committee, I opposed an expensive bill - S1090 - that would have required the Department of Lands to hire private outside counsel in lieu of using the Attorney General's Office. I spotted some contradictory language in the bill, and it was likely unconstitutional. It was also confirmed that the bill did not come out of constituent or agency complaints and was legislator-initiated. The vast expense of allowing agencies to opinion-shop on the private market was a big concern too. Additionally, it would be unfair if an agency could use taxpayer dollars to hire private counsel to assert their position in disputes with citizens. H0101 is still on the table and would do the same thing but for all agencies - a proposal that would cost tens of millions of dollars. I'll be keeping a look-out to see if it makes it to the Senate floor.

We nearly had an uncomfortable conversation this week. S1085 would have prevented a woman from making the deeply personal choice of when, how, and if to have a child as early as six weeks into pregnancy. It runs counter to the laws that were established almost fifty years ago in Roe v. Wade, where the Supreme Court held that states cannot ban abortion before viability for any reason. The Supreme Court has repeatedly reaffirmed this decision and struck down similar six-week bans on abortion in several other states. S1085 has a "trigger" provision and wouldn't take effect until one federal court upholds a six-week ban, but the bill was sent back to the Senate State Affairs Committee and will most likely not be heard this year. At the same time, a bill that would defund any abortion providers in Idaho passed the House. On a more uplifting note, Senator Wintrow will soon propose a bill on the Senate floor which would extend contraception prescriptions to 12 months, S1050.

Special interest tax breaks continue to outweigh tax relief for citizens. The House GOP presented their tax plan - H0199 - which mainly benefits special and wealthy interests. Some early analysis showed that this bill would only provide about thirty dollars of tax relief to average Idahoans, with larger cuts going to businesses and people at the top of the income bracket. We are still also fighting for actual property tax relief for Idahoans. The only major bill related to property tax relief, S1108, that's received a hearing does not provide real relief, and instead cuts local government budgets and undermines their ability to pay for new growth. Unfortunately most other ideas that would provide real property tax relief have still not received a hearing, including a circuit breaker expansion, increase to the homeowner's exemption, and indexing, which would address the ongoing tax shift to residents. One bill, presented by Senator Wintrow, would have expanded the circuit breaker to certified family homes and, unfortunately, got voted down on the House floor.

Voting rights are an ongoing topic. There are now 23 pieces of legislation about voting. S1110 is still waiting to be heard on the Senate floor, the bill that would make it nearly impossible to get a citizen-led initiative on the ballot, giving any small rural district virtual veto power. There are also a series of bills moving through the House that would make it more difficult for Idahoans to vote:

• H0223 passed on the House floor which makes it a felony to deliver any non family member ballots in drop boxes, aimed at addressing Idaho's non-existent ballot-harvesting problem.

• H0219 would not allow students to use a school ID as identification when they vote or register to vote.

• H0244 would prohibit college professors from giving extra credit to students for voting.

I will oppose any legislation which limits the ability of people to legally vote. It's pretty simple to vote in Idaho, and that’s a good thing. Democracy and government are at their strongest when everyone is able to actively participate.

This will be a busy week for education, with the university budget being decided on. I'm grateful that most lawmakers - outside of those who only act under the instruction of the Idaho Freedom Foundation - are committed to preserving the higher education budget. There are also a number of others bills that could affect students and our education system:

• H0221 would diminish the quality of our teachers by allowing any school district to issue teaching certificates to anyone who's at least 18 and has a bachelor's degree.

• H0122 would allow anyone with a concealed weapons permit to carry weapons on school property.

• H0141 would require that any contract between Idaho agencies and public institutions be awarded by a competitive process.

Democrat lawmakers have been advocating for years to more fully fund public education. Idaho still ranks 51st in per pupil spending. Some of my colleagues including Senator Ward-Engelking have tried to move funds from the online sales tax account to the general fund so that it can be used to fund education. A majority of our school districts must run bonds and levies to cover basic costs, which greatly adds to the property tax burden. Many of those levies relate to funding districts' needs for full-day Kindergarten. There may be some movement on making Kindergarten full day state-wide, which would reduce levies and give teachers time to actually educate our kids!

My first bill!

As the snow from last week melts, I am looking forward to warmer weather and a time when we can return closer to normal. It's been a year since the pandemic first hit Idaho, and many people remain unemployed and unable to pursue their passions. All of us have felt the strain in one way or another. But some hope is on the horizon, with Idaho getting more vaccine doses each week, spring coming, and the legislature beginning to approve some aid to make people whole (including $175 million in emergency rental help). We're getting closer.

Last week, I introduced my first piece of legislation, S1088, a bill aimed at ensuring tenants have notice of the fees they're being charged and that the fees are reasonable. Several people came to testify in favor, including landlords, the religious community, and housing advocates. Everyone present recognized that excessive fees are a major problem and do not serve anyone. I was able to give quite a few examples of fees being misused that staff at Jesse Tree have dealt with. The bill is in the amending order for now to make a minor edit. I think I’ll be able to work out a bit of the wording with the majority to make it work for everyone and get it passed!

Property tax breaks for big business continue to be prioritized over tax relief for regular citizens. The House GOP presented a plan - HB199 - to benefit special and wealthy interests. It decreases the sales tax from 6% to 5.3%, eliminates the grocery tax credit, and decreases income taxes for some. It's a complicated revision to our tax code and we're still learning about its potential impacts, but so far it looks as though the proposal will actually cause taxes to go up for most Idahoans earning a modest income. Another bill which completely eliminates the property tax that businesses pay on their equipment was also introduced last week.

