Idaho Politics Weekly Newsletter

Sunday, May 31, 2020

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This Week In Idaho Politics

Rebels without a valid cause
By Steve Taggart, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
As an Idaho attorney, I have deep reverence for the United States Constitution. Those who are squawking about the "unconstitutionality" of Gov. Brad Little's efforts to contain the coronavirus really need a refresher in the basics of the American constitutional system. 

Risch: Voting 'no' to relief bill was unthinkable
By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
Think back to a couple of months ago, when senators only had to worry about whether to remove an impeached president. Those were the good-old-days light work compared to the coronavirus pandemic.

Guest opinion: The American spirit -- confronting COVID-19 head on
By Sens. Mike Crapo & James E. Risch
As the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread across our world, our communities have confronted this unprecedented challenge head on.  In the face of adversity, we are seeing innovation and compassion from those working hard to contribute to the solution-the American spirit at its best. 

You've got to know when to walk away, know when to run
By Stephen Hartgen
There's two reasons House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave grudging assent to a $2-trilllion dollar relief plan for an American economy struggling with coronavirus:

A perfect distraction from the wretched coronavirus news
By Jim Jones
A troubling piece of mail showed up in my mailbox on March 28 from the Republican Presidential Task Force. The envelope contained a "Strategy Survey," which was essentially a Trump fundraising questionnaire.

Guest opinion: Biological sex or gender identity?
By Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene
Governor Little recently signed into law H500, the Fairness in Women's Sports Act. The focus of this bill is to protect women's sports for women and girls. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, from Idaho Falls, was the primary sponsor of the bill and I was the Senate sponsor. We worked tirelessly for months to get the right language and support from other legislators as well as outside groups.

Guest opinion: Legislature's priorities aren't serving Idahoans
By Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise
Idaho can have the brightest future possible when we are inclusive and ensure that everyone has opportunities to contribute to the success of their community. Unfortunately, our state is moving away from these ideals. It is a dark day when the governor signs three discriminatory bills into law at once, as he did this week.

News release: Idaho primary election will be conducted by mail, May 19
By News Release
Gov. Brad Little and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney have announced there will be no change in Idaho's primary election date of May 19.

Political news notes: Vaping bill signed . . . Dems praise veto of HB340
By Idaho Politics Weekly Staff
Rep. Green's Vaping Regulations Bill Signed by the Governor. Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a bill that will make electronic smoking devices less accessible to Idaho's youth.

This senator lives with today's business struggles
By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
When Sen. Mary Souza of Coeur d'Alene talks about the state of the economy with businesses closed and staff reductions she isn't thinking only of situations happening to "somebody else."

Can Gov. Little legally require Idahoans to stay home?
By Steve Taggart, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
With the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Idaho, Gov. Brad Little last Wednesday issued a proclamation directing most Idahoans to stay home for 21 days and all businesses, except those involving essential services, to close for the same period. Little could extend the period still further, depending on the outcome over the next few weeks.

Candidate filings show GOP strengths, Dem weakness
By Stephen Hartgen
Overlooked mostly by the coronavirus pandemic and legislators wrapping up the 2020 session, candidate filings for state legislative offices show a sharp drop in the Democratic Party competition statewide and an upswing in contested races in the May primary election for Republicans.