Session: ‘All business’ approach will compete with pre-election posturing
When the Idaho Legislature convenes Monday, it will face a push-pull between two competing goals for the session: a desire for a quick, “all business” session that wraps up well before the May primary election, versus a desire to roll out hot-button issues on which lawmakers want to stake out positions before they seek re-election.
“I think it’ll be the typical guns, gays and gestation,” said House Minority Leader John Rusche, a Lewiston Democrat. Every seat in the Legislature is up for election this year, with the primary on May 17. Here’s a link to my full Sunday story on the issues facing Idaho lawmakers this year.
Republican Reps. Heather Scott, of Blanchard, and Ron Nate, of Rexburg, already have announced plans to push for allowing Idahoans to carry concealed guns without a permit, a move they call “constitutional carry.” Other lawmakers are targeting Planned Parenthood and a halt to refugee resettlement in Idaho.
“There’s some that want to go through that purification process every two years, but I don’t know how far those things will go,” said Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, the highest-ranking senator. “I think something that doesn’t have a chance of getting through the Legislature, that is simply to make a statement and to maybe embarrass some of your fellow legislators, I think that that will be very discouraged.”
House Speaker Scott Bedke, an Oakley Republican, is advocating the all-business approach. He said he wants to see the state budget set quickly – including the big school funding increases required to continue a five-year plan to raise teacher salaries and improve Idaho schools – and then see lawmakers take up recommendations from interim committees. That includes examining public defense reform, on which Idaho faces a federal lawsuit.
Despite much talk over the past year about big tax cuts, few are saying that will happen this year. “I’ve talked to a lot of legislators,” Gov. Butch Otter said. “I have not heard an overwhelming majority calling for tax relief this year.”
Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “I do think we need a comprehensive look at the way we tax, but I don’t think this year is going to be that year.”