Countering the House GOP bill, House Democrats introduced the Idaho Working Families Agenda, a comprehensive plan to deliver tax benefits to working families and boost education investments to help Idaho's kids catch up after a year of challenges. Unlike the House GOP’s tax plan, it will not raise taxes for any Idaho households and keeps the grocery tax credit to help families offset the sales tax they pay on food. It directs tax benefits to working Idaho families and children, not giveaways to the highest earners and large profitable corporations. Learn more about it here.

S1108, the bill that limits local government budgets, passed out of my committee. I spent three hours on Thursday evening in the Local Government and Taxation Committee listening to testimony against S1108, which seeks to limit local government budgets in an effort to stem property taxes. Local governments and fire districts from all over Idaho expressed great concern that this bill does not allow growth to pay for itself, but instead prevents them from paying for basic services such as fire and police. It provides very minimal property tax relief for residents - one estimate was that it could provide around $20 per household member per year. This bill does not address our biggest issue with property tax: that residents are now bearing three-quarters of the property tax burden. As home values continue to rise, this bill will not address the shift or provide the amount of property tax we need. Because the bill cuts local government budgets for new construction, it could disincentivize new construction and exacerbate our existing housing crisis. Property tax relief is important, but this is not the solution. Unfortunately other ideas such as fully funding public education so that schools don't have to run so many bonds and levies, expanding our circuit breaker, raising the homeowner's exemption cap, indexing, and changing the way we assess values aren't even getting a hearing in committee. The bill will move on to the Senate floor next.

The legislature continues to vie for more power. One way is by restricting voting rights. There are now 19 pieces of legislation about voting. S1110, a bill that would make future grassroots initiatives virtually impossible, passed the Senate State Affairs Committee despite much opposition. S1110 raises the requirements for a citizen-led ballot initiative, like Medicaid Expansion, to require signatures from 6% of eligible voters in all 35 legislative districts, rather than the current requirements to include 6% of all eligible Idahoan voters and 6% of 18 of the 35 legislative districts. The process right now is restrictive enough, and only two ballot initiatives have passed in the last 18 years. This law violates the spirit of Idaho's Constitution, which reserves the right of the people to enact and propose laws on the ballot. I encourage you to keep writing Senators about why this bill is a bad idea, and sign this petition calling on Governor Little to take a stand for our initiative rights.

There are at least 13 pieces of legislation aimed at limiting the Governor's powers to respond to an emergency. A constitutional amendment was proposed which will allow the Idaho Legislature to call itself into special session whenever 60% of the members of each house want to. Currently, only the Governor can call special sessions of the legislature. I will not vote for this bill as it only requires a simple majority (rather than 2/3, like most other states), and allows a session to be called for any purpose whatsoever (rather than a limited set of important topics), at a cost of at least $25,000 per day to the taxpayers. I know I've said this before, but I still wish more of our focus was on responding to our current health and economic emergency and getting Idahoans, schools, hospitals, and businesses the help they need.

Voting should be easy.

This week I was privileged to introduce my first bill! The bill adds to our landlord tenant code to provide clarification around fees for residential tenants. It requires fees are reasonable and enumerated in any lease agreement, so that both parties know what they are getting into.

I worked on this bill with other legislators and stakeholders and I'm proud that it now has bipartisan support and that Senator Ricks, Representative Troy, and Representative Nash have all stepped up to co-sponsor it. This is something simple we can do to address our housing crisis right now, and it is the right thing to do.

Addressing fees is going to be more important than ever before as tenants continue to feel the crunch. More than one-third of Ada County residents are living paycheck-to-paycheck as housing costs rise and incomes remain stagnant. Studies have shown that homelessness increases in communities when the percentage of residents who are housing cost-burdened hits a tipping point - our community is there. Less affordable housing leads to more landlord and tenant disputes about rent getting paid on time, more eviction and homelessness, and - more fees.

Excessive fees do not solve any of our problems. Fees allow landlords to offer a stick incentive to getting tenants to pay on time and cover basic administrative costs, which is fine by me. But fees can also be easily exploited by a subset of bad landlords to put pressure on low-income tenants who are already having a hard time. A small change to our code ensures that landlords know how important it is to ensure fees are enumerated in the lease and reasonable, and that tenants can get through a difficult spot, pay their rent, and stay in housing without being held back by desperately trying to get caught up on fees. City Council member Lisa Sanchez and others started this work with an application fee regulation in the City of Boise. These types of issues are state-wide and we should all continue to work together with landlords and property managers to find sensible solutions to keeping our neighbors housed.

This week, I had the opportunity to talk to the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce along with Freshman Republican Senator Peter Riggs. We discussed recent property tax bills, health districts, and Medicaid expansion among other topics including civility and getting young people involved in politics. I encourage you to watch on the Chambers' Facebook pages!

Legislation introduced this week focuses on restricting voters' rights and powers in Idaho. One bill would make permanent the absentee ballot changes first approved in the special session last August which allowed County Clerks to open and scan ballots seven days before the election, but not tally them. The second bill would eliminate ballot harvesting, a non-issue in Idaho, by only allowing someone to drop off two family members' ballots at a time - otherwise it would be a felony. When discussing this bill the proponent said "Voting shouldn't be easy," prompting much outcry. Voting should be easy, and these bills will reduce access to this basic right.

