Mariel Wilson | Senator James Ruchti for Idaho District 29 https://jamesforidaho.com Elect Senator James Ruchti for Idaho District 29 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:46:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://jamesforidaho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cropped-Ruchti-logo_update-2022_1-2-32x32.png Mariel Wilson | Senator James Ruchti for Idaho District 29 https://jamesforidaho.com 32 32 The Legislature Failed Idaho Working Families https://jamesforidaho.com/the-legislature-failed-idaho-working-families/ Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:45:08 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=258
You may have noticed the absence of my newsletter from your inbox in the last couple of weeks. At this time of the legislative session, the days grow longer and are packed with hearings, meetings, floor sessions, e-mails, phone calls, and the list goes on. And, of course, the practice of law. It makes for a busy, but fun, schedule. Unfortunately, some things had to give, and I couldn’t quite get to the newsletter.  I always want to provide you with straight talk. That includes identifying the good, but not shying away from telling you about the bad. These last few weeks included some good, but were mostly filled with bad policy and disappointing outcomes.  

Let me start with some good news. Representative Rod Furniss (R- District 35) brought a well-researched, thoughtful and helpful piece of legislation, House Bill 248, which has the potential to improve educators’ access to affordable and high-quality health insurance. Currently, school districts negotiate for their own health insurance to cover their employees. Representative Furniss’ bill would allow school districts to join the state employee health insurance plan, if the districts choose to do so. The premium savings to many teachers under this plan could mean more money for their families. This is heavy-lift legislation, so kudos to Representative Furniss as he heads to the Senate to seek approval.  

The rest of the news is not so good. The session has seen endless legislation related to the consolidation of power by the extreme right. It began with stripping power from other elected officials. This included restricting the governor’s power to act in an emergency, limiting the attorney general’s job responsibilities, and pulling power from local elected officials (e.g., “monument protection” bill). More recently, they’ve targeted voters by passing voter suppression legislation in all different forms. 

Legislation Targeting Voters’ Rights
First, we saw House Bill 88, the “ballot harvesting” bill, which created a misdemeanor charge for anyone who collected and delivered to the post office or clerk’s office any ballot beyond their own and one family member’s. That bill was amended to allow 6 ballots to be delivered and was then passed on the House Floor. Keep in mind, even the bill’s sponsor acknowledged Idaho does not have a problem with its elections, let alone “ballot harvesting.”   

Senate Bill 1110 makes it nearly impossible for an average Idahoan to create a voter initiative, requiring signatures from 6% of registered voters in all 35 districts in Idaho for approval. Current law requires signatures from 6% of registered voters in 18 districts in the State (and keep in mind, that high and difficult standard was established by the Legislature only in the last several years). Why is the Legislature doing this, you might ask. It is because voters successfully passed Medicaid Expansion a couple of years ago, and the Legislature fears the voters may seek to approve other initiatives in the future, like medical marijuana. Because the bar set by this legislation is so high, it is likely unconstitutional, and I expect it to be challenged as an infringement on the rights of the people under the Idaho Constitution.  

Senate Bill 1150 targets Idaho voters who are not in the State and want to participate in the initiative process. It requires that all of the signatures mentioned above be collected in Idaho. In other words, those serving in the military, those attending school in another state, missionaries and other Idahoans living outside of Idaho will have their rights to participate in the initiative process stripped from them. The true intent of this law is to prevent signature gatherers from collecting signatures for a medical marijuana initiative at dispensary parking lots just across the Oregon border.   

The extreme right are also targeting college students’ voting rights by changing voter ID laws. House Bill 219 would require an Idaho Driver’s license or ID card in order to vote. This specifically targets out-of-state college students who often keep a license from their home state and use their student ID to vote in Idaho. 

Legislation Targeting Working Families 
After targeting voters’ rights, the extreme right went a step further, targeting the Idahoans who need our support most—working families. Following a nearly 2-hour long debate on the House Floor over House Bill 226, the legislature chose to reject nearly $6 million of federal funding for early childhood learning. This shocking and irresponsible vote came after a smear campaign against the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC), the organization set to manage the funds. The debate began with Representative Priscilla Giddings’ (R- District 7) efforts to attack AEYC with ad hominem attacks. Much of the information brought up in the debate was irrelevant to the purposes of the bill. In short, the bill’s detractors sought to defeat the bill by throwing as much mud at it as they could in order to ensure the bill was too stained to pass.  

