Capitol Letters | The Idaho Legislature Report
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By Hayat Norimine, Accountability Editor; and Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
Four known COVID-19 cases among lawmakers
Two Republican legislators also tested positive for COVID-19 in the first week of the session, including Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, Idaho Statesman’s State Politics Reporter Ryan Suppe reported.
“Probably another member of the House or Senate brought it with them from the break,” Winder said. “It was my turn, I guess.”
That makes four known cases among lawmakers within the first five days back at the Capitol. Two Boise Democrats publicly announced their positive tests in a news release last week.
No one is tracking COVID-19 positive tests at the Capitol, and it’s ultimately up to lawmakers to disclose whether they’ve tested positive, according to the Legislative Services Office. Read Suppe’s full story here.
Have you heard about ‘Add the Words’? Here’s what it means
Right now, state law protects someone from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. But for more than a decade, Idaho’s LGBTQ advocates have been trying to “add the words” — “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” In 2020, the bill died in a Senate committee.
So on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Garden City Democrat brought the bill back. Rep. John McCrostie introduced it as a personal bill on the House floor. It’s not expected to get a hearing, but McCrostie told the Statesman Democrats believe it’s “something that needs to be out for public consumption, for public discussion.”
“At least this is something that we’re talking about today, and I hope that we can talk about it more,” McCrostie told Suppe. Read the full story here.
Idaho’s superintendent of public instruction pitches K-12 budget proposal
Sherri Ybarra, the state’s superintendent of public instruction, wants to spend $39.3 million to provide an optional, full-day kindergarten — a little less than what lawmakers have estimated it would cost. Ybarra’s also requesting $67.7 million to raise salaries and benefits for educators and staffers. Read Idaho Education News’ full story here.
Other key bills introduced yesterday
In 2020, legislators passed a bill that protects businesses, schools and government agencies from liability over the coronavirus. For example, they would be protected if someone tries to sue over catching COVID-19. A new bill extends that protection, which was slated to expire July 1.
A new bill would limit local governments from being able to impose caps on rental fees and deposits, according to Idaho Reports. Boise already has a cap on application fees, and this state law would override that local ordinance.
Committees to watch:
8 a.m. Joint Finance-Appropriations. Idaho Department of Correction has struggled with a staffing shortage during the pandemic, and officials have asked for more funding to attract workers. Here’s where to watch remotely.
9 a.m. House Health and Welfare. Two pieces of legislation are on the agenda. Here’s where to watch remotely.
9 a.m. House Revenue and Taxation. On the agenda is House Bill 436 to cut income taxes, and you can register for public testimony here. Here’s where to watch remotely.
3 p.m. Senate Education. On the agenda is draft legislation on “parental freedom in education.” Here’s where to watch remotely.
3 p.m. Senate Health and Welfare. There’s no draft legislation, but there is a presentation on COVID-19. Here’s where to watch remotely.
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