Another bill would make it harder to get Idaho initiatives on the ballot, taking powers away from the voters and consolidating statute-making power in the legislature. Our state already requires 6% of all voters and 6% of voters from 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts to sign initiatives to get a statute change on the ballot. There are many other requirements to ensure petitions are legitimate, and once something is on the ballot everyone has the ability to vote for or against it. This new bill would require 6% of voters in all 35 districts to sign the petition. This is very likely unconstitutional and would give small rural districts veto power to keep key issues from getting on the ballot. The legislature is simultaneously attempting to minimize the power of initiative by enshrining policy issues - such as drug policy - in our Constitution. This piece of legislation is likely a response to the initiative that expanded Medicaid in Idaho, allowing thousands of Idahoans to have access to health care for the first time.

It's no coincidence that "power" continues to be a theme this session. Alongside the many pieces of legislation targeted at limiting the Governor's powers, the House has introduced legislation that would eliminate crowd size restrictions in response to restrictions placed on the size of high school sports championships. These restrictions are currently mandated by the venues themselves. Generally, players and coaches of the teams playing in these championships don’t mind the restrictions, as long as they can play. Again, this is an example of the legislature attempting to make rules that limit the ability of local entities and private actors to make their own decisions.

Local control, or control of localities? In the same vein, Idaho’s Attorney General has found that the House bill that would require legislative action to change the name of something with a historical name is unenforceable. The approval would be done through concurrent resolution, which is difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Additionally, the Idaho Constitution says that making laws that affect specific localities are unconstitutional, and since each concurrent resolution can apply to one place at a time, each state decision would be subject to court challenge. I understand that some decisions made in other cities about monument name changes have crossed the line for some people, but that doesn't change the fact that these decisions should be local.

We are still waiting for legislation that provides property tax relief to residential homeowners. Before I ran for office - I'll be honest - I didn't know much about property taxes. While campaigning I learned that this is one of the most important issues facing residents of my district. I have been studying and learning from some of the veterans on this issue (especially Senator Burgoyne and Representative Necochea!) to find ways to provide property tax relief for our citizens. A few easy fixes would be to expand our circuit breaker - a tax waiver targeted at serving people on a fixed income - to more families under a certain income threshold, increase the homeowners' exemption, index our home values in line with tax increases, and eliminate a number of exemptions which apply to a few commercial properties and lessees of public land. I am still attempting to get a hearing for a bill which would expand our circuit breaker, but I'm afraid that our legislature may instead be focused on attempting to cap and reduce local government budgets. Are you sensing the theme here? Stay tuned.

The conversation on marijuana continues. SJR101, the constitutional amendment which makes all psychoactive drugs permanently illegal, is waiting to be considered by a House committee. At the same time, the House will soon introduce the bipartisan bill to legalize medical marijuana, while other new legislation would make it legal to grow hemp in Idaho. Hemp is legal in all 49 other states and federally, but attempts to legalize in Idaho have failed for several years due to concerns about it being a gateway to growing marijuana. Legalization would open up a new market to Idaho farmers - one that is in increasingly high demand. At the same time, the citizen-led initiative aimed at getting the Idaho Medical Marijuana Act in front of voters in 2022 has qualified to collect signatures.

Idahoans are still waiting for relief.

This coming week is the last week to introduce pieces of legislation, and I worked to finalize a few bills I'm working on that will alleviate property taxes, protect renters, and ensure access to public lands. Let's just say I started to learn the concept of "racing bills" last week! On the Senate Floor, conflict over the emergency order and the anti-drug constitutional amendment continued to take precedence. One bright spot was unanimous passage of the Wrongful Conviction Act, which will require Idaho to compensate the wrongfully accused.

While emergency powers continue to be a priority for our supermajority, the legislature is sitting on $900 million in funding that could help Idahoans with food, rent, and daycare, while vaccine distribution continues to experience delays. It's proving to be true in practice that the legislature is not the best governmental body to adequately respond to an emergency. SCR101, which would have ended the state of emergency, was pulled from the Senate floor after the Governor moved Idaho back to Stage 3 restrictions, which made SCR101 to have no effect. The legislature rightly coined this back-and-forth a "chess match" - a game in which Idahoans are surely losing. Amazingly, there are still several other pieces of legislation aimed at limiting the Governor's emergency powers: H0016, HCR001, HCR002, S1003, H0001, S1031, and S1001. Just one bipartisan piece of legislation was introduced which aims to speed up Idaho's vaccinations, which would subject Idaho businesses to a $5,000 fine if they fail to report that they have extra COVID vaccine doses, and gives businesses two weeks to distribute their share of doses.

I hope Idahoans' biggest concerns are better addressed in the Governor's budget.  Idaho's General Fund projections are $58.5 million more than anticipated, leaving our state with $662.5 million in the bank. Some of this came from 5% holdbacks from state agencies ($96 million), and cuts to K-12 education ($98 million), with other big boosts coming from federal funding and the online sales tax fund. So far, much of this surplus is set to be spent on one-time tax cuts rather than much-needed investment in education and health care which would have lasting benefit and positive fiscal impacts on our state in the long-term. The Governor has dropped the part of his budget that would have cut the state’s Medicaid budget due to increased federal funding for the rest of 2021. Medicaid has been very important during the pandemic as people have lost jobs and need health insurance, and expanding Medicaid has already saved Ada County's courts over 1.5 million dollars.

Rental assistance has also been delayed, and is still being considered. $175 million in a federal grant for rental assistance is still being considered by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. I am disappointed in this delay, as emergency rental assistance is needed now more than ever. Even before the pandemic, our rental market was a challenge for many renting families with rapidly rising prices and stagnant wages, and the pandemic has only worsened those conditions. A recent report released by the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy found that $118.5 million to $148.5 million in rental assistance will be needed to ensure every Idaho family most severely impacted by the economic crisis can be stably housed through Fiscal Year 2021. The report also estimates that eviction-related homelessness occurring as a result of lack of access to rental assistance in Idaho could cost Idaho taxpayers between $172 million and $412 million. 