The debate included an insulting and inappropriate discussion of the harms of social justice education, with many legislators voicing their unfounded fears that Idaho children would be taught about issues of race and privilege. To be clear, I believe these are valuable and necessary lessons that children should be taught, but the allegations were unsupported by facts.  

The Floor debate then devolved even lower, as several legislators argued early childhood learning programs encourage mothers to leave the home and neglect their domestic duties. Mothers throughout the area later made their feelings known by protesting these antiquated remarks on the steps of the Capitol.
This was a good and important piece of legislation. It would have allowed local communities to tailor the way the early childhood learning funds were used. It was even approved by the Trump administration and has been highlighted by our two US Senators. Unfortunately, the debate tactics succeeded and the legislation failed by one vote. We expect the legislation to be rewritten and presented again later this session, hopefully with better results.  

The Pattern We’re Seeing
In summary, the extreme right of the majority party is driving the agenda once again this session. They have made their priority clear: collect and consolidate power. The question we’re left asking is “Why?” Why would the party of independence and limited government work so hard to strip control away from local governments, voters, and working families. The answer is simple: power and fear. They want the power to reshape Idaho, and they fear those who would stand in the way of their vision.  

So what does their new Idaho look like? It is one where ideas of social justice are held in disdain. It is one where only those who are “pure” enough serve in elected office. It is one where K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning must conform their curriculum to far right viewpoints. It is one where businesses struggle to recruit talented workers to relocate to our State and where Idaho’s biggest export is our children and grandchildren. Working Idahoans want affordable childcare, quality education for their children and grandchildren, good paying jobs, accessible voting, and a welcoming business climate. They want representatives who actually reflect their values.  

Please stay engaged and support good candidates for office. We can change the unfortunate path our State finds itself following, but only with hard work, focus and a willingness to fight for a better Idaho. The work to reflect the will of the people of Idaho begins now.
Check out my previous newsletters here:
Newsletter 6 – February 16, 2021 – The Legislature Prioritizes Power Plays Over People
Newsletter 5 – February 8, 2021 – One Month Report from the Legislative Session
Newsletter 4 – February 1, 2021 – Idaho’s Childcare Challenges
Newsletter 3 – January 25, 2021 – The Ballot Is Stronger than the Bullet
Newsletter2 – January 18, 2021 – Choosing Empathy Over Partisanship
Newsletter 1 – January 11, 2021 – Fighting for our Democracy
Sincerely, J.R.James Ruchti
jruchti@house.idaho.gov
]]> One Month Report from the Legislative Session https://jamesforidaho.com/one-month-report-from-the-legislative-session/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:27:41 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=246
The Legislature has been in session for almost one month. The pace has been fast, and I have really enjoyed the challenge.
 
Unfortunately, thus far the focus has been on power struggles and misplaced priorities. I know that working families in my district and across Idaho are struggling right now more than ever. They want us to focus our time and energies on the challenges they are facing. Business owners are having trouble making ends meet, students are having trouble keeping up, homeowners are struggling with increasing property taxes, and many are worried about making their next rent or mortgage payment. With so many issues at hand, you would think the Legislature would work to solve at least some of these problems. So far, though, that hasn’t been the focus.
 
One of the many distractions within the Legislature right now is Joint Resolution 101, a constitutional amendment that would ban all psychoactive drugs not legal in Idaho as of 2021. Check out the legislation here.
 
Keep in mind, because it is a constitutional amendment, this makes all psychoactive drugs—including medical marijuana—illegal in Idaho permanently. This legislation entirely misses the mark. I know of nobody who is asking the Legislature to do this. There are about a dozen other issues that need our immediate attention right now. This one just isn’t in the ballpark. Yet, it is consuming our time and will take Idaho in the wrong direction. 

