Capitol Letters | The Idaho Legislature Report
By Hayat Norimine, Accountability Editor; Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
We’re back at the Capitol.
Idaho’s regular legislative session starts today — and this year’s to-do list for lawmakers includes revisiting the state’s Medicaid expansion, which voters approved with more than 60% support in 2018.
After Idaho voters passed a referendum to expand eligibility for Medicaid, state lawmakers set a Jan. 31, 2023, deadline by which they would reconsider the expanded program.
Critics of Medicaid expansion say it’s grown costlier than expected. New House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, on Thursday said the total Medicaid budget last year surpassed education as the state’s largest expense.
“It’s out of control,” Moyle said. “And if we do not get this Medicaid animal under control, it’s going to have an impact on education and other places.”
Other debates on the horizon? School choice and property tax relief. Read Ryan Suppe’s full preview here.
Senate Republican leaders on Friday in a statement said they “commit to transparency” and plan to focus on “what we’ve heard from constituents all over the state: lowering taxes, promoting economic development, improving education, bolstering public safety, and proactively protecting Idaho’s sovereignty.”
State of the State address
Though Monday will be the first day of the legislative session, not a whole lot of lawmaking is expected to get done. Instead, the first day is typically filled with the governor’s State of the State address and legislative previews by both Republican and Democratic leaders. (Watch Gov. Brad Little’s full speech here at 1 p.m.)
Little was sworn in on Friday for his second term as governor. He was joined by his wife, children and grandchildren, as he promised to lead with civility and integrity, following in the footsteps of past governors.
“For me, it’s about learning from them, but it’s also about always putting Idaho first,” Little said Friday. “By now you know my goal is to make sure everyone in Idaho has an opportunity to thrive, and that our children and grandchildren will choose to stay.”
The incumbent beat a high-profile, far-right GOP challenger, former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, and went on to secure 60.5% support in the November general election.
Read Suppe’s full story here.
What’s next on abortion?
Just a few days before the legislative session, the Idaho Supreme Court issued its decisions on Planned Parenthood’s challenges to three of Idaho’s abortion laws. Those laws banned most abortions, let certain family members of a fetus sue health care professionals who perform abortions, and make the procedure after roughly six weeks of pregnancy a felony for medical professionals.
Justices wrote that the Idaho Constitution doesn’t guarantee “a fundamental right to abortion.”
Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, who chairs the House State Affairs Committee, told the Idaho Statesman on Friday that he’s been discussing changes to the current trigger law that was challenged in federal court. Those changes, which he said he discussed with other lawmakers and newly elected Attorney General Raúl Labrador, had to do with part of the law that allows for exemptions to save the pregnant patient’s life.
The current law allows for abortions necessary for the pregnant patient to survive. President Joe Biden’s administration challenged the law on its lack of exemptions for when the patient’s health is in danger. A judge sided with the Department of Justice in August, and blocked Idaho from enforcing the abortion ban in emergency situations.
“Language” on the exemption involving the woman’s life “is being shopped around amongst interest groups right now,” Crane said.
Crane told the Statesman he’s unsure at this point whether legislation on the “morning after” pill, also known as Plan B, would be proposed. He said lawmakers won’t be touching the issue of IUDs — intrauterine devices, another form of contraception.
Catch up on last session
Last year, in 81 days of the legislative session, the Statesman wrote at least 84 in-depth stories and 54 Capitol Letters newsletters, covering more than 40 pieces of legislation.
Lost track of high-profile bills? We got that covered. Find out where they landed at the end of last year’s regular legislative session here.
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