Real property tax solutions are needed. I drafted an op-ed explaining why cutting local government budgets is not the solution to reducing property taxes for residential homeowners, and I've been working with a few other Senators on a bill which would expand the circuit breaker, adjusting it for inflation, so that more low-income Idahoans could receive some property tax relief. You can read more about the benefits of the circuit breaker here - it's used by around 27,000 Idahoans every year. I hope we can get this bill heard in committee. SB1021, the bill that would cap city and county budgets at 4% was delayed last week and will be discussed in my committee this week. Again, I believe this bill continues to distract us from the root of the problems with our property taxes: rising home values and a shift in burden from commercial to residential properties.

I am seeking bipartisan support on a bill that would limit late fees for renters. A story about one of the tenants my nonprofit, Jesse Tree, has worked with demonstrates the need for this legislation. Jennifer is a single mother who got her hours cut at work and was going through a rough divorce. In the fall, she fell behind in her rent, and Jesse Tree was able to help her with rental assistance and case management. This isn't quite a success story, however, as she will still be left with just over $800 in late fees. Our case manager talked to the landlord about waiving some of the fees and she refused, saying that Jennifer left her no choice and that she needs to keep adding fees to prove a point. This story demonstrates how late fees are sometimes used in an exploitive way to unnecessarily punish tenants when they are struggling. Many good landlords do not use these fees unfairly, but we need to protect renters from outlying bad actors with this reasonable regulation.

SJR101, the bill that would prevent Idaho from ever legalizing medical cannabis, passed on the Senate floor 24-11. I voted against this proposal, because I believe Idahoans should have the ability to propose legalization of medical cannabis by referendum. By enshrining an anti-drug law in the Constitution, voters will never have that choice. The amendment also references statutes which could change in this session, and in future sessions, which takes away from the thorough way we can amend our Constitution by a two-thirds majority and voter approval. The House will soon introduce the bipartisan bill to legalize medical marijuana, which would open up a new line to treatment to those with chronic pain, seizures, and much more, who might otherwise have to rely on addictive opioid pain medications.

Let’s focus on the real issues.

Last week continued to move at a rapid pace, with many bills introduced. I'm learning how important digging deep into the code and history of each bill is, as well as what's behind the arguments for and against it it. It's extra work since I'm new in the room, but I'm working to be armed and prepared for each committee meeting, with a deep understanding of bills' implications and research and data backing up my questions.

I voted "no" for the first time on the Senate floor, against putting an additional $4 million into the Legislature's Legal Defense Fund. As legislators, we should be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and thoughtful lawmakers. We should have an incentive to pass laws and make decisions that will not draw constant legal battles. In recent history, this fund has been treated as a slush fund and used in legal disputes over a woman's right to choose, gay marriage, and the ability of same-sex couples to have parental rights - a failure to focus on the real issues.

I continue to be disappointed on the focus on topics that are detracting from our need to address our current health and economic crisis, and that Idahoans have reasonable property taxes, affordable housing opportunities, good-paying jobs, and access to public land. Despite everything, I'm trying to work on on the issues that matter most.

Our legislature is learning that you can't legislate your way out of an emergency. There are still several pieces of legislation that are targeted at limiting the Governor's powers and ability to act swiftly during an emergency. A loud minority of Idahoans are upset about a number of sometimes arbitrary, yet unenforced rules around social distancing and masks, and are pressuring our Republican legislators to put the Governor in check. (A recent study showed that 59% of Idahoans support a mask mandate.) An ongoing emergency is not a time to try to change how we respond to future emergencies; we have other major problems to tackle.

For example, our state is having a serious problem distributing vaccines. St. Alphonsus is having to cancel appointments due to vaccine shortages, while several thousand vaccines that were shipped to Idaho went unused. Idaho ranks 40th in the country for vaccine distribution. I do wonder if our legislature's focus on changing emergency laws is detracting our attention from solving urgent problems that are happening right now.

SCR101, which would end the state of emergency, will likely come back to the Senate floor for a vote this week. This bill will likely make our state lose tens of millions of dollars in FEMA funding that's needed to distribute vaccines. An Attorney General opinion was also released that showed the legislature cannot use a concurrent resolution to impact statute, so this approach is likely unconstitutional and will be challenged in court.

An important issue I'm trying to focus on is Idaho's housing crisis, an issue we need to tackle before it's too late. My desire to work on our local housing crisis is a big reason I ran for office. This session I'm already working on rent relief, protecting housing consumers, and providing property tax relief.

Rental Assistance
Idaho has received almost $200 million in a federal grant for rental assistance. This grant is similar to the $15 million that was distributed earlier this year from CARES Act funding. The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, which sets Idaho’s budget, currently is looking at a bill that will allow $110 million of these funds to be spent this year to help Idahoans across the state. The money will go to help lower-income renters who have been affected by the pandemic. This bill should pass, and that money should quickly go to helping vulnerable people who need it!

Late Fees
Rental assistance is just the tip of the iceberg in solving our state's housing crisis. As more tenants are struggling to pay their rent on time, case managers at my nonprofit, Jesse Tree, continue to see late fees cropping up as a major problem. From their perspective, property managers often use late fees not to protect themselves but to penalize tenants who are already struggling. Tackling the issue of late fees is something I am most committed to working on this session, and we will keep you updated on our progress to find more balance on this important issue.