If anything, constituents are asking the Legislature to take steps towards legalizing medical marijuana. Nearly every bordering state, including Montana, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Utah have legalized medical marijuana. If you are interested in this issue, please note that Retired Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber of Idaho, who is terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer, has proposed a bill to legalize medical marijuana that has bipartisan support.
Check out Ret. Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Kitzhaber discussing his bill.
Last week, we also saw more attempts to take away power from Governor Little. While all legislation of this type so far has either been stalled or pulled because of complications, it has had the effect of slowing down any actual progress on Covid relief and vaccine distribution. In fact, there is $900 million in new federal funding which the Legislature has yet to distribute. Governor Little was responsible for distributing federal Covid-19 aid last summer, but because the Legislature is now in session, his office has no control over its introduction. The new funding includes $851,000 for the Commission on Aging for Meals on Wheels for seniors, $164 million for rental assistance for workers who lost jobs, and $58 million for daycare centers’ operations. 

Also slowing important funding is conflict within the House Education Committee. When discussing Governor Little’s proposal to put $20 million toward a literacy initiative to combat new challenges due to Covid, Representative Ehardt from Idaho Falls made disparaging remarks against educators. This was disappointing. Educators are struggling to teach our kids under very difficult circumstances. Like the Governor, they need support and assistance to meet the moment, not obstacles and cheap shots.  

On Saturday, I hosted a Ruchti’s Recap Town Hall on education and childcare. This was a great opportunity to not only summarize what has been happening in the Legislature for the last month, but also to take a deeper dive into challenges Idaho is facing which need our attention. It is heartening to see constituents take the time out of their Saturday to learn what could make our State better and help our neighbors and families live their best lives. 
Check out some of the highlights from Ruchti’s Recap featured on KPVI News.
If this last year has taught us anything, it’s to look for the good whenever we can. Amidst the misguided and mishandled legislation being created, there are a few who are working to better the lives of Idahoans. Representative John Gannon and Representative Bruce Skaug are making a bipartisan effort to speed up the vaccine process. If you or a loved one is still struggling to receive your vaccine, please check out these websites which have centralized vaccine information for our State and Bannock County: 
Statewide Vaccine Information: https://crushthecurveidaho.com/vaccines
Bannock County Vaccine Information: https://siphidaho.org/covid19-vaccine-clinics.php 

I am so grateful to be here in Boise serving our community. Thank you for helping me get here. I’m looking for ways to make progress wherever possible. I hope you will, too. 
Check out my previous newsletters here:
Newsletter 4: February 1, 2021 – Idaho’s Childcare Challenges
Newsletter 3 – January 25, 2021 – The Ballot Is Stronger than the Bullet
Newsletter2 – January 18, 2021 – Choosing Empathy Over Partisanship
Newsletter 1 – January 11, 2021 – Fighting for our Democracy
Sincerely, J.R.
James Ruchti
jruchti@house.idaho.gov
]]> Idaho’s Childcare Challenges https://jamesforidaho.com/idahos-childcare-challenges/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:22:47 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=244
Please join me this Saturday, February 6th, at 10:00 a.m. for a virtual town hall on the latest events at the Capitol. Bring your questions and come ready to learn about the status of the vaccine rollout, the Legislature’s power grab from the Governor and local governments, attempts to cut the Medicaid expansion budget, the effort to constitutionally criminalize marijuana in Idaho, and more. As always, there is plenty to discuss.
While these issues are the most noteworthy at the moment, I want to focus on more than just the latest controversies. The legislative and executive branches spending their time on misguided policy proposals and fighting over control, but working families want to know how Idaho is going to help them live their best lives. They want classrooms with high-quality teachers; jobs that pay a living wage with benefits; clean streams, rivers and lakes for fishing and recreation; and, yes, a competent rollout of the Covid vaccine.  

So, in addition to addressing the latest events at the Capitol, I will also take a deep dive into an issue that deserves our attention and, if addressed, would improve the lives of Idaho’s working families. This Saturday we will focus on the need for quality and affordable childcare.  

Rural and urban residents, single and two-parent households, part and full-time employees all face the challenges of finding childcare that works for their families. The problems are so familiar and painful to those who live it that I suspect many of you could cite them without prompting. Wendy and I have been there. When Spencer and Drew were young, finding quality and affordable childcare was a challenge. I was lucky. Wendy was an educator by training, she knew what we needed, and for part of that time, we had grandparents available to provide back-up when those inevitable emergencies arose (thanks, mom and dad). It wasn’t easy or problem-free. Nothing is worse than lacking confidence in the provider or knowing your child isn’t happy at daycare. But for the most part, it worked well for us, which allowed Wendy and me to go back to school and focus on our careers.   

