The first two weeks of the 2020 session have flown by. From Day 1, we’ve been busy, and few places have been busier than the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC). I love serving on JFAC. We listen carefully to Governor Little’s recommendations and the different agencies’ requests. We then ask questions and assess each submission carefully to measure needs and wants to …
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As you’re reading, the odds are pretty good I’m flying somewhere off the west coast of the United States. For the last 11 days, I’ve been in Japan with a group called the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). Each year, ACYPL puts together bi-partisan delegations to participate in exchanges with countries around the world. I had the good …
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In September, I joined Reps. Ricks, Raymond, and Furniss for a joint, District 34-35 town hall with House leadership. The questions ranged from wildlife overpasses and road construction to education standards and water management. As I sat and listened when the others spoke, I was struck by how many issues we’ve already worked together on even as we represent different …
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For the last few weeks, we’ve been digging potatoes. It’s not glamorous, and it’s far from straightforward when you consider everything that goes into growing a crop. But I love it, and it’s something I’ve been a part of for 40 years. I want similar, long-term opportunities for our rural communities throughout Idaho. It’s no secret that a lot of …
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Last month, I saw firsthand the wisdom of Justice Louis Brandeis when he described the states as laboratories of democracy. Joining with other Western legislators at the annual meeting for CSG West, the ideas for better public policy took center stage. Over four days, we explored a wide range of issues. Everything from education to economic development received a deep-dive …
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In all the noise that passes for news, one story in recent weeks stands out to me: the catastrophic flooding throughout the Midwest. Homes, businesses, roads, and farms all sit under feet of water with more projected to come. One farmer saw his 10,000 acres of wheat, two weeks from harvesting, swallowed by the Arkansas River. He estimated losses of …
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