It’s a new year, it’s a new cast of characters, and it’s time to pack away my hiking boots, and bust out my wingtips.
If you’re like me, you’re excited by the opportunity to stand up for things that matter…Things like Public Lands, Clean Water, Abundant Wildlife, and Livable Communities.
That’s right! Even after 9 years serving as ICL’s public interest conservation lobbyist in the Idaho statehouse, I still get butterflies when I walk into the Idaho Statehouse and feel the buzz of a new session. Sure, I get some bumps and bruises, and I’m rarely the most popular person in the room….But I get to represent you, and the things you hold dear: crystal clear streams that flow through wild forests, clear crisp air that fills your lungs as you climb out of your tent on a remote hillside, and robust populations of native wildlife that have the room they need to roam and thrive.
Today, the opening gavels of the House and Senate echoed across the marble halls of the Idaho Capitol, and Governor Brad Little kicked it off with a short (23 minute) State of the State Address, and the 1st Session of the 68th Idaho Legislature is officially underway.
I am also excited to introduce my new colleague Cynthia Gibson, who will be serving as ICL’s Government Relations Associate. We’ll be working together all session to track conservation-related bills, resolutions, and budgets, and we’ll be representing YOU—ICL members and supporters—in the Idaho Statehouse and beyond. Each week, in Cynthia’s Corner (below), she’ll provide exciting insight into what’s happening Unda’ da’ Rotunda.
So, without further ado, here’re some of the other things I’m excited about! Giddyup!
Shifting sands in the Idaho Capitol
Idaho’s May Primary Elections shook up several races around the state, resulting in significant changeover in the Senate’s Republican leadership. Longtime Senate leader Chuck Winder (R-Boise) lost his seat to a challenger from the right. Altogether, 15 incumbents lost, with moderate Republicans falling to challengers in southern Idaho (around Twin Falls and Mountain Home) and a mix of results statewide. After the November election, the Democratic Caucus got leaner as well, with the loss of two seats in the House and one in the Senate. The net result is a definitive rightward shift that is already noticeable.
Senate leadership reshuffled as well, with Sen. Kelly Anthon (R-Burley) nabbing the top spot as President Pro Tem, Sen. Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian) elected as Majority Leader, Sen. Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) as Asst. Majority Leader, and Sen. Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene) as Caucus Chair. On the Democratic side, leadership remained unchanged with Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) as Minority Leader, joined by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking as Asst. Minority Leader and Sen. James Ruchti (D-Pocatello) serving as Caucus Chair.
In the House, Speaker Mike Moyle (R-Star) retains the top spot, with Rep. Jason Monks (R-Meridian) serving as Majority Leader, alongside Asst. Rep. Josh Tanner (R-Eagle) and Caucus Chair Rep. Jaron Crane (R-Nampa). On the minority side, Rep. Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) serves as Minority Leader, joined by newly elected Asst. Minority Leader Rep. Steve Berch (D-Boise), and Caucus Chair Rep. Todd Achilles (D-Boise).
One thing that is certain, the balance of power continues to shift in the Idaho Legislature. Depending on the issue, there is effectively a three party system, represented by more moderate Republicans, Democrats, and a third (growing) contingent of right-leaning Republicans. The Legislature is tacking to the right, which can present challenges to conservation, but the changing dynamics in the Statehouse could also present opportunities for more transparent debates and, we hope, dialogue. We saw the shift last year when we defeated the Pesticide Manufacturers Immunity Bill, and ICL will seek out opportunities for unexpected alliances in the coming session.
Governor Brad Little lays out his priorities for the year
Governor Brad Little gave the annual State of the State Address today to a joint meeting of the Idaho House and Senate, along with other distinguished guests. He heaped praise on the incoming administration, celebrated the outcome of the November election, and highlighted priorities including education, transportation, water, tax cuts, economic development, and more. Aside from some discussion of wildfires and the Eastern Snake Plain Water Wars, he didn’t have much to say on public lands, water, or wildlife.
Regardless of the Governor’s goals, as usual, the Legislature will have priorities of their own. As Chairman of House State Affairs Rep. Brent Crane (R-Nampa) noted to the Idaho Statesman “I anticipate you’ll see some very conservative proposals come forward this year.” Some of the targets of that legislation likely include school vouchers, higher education diversity efforts, abortion, immigration, regulations, and more.
On ICL’s docket, we expect to see an early reintroduction of a Pesticide Immunity Bill (Take Action!), along with legislation that relates to the Public Lands Takeover, renewable energy, state endowment lands, water (quantity and quality), mining, and much much more. We’ll also be working to advance proactive policies, as opportunities arise.
As always, it’s bound to be a busy session, and the whole team at ICL will be involved in tracking bills and finding ways to plug you in.
Speaking of plugging you in, you can learn about all the bills that ICL is watching on our handy, dandy Bill Tracker. We provide compelling and insightful analysis of bills, along with links to more information, and ICL’s position on the bill. Check out some of last year’s bills to see examples, like this one on public lands. After all, you know there will be some bills that arise, resurrected as Zombie Bills, that are sure to haunt us in the coming year. Spooky, eh? Don’t I know it…
We also have not one, but TWO opportunities for you to take action. Even though it’s only the first day of the session, it’s NEVER too early to contact your legislators and let them know that…
- You want to see Idahoans protected from pesticides, and
- You LOVE our public lands.
Cynthia’s Corner
After a whole two days in my new position at ICL, I am thrilled to be contributing to the Legislative Update in my very own Cynthia’s Corner. I’ve been learning hourly about all the monumentally important work to protect Idaho’s environment; here are my first impressions. 
Saving public lands is not just about preserving Idaho’s heritage and history, it’s about sound economic decisions for Idahoans and future generations of Idahoans. These lands are “for the people”—we all pay for them and for the people who care for them. To take these lands away from all of us and allow billionaires to develop and profit from them is contrary to our country’s and our state’s very foundation.
Clean water—With nearly ONE MILLION dairy cows in Idaho, 150 million pounds of manure is produced every single day. This waste contains high levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other pollutants. It’s seeping into groundwater and resulting in outbreaks of toxic algae. We talked about cow poop a LOT during my first two days, it’s a growing problem, and it isn’t going away.
Elk Farm disease—After years of concern from ICL, the Idaho Wildlife Federation (IWF), and other wildlife advocates, two cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were detected on private elk farms in recent weeks. ICL and IWF fought efforts to weaken prevention efforts just last year. Looks like concerns were well founded…
Finally, it has been a whirlwind of meetings, readings, and emails as I get my feet under me. Jonathan is extremely fun to work with and is a fountain of knowledge. With the Idaho Legislature under way, I expect to be overwhelmed by a tsunami of policies and rules. Rest assured we will keep you up to date so you can engage!
Plus, join us for the Legislative 101 and Public Lands Update webinar! Learn about how the Legislature works, what the upcoming session might look like, and how to engage in the lawmaking process. We’ll also discuss pertinent issues to this year’s session, with specific attention to the latest Public Lands Takeover attempt.
Tie of the Week! 
As noted above, the political winds in the legislature present challenges, no doubt, but they also present opportunities. Political tension creates space needed for creative thinking, and last year, when right-leaning Republicans came together with Democrats in the Senate, we were able to defeat a bill that threatened the lives and livelihoods of Idahoans by granting complete immunity to multinational pesticide corporations. German and Chinese pesticide companies are chomping at the bit to resurrect the bill, and I remain hopeful that working together with diverse partners, committed supporters, farmworkers, neighbors, public health advocates, and others, that we can once again stand up against powerful forces and win.
Until next week, I remain hopeful…Esto Perpetua,
Jonathan