From my time in the military, to our years earning our degrees with two children, childcare wasn’t always easy. 
As a small business owner, I have watched my own employees go through the same struggles. When childcare is working for them, employees can focus on their jobs. But when childcare isn’t working right, it’s hard for employees to focus or even be at work. This isn’t just a problem that my business faces, it’s one faced by large corporations and small businesses throughout our State.  I recently spoke with the President of the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI), Alex LaBeau, who has made this issue a priority and recognized the vital intersection of childcare and business. IACI did a study called “Untapped Potential” specifically looking into how childcare impacts Idaho’s economy. Check out their report here.  

A quick look at their findings shows the major impact improving our State’s childcare system could have. According to their research, half of Idaho parents reported missing work due to childcare issues. In addition, 23% of parents enrolled in school or workforce training programs reported discontinuing because of childcare problems and over 90% of surveyed parents said they have to rely on family members for childcare. All of these gaps in our system make a real dent in our economy.  

“We estimate that there is an untapped potential of $479 million annually in Idaho due to childcare issues. This includes direct employer costs and lost state tax revenue. When parents face challenges securing adequate childcare or disruptions in their childcare provider arrangements, the impacts ripple throughout the community.” – Untapped Potential 

One of the organizations working to better our State’s childcare is the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC). I’ve had the chance to meet with the Executive Director of AEYC, Beth Oppenheimer. AEYC and IACI are working together to meet these challenges. As I mentioned, solving childcare challenges for Idaho’s working families solves the business community’s problem. I’ve invited Beth to visit with us at the upcoming town hall about these issues.  

Solving childcare challenges in Idaho will not be easy and the path is not entirely clear. But as a legislator, I will not overlook this issue because it is complicated or politically difficult to solve. If this problem is going to take time to solve, we need to get started now.

Quality and affordable childcare made all the difference in my family’s life. I am committed to solving this problem for Idaho families so they can live their best lives.
Check out my previous newsletters here:
Newsletter 3 – January 25, 2021 – The Ballot Is Stronger than the Bullet
Newsletter2 – January 18, 2021 – Choosing Empathy Over Partisanship
Newsletter 1 – January 11, 2021 – Fighting for our Democracy
Sincerely, J.R.James Ruchti
jruchti@house.idaho.gov
]]> The Ballot Is Stronger than the Bullet https://jamesforidaho.com/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet/ Tue, 26 Jan 2021 19:25:16 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=241
Last Wednesday, many of us let out a shared sigh of relief. With President Biden being sworn into office, it feels like our nation is finally headed in the direction of empathy towards our fellow man, progress towards shared goals and competence in government.  

We cannot overlook, however, the deep scars the last four years—and most notably the last few months—have left on our democracy. The nation’s steady diet of false information and vitriol was the foundation upon which conspiracy theories and lies about the election results were built. The harmful misinformation surrounding the election encouraged insurrection and violence at the U.S. Capitol, and for the first time in my life, I felt real fear for the future of our democracy. Of course, this is not the only time our country has dealt with violent insurrectionists.    

 In August of 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, President Lincoln wrote to his old friend James Conkling during a time when national unity was at an all-time low. In the letter, he acknowledged the anger and frustration dividing the country. But, even then, he was able to find hope, writing, “Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It will then have been proved that, among free men, there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet; and that they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case, and pay the cost.” (Emphasis added)

Read the entire letter here.

Lincoln used this imagery on numerous occasions to remind the nation that a strong democracy would withstand violent attempts to take over the government. Lincoln’s clarion call is a needed reminder today.  Those who refused to accept the election results were willing to take up arms against their government to achieve the results they wanted. Nothing could be more undemocratic. Nothing could be more traitorous. While the actions at the U.S. Capitol were the most visible and obvious example, we have seen similar behavior over the last few years at capitol buildings throughout the United States, including Boise.     

In a democracy, the loudest and angriest among us cannot be allowed to have outsized influence. Otherwise, they will use such behavior to intimidate elected officials, monopolize the attention of policymakers, thwart fair elections, and dispute election results. Openly carrying loaded long guns and sidearms to meetings where policymakers are voting, using violent imagery in angry speeches in the course of denouncing specific elected officials, and threatening physical harm against those who oppose them are the tools of despots and are entirely inconsistent with democratic processes.   