Property Taxes
SB1021, the bill that would have a detrimental impact on local county and city governments by capping their budgets at 4%, and will be discussed in my committee this week. Focusing on local governments’ budgets will reduce their ability to address growth, and ignores the root cause of property tax growth: an outdated homeowner’s exemption, a tax shift from commercial to residential properties and underfunded schools struggling to cope with growth.

I am hopeful actual solutions will gain traction this year. Other upcoming legislation includes efforts to re-index the homeowner’s exemption to housing values so that rising property values do not unfairly shift the tax load onto homeowners. There will also be a bill to catch up the circuit breaker program with rising property taxes, so more homeowners on fixed incomes such as seniors, veterans and people with disabilities can qualify for property tax forgiveness. We must allow growth to pay for itself by utilizing impact fees as well.

Another distracting proposal: a bill that would prevent Idaho from ever legalizing medical cannabis. The bill modifying Idaho's Constitution to operate as a permanent ban on any "psychoactive drug," SJR101, was approved by the Senate State Affairs Committee, and will likely go to a vote in the Senate this week. In Idaho, psychoactive drugs are already illegal, but this would modify Idaho's Constitution in order to prevent future legislators or voters from changing the law. Federal legalization of marijuana is likely, and if that happens, it would be permitted everywhere in America but Idaho.

There continue to be new medical developments with THC and CBD. Thirty-six states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have approved comprehensive, publicly available medical marijuana programs. In the House, a bipartisan bill to legalize medical cannabis will be introduced in the next couple of weeks. The legislation was written by Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber, who is terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer. His story can be heard here.

Despite everything, I'm trying to stay focused on the issues that matter most. It’s time to set aside distracting devices, and instead, focus on actually helping our citizens, not creating additional problems. We need to enact responsible solutions, which voters overwhelmingly support.

A call to action during an emergency

It has been a quick start to session, with more bills introduced during the first two weeks than ever before. As I dig in, I keep learning that there is much I don't know. I know this job is a marathon, not a sprint, but the first two weeks of this session have been nothing but fast-moving.

Thankfully, the Capitol was empty on inauguration day, but I found myself in moments of overwhelm. With at least one case of COVID-19 in the statehouse, some safety concerns, and the rapid pace of this session, there is quite a lot to take in as I embark on this new venture.

There were mostly high points though. I feel lucky to be surrounded by so many hard-working, savvy people and am finding mentors. I feel honored that I get to work on legislation that could benefit everyday Idahoans. And I feel excited when I get to talk about issues and ideas that matter with my colleagues. I also felt encouraged by the Governor's strong statement against the legislature's political move to prioritize ending the state of emergency when the pandemic is most definitely not over.

This week, I am providing you some updates as well as a call to action. Throughout the session I'll provide you with information on bills coming to a vote in committee or on the floor, and my perspective on the legislation. You can review any bills of particular interest on the Legislature's website. There are a few bad bills coming up this week, and I encourage you to contact Idaho's Senators and Representatives by calling and emailing them. And, if you can, attend and testify at committees. Virtual testimony is available and I'm putting the links below.

SCR101. This would strike the Governor's emergency order. An emergency declaration by the Governor is needed in order to receive funding from FEMA, including operational and personnel costs to roll out the vaccines and COVID-related costs to the state's businesses. Legislators have claimed that ending the emergency will not make Idaho ineligible for federal funding, but that is just not true. We cannot allow this bill to pass and potentially jeopardize our access to federal assistance to overcome this crisis. The Governor summarized the problems with this bill well in a press conference on Friday: "Some members of the Idaho Legislature are seeking political gain by perpetuating misinformation about emergency declarations. They are playing politics, and unfortunately the loser in this shameful game will be you - the citizens of Idaho." I agree with him, and I encourage you to watch his speech to learn more.

SB1021. This bill would have a detrimental impact on local county and city governments by capping their budgets at 4%, which would essentially bankrupt them. On its face, the purpose of this bill is to provide property tax relief, but it would not solve the problem as residential properties would continue to increase at a pace that outpaces commercial properties due to rising home values and diminishing value of the capped, non-indexed homeowner's exemption. In short, it would likely cripple local governments while also not solving the problem of rising residential property taxes. There will be quite a few other property tax bills coming forward later in the session that will provide property tax relief, while keeping cities' and counties' abilities to provide us with essential services intact.

SJR101. This modifies Idaho's Constitution to operate as a permanent ban on any "psychoactive drug," including medical cannabis, CBD oil, and hemp. It permits legalization in Idaho only if the drug is approved by the FDA or is part of a documented clinical investigation under the FDA, but for various reasons it is highly unlikely that medical cannabis or CBD will ever meet that threshold. If either medical cannabis or CBD were decriminalized at the federal level, under this Constitutional amendment it is likely that treatment would be permitted everyone in America but Idaho.

As a legislator in the super-minority, much of my job is playing defense. Good defense takes a team, so please consider taking action and sharing this information with friends and family across Idaho, not just those in Boise.

As always, please reach out with any thoughts, questions, or concerns. In the face of numerous challenges this session, I will still be doing my best to stay focused on the issues that matter most. I encourage you to get involved and encourage our other legislators to do the same.

It's quite the time to be a state legislator!

What a time to be a first-time legislator!

On the morning of my first day on the job last week, we had a meeting with the Idaho State Police about safety in the Capitol. Just five days beforehand, insurrectionists had violently stormed our nation's Capitol and attempted to undermine our democracy. This week, the violence may continue. At the same time, a majority of legislators remain unmasked throughout the building as we continue this session during a pandemic. Some precautions have been taken, but I fear not nearly enough to curb a potential outbreak, while reasonable accommodations for my high risk colleagues were not made.

