Week 10 Review

Week 10 Review-



With a 9 hour debate on Wednesday, even though many good representatives desperately and heroically tried to stop the State Exchange (H248), the bill passed 41-29. H248 will again come to the Senate for consideration. The Commerce Committee will be holding another hearing about H248 in the auditorium on Tuesday at 1:30 pm. Since the State Exchange is against life, liberty, and property, I and many other Senators will try to stop such a travesty from happening in Idaho as it comes to the floor for debate.
Many of the bills relating to our 2nd amendment rights have been moving through the process this week. H219, which prevents state law enforcement and state officials from enforcing any new federal gun regulations, passed in the House and will be heard in the Senate. H192, which creates an additional concealed weapons permit (called enhanced concealed permit), passed in the House and is will be heard in the Senate State Affairs committee. H183, which prohibits cities and counties from regulating concealed carry, has passed in the House and is also waiting a hearing in the Senate State affairs committee. All of these bills are great measures to protect and expand our 2nd amendment rights, please give them your support! ( question: if counties are no longer responsible for concealed carry permits, who is?)
The personal property tax is becoming a major issue during this late part of the session. The personal property tax is a tax which is placed on personal property of business. It is an unfair burden on business. The problem is that repeal of such a tax causes a loss to the counties which are already struggling with their expenses. We do not want the tax shifted to real property and we should not expect the counties to have to depend on state monies to replace the tax revenue. I am open to good suggestions.
On Monday the Senate passed SB 1108 which would allow rural communities to have more of a say in the initiative process by requiring that 6% of registered voters in 18 of 35 legislative districts signal their support for the initiative to make the ballot.
On Friday, the Senate had the honor to unanimously pass SCR 124, a Senate Concurrent Resolution that honored five fallen Idaho servicemen. The five fallen servicemen who gave their lives in the service of their country are listed here: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Brown, 27; U.S. Army Sergeant Chris J. Workman, 33; U.S. Army Private First Class Cody O. Moosman, 24; U.S. Army Specialist Ethan J. Martin, 22 and U.S. Army Private First Class Shane G. Wilson, 20. The families of each of the servicemen joined us as we gave thanks and memorialized the great sacrifice each has given for their country. Their ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten and it was a sobering reminder of why it is that we are Americans and Idahoans. May we honor those who willingly put their life on the line for us and those who have given their lives for the freedoms we cherish.
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