State of the State

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."

--Maya Angelou

REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE DEFY IDAHOANS

The House has introduced an income tax cut, $600 million, that would most benefit those who need it the least and siphons sales tax funds away from your local governments. The government closest to the people provides services that working Idahoans rely on everyday, such as safe roads and bridges, fire fighting, law enforcement, and safe water to drink. The income tax bill partially off-sets its costs by taking funds from online sales taxes. A portion of sales tax revenues in Idaho are traditionally disbursed to local governments to fund crucial services.

I am disappointed that the first move the legislature has made this session is to present an income tax cut so less money is available to do what Idahoans want: real property tax relief, more funding for education, improved roads and bridges, and other infrastructure investments.

STATE OF THE STATE--$1.9 BILLION SURPLUS

 The Governor provided the State of the State to the Idaho Supreme Court, the Idaho Senate, and the Idaho House of Representatives on Monday, announcing a $1.9 billion surplus.

The Governor also proposed income tax cuts, without acknowledging that the surplus Idaho currently has was built partially on the backs of the frontline workers, nurses, doctors, and so many more who continued working under difficult and dangerous conditions with little to no protection from the State during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our policy efforts should economically support hard-working Idahoans and enhance public health and safety.

The Governor touted education as a top priority, providing 10% teacher pay increases, $1,000 bonuses for all teachers in the current year, 5% pay increase for classified staff, increased contributions to health insurance premiums for teachers and classified staff, investing in literacy programs, and more funding for grants to parents. His budget targets investments in higher education with a 7.1% increase for universities and a 4.8% increase for community colleges.

I fully support increased spending on education. However, the Governor's proposals do not go far enough, especially considering that Idaho ranks dead last in education spending. We need to fund optional full-day Kindergarten in all of Idaho. We need to improve Idaho school facilities without putting undue burden on property taxes. And we need to compensate teachers and staff fairly and sufficiently to retain them.

The Governor also proposes funding for behavioral health initiatives, increased social workers, paying off the state building fund debt, money for water infrastructure, money for deferred maintenance for roads and bridges, and increasing the number of police troopers, among other items.

The proposed state budget is inadequate to repair our crumbling infrastructure and address our deficiencies, outlined in my newsletter dated January 10.

MAYA ANGELOU QUARTER

The opening quote for this newsletter is from Maya Angelou. A Maya Angelou quote is always in order, but seemed particularly appropriate now because she will be first on the American Women Quarters series and her quarter will be issued this year. Ms. Angelou was a celebrated artist and activist, especially well-known for her incredible range of written work, including her autobiography, "I know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

Respectfully,

Michelle