O-SenseThe nonstop news constantly reports on every aspect of our national presidential election.
Viewers know about each move the candidates make and nearly every comment they utter.
Yes, the office of the president does have a significant impact on our country, but I
would argue that local and state positions also play an important role in the actual
day-to-day lives of Idahoans.
We, in the Legislature, determine state tax rates
on gas, food, businesses and income. We set policy for education, health care, all kinds
of business, use of natural resources and much more. We pass new laws and update major
aspects of existing state law, which I'll address below. Now you might not like the laws
or policies, and I might not either, but at the state level we can push for our desired
changes. Things may not move quickly in the Idaho statehouse but they can, and do,
move.
In our Boise Capitol, as a civics refresher and comparison, we have 35
state senators and 70 representatives. We represent the needs and culture of only one
very western and independent state. In Washington DC, Congress has 100 senators and 435
representatives. That's five times more people to vote on an idea or change. And those
Congress members represent massively different cultures across all 50 states. It's a
wonder Congress ever gets anything done!
So I'm asking you to keep an eye on
Idaho elections as we work toward the Nov. 8 vote. Every single member of the Idaho
legislature is up for re-election every two years, both in the Senate and the
House.
My "part-time" job as your State Senator from Coeur d'Alene is very
challenging and rewarding. The actual legislative session is every year for three
months: January, February and March. Those three months are full-time in Boise, with
intense 12-14 hour days. After the session is over, we come home to lots of community
meetings, ceremonies and speaking requests. It's critical to connect with and listen to
the people of our districts! We also attend conferences to learn about other states and
improve our abilities as legislators.
Then there are the Interim Committees. The
interim is the time between sessions, and there are usually about 10 topics chosen for
close study, each by its own appointed joint House & Senate committee. Ten
legislators, five from each the House & Senate, gather for all day meetings in
Boise, usually once or twice a month for several months during the interim. Last year I
was appointed to the Interim Committee to study Urban Renewal Law. We were able to craft
some significant changes and get the bill all the way through the Legislature during the
session.
This interim, I was asked by leadership to be on two committees. The
first is the more intense of the two, Foster Care Reform. We're meeting twice a month,
all day. I get up at 4am to catch
the 6am flight to Boise, we meet
from 9 - 4, then I catch the evening plane back, usually getting home to CdA about 8pm. It's a highly emotional but
incredibly important topic which impacts every single child and family involved in that
system. It also has deep effects on the justice system, education, healthcare and
welfare. I could go on but that's a conversation for another newsletter.
My
second interim committee is much less time-intense but important nonetheless. It's
looking at the role of Administrative Hearing Officers appointed in governmental
conflicts. That committee will have its first gathering next week and may only need a
few meetings, I'm told.
So, dear readers, my point is that I'm dedicated to
working for all the people of Coeur d'Alene, at my "part time" job. The $17,000 per year
we earn in the legislature is not my reason for running. It is YOU. It is the children.
It is the safety of our community. And it is our ability to maintain a strong voice in
state decisions.
Again, thank you so much for your continued support over the years. It is truly an honor to represent Coeur d'Alene in the Idaho Senate.
Mary Souza represents District 4 in the Idaho State Senate.