While not rising to the level of what happened at the U.S. Capitol, Idaho is seeing similar behavior in the Legislature, at city council and school board meetings, and at public health board meetings. The right of the people to petition their government is a constitutional right and necessary for a democracy to function, but there is a Rubicon that cannot be crossed.  When elected officials make decisions from a place of intimidation, they no longer look to data, facts, and science to find solutions. Instead, legislators and other policymakers listen to the few loud and angry voices. The result is legislation and policy which is short-sighted, ineffective and even dangerous.  

A prime example of this is the misguided legislation to end Governor Little’s emergency declaration. The emergency declaration gives Idaho access to over $20 million in federal funds to support our first responders, National Guard soldiers, hospitals and businesses. These funds also help us manage the pandemic and will provide much-needed money to distribute the vaccines. Legislators who are advocating ending the emergency declaration fail to explain this to their constituents.  
Check out Governor Little’s message regarding the Covid-19 Emergency.
To my fellow legislators: whether they are making their voices heard or not, your constituents are depending on you to represent their interests. The legislation to end the emergency declaration is nothing less than irresponsible and dangerous to the future of our great State. To our constituents: do whatever you can to make your voices heard. What you have to say matters.  You can begin getting involved by keeping up with the legislation that comes before us and letting your representatives know how you feel.  
House Bill No. 1 – This bill limits the length of emergency disaster declarations to a maximum of 30 days unless extended by a legislative concurrent resolution. It would terminate all currently existing emergency disaster declarations that have existed longer than 30 days.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 – This concurrent resolution ends the existing state of disaster emergency in Idaho. 
Check out my previous newsletters here:
Newsletter 2 – January 18, 2021 – Choosing Empathy Over Partisanship
Newsletter 1 – January 11, 2021 – Fighting for our Democracy
Sincerely, J.R.James Ruchti
jruchti@house.idaho.gov
]]> Choosing Empathy Over Partisanship https://jamesforidaho.com/choosing-empathy-over-partisanship/ Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:59:10 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=238
We have officially been in session for one week and, as expected, the time flew by. I’m working hard to spend my time efficiently and create legislation that will improve the lives of working families in my district. One of the highlights of the week was beginning our first committee meetings. In case you don’t know, committees are subgroups within the legislature that allow representatives to handle legislation in a specific field. When one of us wants to pass a bill, we begin by bringing it to the committee it would fall under. This session, I am serving on the Agriculture Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Judicial and Rules Committee. I was happy to watch a presentation in Revenue and Taxation given by Keith Bybee, a Pocatello native, who did a masterful job explaining tax policy and Idaho’s tax structure and revenue sources.  The first week of the session is also when we start working on our bills. Representative Chris Mathias and I have been working on legislation together. Rep. Mathias is from Boise. He is a Coast Guard veteran and has both a law degree and a Ph.d. I’m looking forward to working on policy with Chris in the coming years. He is intelligent, a hard worker and a strategic thinker. Stay tuned to learn more about the legislation we’re working on together.
Despite the bright spots, the first week was not without its disappointments. Most notably, I was very disheartened on Friday when Rep. Muffy Davis’ motion to modify House rules to allow representatives at high risk of Covid-19 to work remotely within the City of Boise was rejected. I have the privilege of sitting next to Rep. Davis on the House floor. Her motion likely would have only applied to two representativesIf you aren’t familiar with Muffy’s story, as a teenage competitive skier, Muffy suffered a horrible accident that left her as a paraplegic with compromised lung function. She is confined to a wheelchair, but that only tells part of the story. Rep. Davis is a Paralympic Gold medalist, a Stanford University graduate, a wife and mother, and a representative who works hard for her constituents.I was very discouraged to see that this vote was made on party lines. This should not have been a partisan issue. This was about being human and empathetic, and my colleagues failed Rep. Davis. I have received an outpouring of concern regarding this bad vote, and I hope we can find a solution for Muffy. Until then, I will do my best to help foster the safest work environment I can for Rep. Davis.Check out Betsy’s Blog (Idaho Press-Tribune) detailing Rep. Davis’ Motion here.Check out Rep. Davis’ response to this vote here. 
Coming up this week, most of us are anxiously anticipating Inauguration Day on the 20th. While I know the day will usher in the kind of leadership our nation needs, I am also aware of the danger insurrectionists and seditionists will present President Biden as well as legislators and civilians all over the country. But I am more concerned with the law enforcement officers and National Guard soldiers who may have to put their lives in danger in order to protect us. On Friday, I spoke with my law school classmate, Col. Paul Boice, who just saw his daughter—an Idaho National Guard soldier—off as she headed to D.C. to protect the nation’s Capitol. All of this upheaval seems so unnecessary. Rest assured, though, I will be at the Capitol doing my job, and I feel confident that the Idaho State Police are working hard to keep us safe. In fact, I saw them at the Capitol Building this weekend.  