Despite some of the discomfort and fear I'm feeling, it's not all doom and gloom. I drafted my first piece of legislation this week and am working on drumming up support. I'm enjoying getting to know my very kind, helpful colleagues and digging in to the Governor's budget, property tax, and upcoming issues on my committees (Local Government & Taxation, Resources and Environment, and Agriculture).

And I have learned that despite everything, Idaho still has some good people in our statehouse. Our opinions differ on many fronts and I don't always agree with issues taken up, but the Senators I'm getting to know - both Democrats and Republicans - are good people who care about our state. I feel hopeful that we will be able to make some positive change for Idaho's people by working together, as a team. The importance of our ability to maintain civil discourse and strong friendships despite our differences is more important than ever before. I hope that some of the relationships I build can be a good example for our community, which we all know has felt very divided during these strange times.

Maintaining civility in our statehouse is more challenging than ever before, as the pandemic on top of media and social media echo chambers has only continued to spread misinformation, while our sense of connection to our communities is dissolving. We know that far-right groups (and some extremists from the other side, as well) have been driven to further extremes over these past years. But as MLK said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." No matter what happens, I am determined to not point fingers or name-call, as is so common these days. I will continue to make friends across the aisle to listen and understand. I will also stand by my values and express my opinions in a thoughtful way backed by data, research, and science. I will strive to be a calm, prepared, and earnest voice in the room as I speak truth to power.

Above all, I will be praying that we all can stay safe and healthy through this session.

Remote participation is available this session.

I encourage you to get involved this session, which will be possible as all Senate committees will be taking both in-person and remote testimony. There will be several bills coming forward which impact Boise residents' lives. To find out when a bill is coming before a committee, check the committee's agenda. Committee agendas come out on short notice, so if you have a bill you are particularly interested in, contact the committee secretary and ask if they know when the bill will be heard. Contact information and links to follow to find agendas for Senate committees are on the legislature's website.  The same information is also available for House committees.

If you decide to come to the Statehouse in person this session, be aware that masks are requested, but not required.  Hand sanitizer and disposable masks are available throughout the building.  Social distancing is required in Senate Committee rooms, but not the Senate or House galleries.

The Governor's budget will provide some temporary relief, but ongoing funding needs to address property tax relief, education are not included.

During his State of the State address last Monday, the Governor rolled out his "Building Idaho's Future" plan, listing nine categories of this budget. The budget uses Idaho's one-time surplus and healthy returns from last year's revenues to invest in critical infrastructure and workforce needs. I applaud the plan to invest in transportation, broadband (for schools, businesses, and telehealth), education, workforce training, and public safety.

The first two priorities listed in the plan are tax relief and spending cuts. Tax relief for those in the most desperate economic need, like our working poor and seniors, receive a one-time benefit, while those who need assistance the least could receive permanent tax cuts. Meanwhile, the Governor and the Legislature are sitting on over $1 billion in revenues from the Rainy Day Fund and strong tax collections while reducing ongoing budgets for programs and departments that serve the public, including education. Idaho also received $180 million in internet sales tax revenues, but the 11.5% sales tax allotted for local governments is not being allocated at a time when emergency services, schools, and property taxes are stretching people and communities to the breaking point.

Idaho's economy, as a whole, has fared well despite the global pandemic, but almost one-third of residents in Ada County are still living paycheck-to-paycheck. We have a window of opportunity to invest in the areas that will most benefit working Idahoans in the long-term.

Republican legislators are prioritizing limiting the Governor's powers.

During my first week, legislation was presented at the State Affairs Committee proposing to limit the Governor's powers during an emergency. The bills prevent a Governor from altering state law during an emergency, prohibit any restrictions on working, and allow the legislature to call itself into session. Up to $24 million in federal funding for local government, school districts, and the National Guard could be in jeopardy depending on whether and how an emergency declaration is struck down.

I am still learning about these bills, their implications, and potential legal issues (there are many), but an executive - like in a large majority of our other 50 states - should have the power to declare an emergency when quick decision-making is needed. We need efficient action when an emergency strikes, just like we have throughout history. It may be more prudent to wait to consider these laws after the COVID-19 crisis has passed, as our state currently has many, many other pressing concerns. During a time of division, isolation, and crisis, we should not attempt to make decisions about how emergencies are treated; rather, we should all of our efforts behind addressing the emergency itself.

I am curious to hear what you think about these issues, so please do reach out with any thoughts, questions, or concerns. In the face of numerous challenges this session, I will still be doing my best to stay focused on the issues that matter most. I encourage you to get involved and encourage our other legislators to do the same.

Thank you.

What a year it’s been.

When I decided to run for public office, a global pandemic that intersected with my day job leading efforts to prevent eviction was about to hit. 

We pivoted and never stopped working. After months of early mornings, late nights, and countless conversations with voters, we won over 61% of a historic number of votes cast in this district!

To my volunteers, donors, supporters, and wonderful family (including my mom/star phone banker): thank you. Thank you for taking this unexpected, challenging, and rewarding journey with me.

Thank you to Senator Maryanne Jordan for encouraging me to run.

And thank you to the voters of District 17 for your faith in me. I hope to make you proud in the Statehouse.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from this year, it’s that many of our neighbors care about each other - people like you, who continued to step up despite all odds. Focus on the bright spots. I for one am ready to advocate for stronger investments in public education and health, addressing growth and our housing crisis, and protecting our public lands and climate. I know it will be a fight, but my sleeves are rolled up.

