| 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. |
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| 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 |