Finally, I want to wish you all a happy Martin Luther King Jr. day today. I suppose the chaos and the anger we are experiencing today was familiar to Dr. King. I wonder whether he would be pleased with our progress or surprised we haven’t done better. Regardless, I believe he would tell us we have more work to do, and he would be at the front of the effort with his sleeves rolled up ready to begin. I’m ready to do the same. I hope you are, too. 

With that, let me sign off this newsletter with a quote from Dr. King that is a helpful reminder to us all in these strange and challenging times in our nation’s history:
 “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -MLK
]]> Fighting for Democracy https://jamesforidaho.com/fighting-for-democracy/ Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:39:47 +0000 https://jamesforidaho.com/?p=230
I just thought I would pass on some initial thoughts as I wind up the first day of the legislative session. We started early with a briefing from the Idaho State Police about the anticipated protests today from the People’s Rights, which is Ammon Bundy’s organization. That is the same group that showed up during the special session this year en masse, broke a window and wreaked havoc on the Capitol. They have become increasingly organized and emboldened.   

While they were well-behaved today (and far fewer in number than anticipated), I don’t think we have seen the last of them. In fact, they appear to be affiliated with a national network of like-minded groups throughout the country who want to protest at all 50 capitals on Inauguration Day. Thanks to the Idaho State Police for a strong presence at the Capitol building today, which I am confident contributed to keeping things under control. We may not always be this lucky. 

This brings me to my first point. Since the assault on the U.S. Capitol building this week, I have spent considerable time contemplating how easily democracies can be lost. We have many historical examples around the world. Many of the Founding Fathers worried our grand experiment would not last. Yet, it has for almost 250 years! It has managed to last that long, however, because people like you and me worked at it, fought for it, and wouldn’t give up on it. 

Now is the time to join arms with our friends, family and neighbors to fight for our democracy. As my friend Ryan Cameron said recently in a Facebook post, “We have so much more in common than we have differences.” This is so true. I promise to represent my constituents with that in mind.   

Healthy democracies do not bend to the will of those in our society who have the loudest voices, are the most aggressive, or who use guns to ensure policymakers are paying attention to them. However, autocracies build their foundations on such groups and use just that kind of advocacy to come to power.   
Governor Little delivered his State of the State today. As one would expect, I heard things I liked and things that gave me pause. He is proposing much needed infrastructure spending on transportation needs. We currently have a $242 million transportation funding gap. I’m looking forward to hearing the plan for closing that gap. 

Governor Little also called for reversing education budget spending hold backs, fully implementing Idaho’s $250 million dollar investment in the teacher career ladder and paying for rising health insurance costs for school districts. He is also proposing a 2.6% increase for colleges and universities, and a 5.4% increase for community colleges.  

Finally, he proposed $450 million in one-time and permanent tax cuts. I have not read the details on where this money comes from yet, but will be digging into that in the coming days.  

Obviously, this is just the Governor’s proposal, and the legislative branch also gets a say in how we move forward. With that in mind, I hope you will stay engaged and informed. I will do my best to provide you accurate and up-to-date information about topics of debate over here. This is where we try to solve Idaho’s challenges. To do that, we need an engaged citizenry.  

Please pass this newsletter on to others you feel would like to keep current on what is happening in Boise. Also, please reach out to me if you have questions or want to provide input that might help me do a better job for Idaho’s working families. I really appreciate the opportunity to serve. I will work hard for you, every day. 
Sincerely, J.R.James Ruchti
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