Ellen Spencer for Idaho Senate 2020

Ellen Spencer for Idaho Senate 2020's cover photo

Higher ed budget set, slightly higher than governor's proposal...

Interesting articles today regarding budgets. The Corrections budget was set with a 13.2% increase over last year. not exactly moving Idaho in a positive direction. Meanwhile the Higher Ed budget was approved at 4.2% more than last year - and those same institutions were told to reduce their budgets by 2%. Below is the article on the Corrections Budget. Regarding the Corrections Budget Sen. Scott Grow, (D14) said it "seems like a lot of money to be throwing away each year." So there you have it folks: our Legislature is throwing millions of dollars of your money "away each year" on this matter.

https://www.idahopress.com/eyeonboise/jfac-sets-corrections-budget-on-unanimous-vote-backs-governor-s/article_72db0128-8f5e-56ef-99e1-b7954493c3b7.html

Here's the article on the budget for Higher Education which was set 4.2% higher than last year; 0.2% over the Governor's recommendation.
Sen. Grow argued against the increase and praised Gov. Little for imposing 2% base reductions on all state budgets (except K-12 public schools), including higher education. It doesn't appear that he argued against the 13.2% increase to the Corrections budget.

Rep. Amador had a great quote that he recalled: “It's a lot cheaper to send a kid to Penn State than to the state Pen." Sad.
And Yes, Representative Amador.; we would do very well to remember that.

https://www.idahopress.com/eyeonboise/higher-ed-budget-set-slightly-higher-than-governor-s-proposal/article_bad29055-98fd-5fb7-8b81-0d5c6c979108.html

idahopress.com JFAC has voted 12-6 this morning to set a higher ed budget that’s slightly above the governor’s recommendation, adding back in full funding for occupancy costs requested at the state’s

Editorial: Local control, but for who? Idaho Legislature sends mixed messages

Good morning Treasure Valley & Idaho! And other places if you're on board.😃 Did any of you read the Idaho Press Tribune Opinion yesterday? Epic and SPOT ON! Here's the Link:
https://www.idahopress.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-local-control-but-for-who-idaho-legislature-sends-mixed/article_7a602435-356b-5641-ab83-5ea99558c06b.html

So I have some questions I'll put here - things I ponder:

1. If our legislature hates Federal control of the State, why do they continue to try and keep a stranglehold at the local level?

2. As I understand it (I need to break it down to plain English for myself): Property Taxes WILL CONTINUE TO RISE, but local Property Tax Budgets WILL BE FROZEN. IN ADDITION, there is another Bill in the hopper that WILL LIMIT the AMOUNT of revenue cities and town WILL BE ALLOWED to COLLECT on NEW CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT, further constraining their Budgets. This makes no sense. The State is penalizing Cities and Towns - and the County, by bashing them in from both sides. 🤔

An aside - for all of you people who have moved here from California - and I am not going to bash you in the least - glad you're here! 😊 I just want to welcome you BACK to California! Bill 409 is based off your Prop 13, (I believe that the number).
So, you are going to pay more in taxes - you're just not going to get nearly the services you are used to 😉. Think about that for moment.

3. My next question is something I need to research and investigate. If this is all to save the State money -- where is that money going? What is it being spent on? Certainly not roads and schools... Ah Ha..... this will be continued and I will update here. IN THE MEANTIME - please share this with friends and family. And for Pete's Sake - contact your representatives and tell them stop bill 409. Heck - contact the Governor and tell him to Veto it if it makes it to his desk.
And if all else fails, VOTE THESE PEOPLE OUT!!! It's costing you Too Much Money! Making YOU pay more while they do nothing!

idahopress.com When it comes to mandates from the federal government, Idaho lawmakers staunchly vouch for local control.

Here I am - This past Thursday - at my future new home!
I returned to hear the continuation of the public comments on Bill 409 "Property Tax Freeze" Bill. SPOILER ALERT!
This Bill WILL NOT FREEZE your Property Taxes!!! What it will do is freeze the Property Tax BUDGETS. This means that NEXT YEAR, your Property Taxes WILL GO UP AGAIN!!!! (Except for Corporations and Businesses - yours will continue to go down.....) What will change is that the services counties, cities and towns provide will be hamstrung as their budgets cannot increase, even though they need to provide more services to more people. BTW - Phil McGrane was Masterful in his explanation about how this Bill is an EPIC FAIL.
Two great reads about this SHAM BILL - right here https://www.idahopress.com/eyeonboise/party-line-vote-sends-property-tax-freeze-bill-to-full/article_b6496293-aa23-5fec-9561-ea35ac210d96.html
and a letter from the Latah County Board of County Commissioners I'll post here shortly. PLEASE READ AND SHARE!!!