The work must go on. Stay active and encourage those around you to do the same. It will take all of us in a local, grassroots effort - just like this campaign - to continue to keep Idaho a wonderful place to live and work while it grows.

In the coming two years, I will continue to update you about my efforts as District 17's State Senator-Elect - both in my newsletter and on social media, so stay tuned!

Vote.

Election Day is finally here! Have you voted yet?

During my time on the campaign trail, I’ve encountered lots of people who told me they weren’t planning to vote at all. Partisan politics in Washington are polarizing and frustrating, especially when we need meaningful change right here in our backyards. But in fact, our frustration with what’s going on in our nation’s capital is exactly why it’s so important to vote in this election.

It’s not just the presidential candidates who are running for office right now. All of the races farther down on the ballot are incredibly important to our future—and often, they’re the candidates and issues where your vote truly does make a difference. Here’s why I hope you’ll exercise your right to vote if you haven’t already: 

5. It’s one of the easiest ways to be a good neighbor. Here on the Bench, I’m surrounded by awesome neighbors—folks who wave as they drive by and keep an eye on my house when I’m away. As I walked my dog through my neighborhood this fall, I’ve talked to many of my neighbors who are engaged in local politics, and I’m grateful to live in a community where people care. I’m voting in this election because I care deeply about our neighborhood, our city, and our state. Learn more about this issue

4. Refugees are a crucial part of our community. In my time working for US Citizenship & Immigration Services, I processed refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Somalia, and dozens of other countries. These folks may be seeking asylum from issues in their home countries, but we get a lot from them, too: different perspectives, exposure to new cultures, and an economic boost. We need elected officials who recognize that and are ready to welcome refugees into our community. Learn more about this issue

3. Criminal justice reform can’t wait. Right now, there are more than 8,600 people in prison in Idaho. Most of them are serving time for nonviolent offenses (over 70% of prison admissions in Idaho are for probation or parole violations). I envision a future where Idahoans who commit nonviolent crimes get opportunities to improve their lives and recover, rather than merely being punished. As the pandemic rages on, this issue is more urgent than ever before. I’ll fight to invest in the public defense system, eliminate mandatory minimums, and offer more alternatives to incarceration. Learn more about this issue

2. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. Home is everything. Unfortunately, as Idaho experiences unprecedented growth, not everyone has a place to call home. Last year, 973 evictions were filed and 2,246 people became homeless for the first time in Ada County alone. The housing crisis has only continued during the pandemic. When I’m not on the campaign trail I’m directing Jesse Tree, the Treasure Valley’s only nonprofit focused on preventing eviction and homelessness. As a State Senator, I’ll work to address rising property taxes for residential homeowners, get the state to invest in the housing trust fund, and come up with state-centered solutions to reduce evictions and foreclosures. Learn more about this issue

1. Change starts right here. Here in Idaho, where our state legislators are remarkably accessible, many of our laws start with constituents. There are innovative, effective local programs occurring all over the country—and as they gather momentum, they have the potential to create real change at a national level. In this election, we have an opportunity to create that momentum.

I love a good challenge. That’s why I always engaged with folks who told me they didn’t plan to vote, and I’m proud to tell you that lots of them did end up registering or deciding to vote after our conversations about local elections. Some of them will be voting in this election for the first time in many years. 

It’s also why you’ll find my name on the ballot for State Senate in District 17. I’m ready to work hard for your best interests, bring change to our state government, and restore civility to the State House. I hope you’ll cast your vote, and I’d be honored if you cast it for me.

10 Things Giving Me Hope on the Campaign Trail

When I decided to run for office, I thought I’d be meeting voters face-to-face and fundraising through house parties and other in-person events. Of course, since most of my campaign has happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been nothing like I imagined. Despite the change in venue (and the added challenge of getting my name and face out there while wearing a mask!), this experience has been an incredible one. 

I’ve learned so much on the campaign trail. This humbling experience has also reinforced many of the things I love about Idaho. There have been a few moments where I’ve been reminded that, as a first-time candidate, I’m still working on growing a thicker skin—I work hard to better our community, so being told I should “move to California” stings!—but those moments are few and far between. I’m more grateful than ever to be a born-and-raised Idahoan. 

With Election Day just around the corner, I’m feeling hopeful. Here’s why.

1. We have the best neighbors. One Idaho value that I’ll never get tired of is our willingness to have a friendly chat with strangers. Our state is still small, so whether it was a connection to a friend or family member, favorite sports team, or conversation about a local issue (even the weather!), I always found something interesting to talk about with voters. 

2. Idahoans are ready for change. Most people I talked to are frustrated with the national political scene. I’m with them! Thankfully, many people are excited about and interested in local politics, and I hope my campaign brings some hope. We have so many great folks running for office—people who care about and want to make a difference in our community.

3. New people are getting engaged. It’s not easy running for office and it’s a job I wouldn’t necessarily wish on anyone, but I do feel hopeful when I see more fresh faces and new energy stepping up into the local political scene. We need more elected officials from a variety of backgrounds—people who demonstrably care about our community.

4. It’s still possible to find common ground. I usually don’t lead with the fact that I’m a Democrat because I believe in people over partisanship. Sometimes, I talk to people for several minutes before they learn I am a Democrat. I think people who identified as Republicans were often surprised to learn that even though we were from different political parties, we shared many of the same values.

5. Boiseans look out for each other. Through campaigning and my work at Jesse Tree, I have seen the community continue to step up and help each other. At Jesse Tree, we are able to help more families with rental assistance than ever before thanks to community donations. Friends, family, and neighbors have also stepped up to volunteer or donate to my campaign. During my campaign, I’ve talked to a lot of people who are still doing okay despite everything going on—and they’re looking for ways to give back to the community. 

6. First-time voters are showing up... Some of my favorite campaign trail memories are registering voters. I talked to a Somali woman whose husband was set to come here a couple of years after her, but got held up in a refugee camp four years ago when a majority of the refugee program was essentially shut down. She’s lived here for seven years and never voted. Now she will.

7. ...or voting for the first time in a long time. One example is a woman I talked to who had a felony on her record from 20 years ago, and she didn’t know that she could vote. We registered her, and she will vote for the first time in two decades.

8. Even voters who “don’t vote” are doing so in this election! I've talked to lots of people who’ve told me they simply “don’t vote.” I explain why they should: because local elections matter, and people like me are running for office because we believe in locally-led change and a better future for our community and neighborhood. Many are voting for the first time in years.

9. Boiseans love Boise. That’s something that hasn’t changed since I was born here, and it’s something I hope never does. What amazes me is that here, people truly care about our community, want to be engaged in decisions being made, and are concerned about the changes that are happening. I’m so grateful to be part of a community that cares.

10. You! The thing I enjoyed most about meeting with voters was listening and learning from them about the issues they most care about, which gave me some good ideas for what I can work on in the legislature. You, my community, are why I’m running for office this November.

Our country and our community have gone through a tough year in 2020. With all that’s going on, it’s not always easy to feel hopeful. But I’m drawing strength from our wonderful, caring neighbors right here in Boise. Whether you’re doing so by mail-in ballot, early, or in-person on election day, I hope you’ll get out and vote for the local candidates who are running to make a difference for our neighbors! I can’t wait to represent you in the State House.

Home is everything.

Are you reading this from your home? Maybe you’re sitting on the couch or lying in bed. I’m sitting at my cozy kitchen table while I write this. And as the days grow shorter and colder, I’m reminded more than ever just how blessed I am to have a safe, comfortable house to call home. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors here in Boise aren’t so lucky. 

As you’ve probably noticed, Idaho has been experiencing unprecedented growth for some time now, especially here in the Treasure Valley. Last year, 973 evictions were filed and 2,246 people became homeless for the first time in Ada County alone. That’s 78% of the total homeless population entering shelters for the first time in their lives. The majority of families who lose their housing end up in that situation because of a temporary inability to pay rent. 

And it’s not hard to see how that could happen. In the U.S., housing costs continue to increase, along with costs of child care, healthcare, and other essential expenses. Meanwhile, wages aren’t keeping up: 70% of jobs in Idaho pay less than $20 per hour, and two-thirds pay less than $15 per hour. For families living paycheck-to-paycheck, as many of our neighbors here in Boise are, a single unanticipated financial expense or shortfall—an unexpected car repair, a traffic ticket, a doctor bill, a sick day that results in a smaller paycheck—can easily make it so a family can’t pay their rent.

When eviction happens, it has long-lasting effects on a family’s social, mental, physical, and financial health. There are effects on the rest of the community, too. On average, it costs our community upwards of $50,000 a year per person who’s homeless. Those costs are incurred by our health care system, emergency responders, and supportive service agencies like nonprofits and our homeless shelters. If we fail to prevent someone from losing their housing, we’re creating a difficult and expensive situation for them, and for our community as a whole.

Thankfully, we know what works to end family homelessness: financial assistance and supportive services. When we provide those interventions to families at risk of housing loss or experiencing homelessness, we save money and the social costs of homelessness for our community. It costs Jesse Tree around $1,000 to keep a family at risk of eviction and homelessness in their home.

When I’m not on the campaign trail I’m directing Jesse Tree, the Treasure Valley’s only nonprofit focused on preventing eviction and homelessness from happening to our neighbors and community. We provide support, education, and rental assistance to keep people housed during an eviction. Right now, our work is more important than ever—for many tenants in our community, back rent continues to pile up.

Housing is one of the biggest reasons I’m running for office this November. Our state legislature has continued to fail to address this crucial issue, and we can’t wait any longer. I’ve spent my career working to ensure people have access to this most basic human right. And as Idaho continues to grow—and as we navigate the impacts of this pandemic—it’s more timely than ever. Some of the ways I’ll seek to address this problem as your State Senator include: 

• Address rising property taxes for residential homeowners. The homeowner’s exemption cap has been stuck at $150,000 for years, and residential homeowners are bearing 70% of the overall property tax burden. I plan to:

  • Shift the burden from residents to commercial property owners,

  • Raise the homeowner’s exemption cap, and

  • Extend circuit breaker protections to vulnerable populations

• Get the state to invest in the housing trust fund & reduce barriers to sensible housing development--especially of affordable units—to address our housing shortage and keep pace with growth.

• Come up with state-centered solutions and investments to reduce evictions and foreclosures.

• Revise landlord-tenant laws and improve eviction processes to ensure tenants are protected, and that landlords can save money by avoiding eviction.

Boise is not a San Francisco, Seattle, or Portland—yet. But if we don’t put our heads together to get ahead of our housing crisis, we will see rates of eviction and homelessness increase in our community, decreasing quality of life for all of us. Thankfully, we have made great strides in building local momentum, partnerships and programs over the last year. Next is bringing up that vision to the state legislature and getting them to face growth and address our crisis.

In the nonprofit sector, we learn to work with all kinds of people through public-private partnerships. We also don’t have the luxury of just talking about problems and making promises we don’t fulfill—we are forced to act, and to show our work with quantifiable outcomes funders can see. That ethic is one I’ll keep close at hand when I’m in the state house.