I was able to join the Idaho Women in Leadership yesterday for their Day at the Capitol. What a great group of women! It was a great experience to meet so many women throughout our community who are paving the way for future generations of female leaders. I hope to see you all again very soon.

Readers Respond to Our Look at the Politics of American History Textbooks

I saw this article in the New York Times and found it very interesting - and unexpected. I've often thought there was a significant difference in the tools/text books used in different regions around the country, especially after seeing the difference in education between my son and my nephew who are the same age and were in the same grade; my nephew lives in Massachusetts. It was Worlds apart.
Then with all the ballyhoo from Idaho's Republican Legislators about our Institutions of Higher Education teaching a "Liberal" agenda (?????), makes me wonder what Idaho kids are being taught - or not... This would make a great discussion topic in any event.

From The New York Times:

Readers Respond to Our Look at the Politics of American History Textbooks

Educators, historians and students had their say on how differences in textbooks from California and Texas reflect deep partisan divides.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/us/different-textbooks-reaction.html

nytimes.com Educators, historians and students had their say on how differences in textbooks from California and Texas reflect deep partisan divides.

I'm Not The Radical Left, I'm The Humane Middle

johnpavlovitz.com Apparently, I’ve been radicalized and I wasn’t aware. Certain people call me the “radical Left” all the time. I never considered myself radical before. I just thought I was normal, ordinary, usual. I thought equity was important to everyone. I imagined America was filled with people who took...

Now this is very interesting.... showed up on my FB page this morning. I like the message. Love everyone. Do good things. Expose hate. Universal messages. What do you know about this group in Coeur d'Alene? What do you think of this? And BTW - Happy New Year to everyone! 🎉🎉💕

Happy New Year from Love Lives Here CDA! Hey, here's a fun challenge. We challenge you to start the new year with kindness. Shovel a neighbors walk, buy the person behind you a coffee, prep some nonperishable meal bags to keep in the car to gift to someone in need. What is YOUR favorite small act of kindness!? Please share with us below!

Lawmakers dubious as local-option proposals resurface

And another. This one is very interesting. I've done a little research on LOTs. There are pros & cons... What do you think?

https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/lawmakers-dubious-as-local-option-proposals-resurface/article_edddb39f-b653-5e56-bfea-d5c599046166.html

idahopress.com BOISE — Idaho counties and cities have been pleading with state lawmakers for decades to give them another way of funding basic local services and projects, from jails to courtrooms

The Legislature pushes up your property tax bill

A couple of interesting articles have been published in the last few weeks regarding that have me wondering just what or how does our Legislature think?! Because they have cut taxes to the point of being unable to provide services the State is responsible for, they are blaming the county and cities and towns for not doing their “fair share”, mandating those services to the counties, cities and towns, but providing no funding. This is NOT fiscal responsibility or conservatism; this is poor financial management and ignorance. While corporations and the wealthy receive incredible tax breaks, the financial burden is once again shifted to the citizens of Idaho.

I'm reposting the links to the articles - in case you missed them. Please feel free to share your views.

https://www.postregister.com/opinion/guest_column/the-legislature-pushes-up-your-property-tax-bill/article_6e554922-4849-5fe0-b107-c4375d028b5e.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

postregister.com When the Legislature orders counties to carry out state functions but fails to provide the money to do so, local property taxpayers pay the price. As a result, residential property

Wishing all a blessed Thanksgiving, however you celebrate it! Enjoy friends, family, critters, outdoors and all that brings you joy. Happy Thanksgiving.

The local elections are over and my work will begin in earnest! Please feel free to contact me here, or PM me with any questions! Stay tuned!!!!

Just a reminder for you to get out and Vote today!!

While the local elections preparation are in full swing, I'm helping out in that arena.
Remember to research the candidates - and get to the Candidate forums:
One is this Thursday (10/17/19) at the Eagle Public Library from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
and there is another next Thursday, (10/24/19) at Eagle High School auditorium from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
Get all the information you can and then make an informed decision - but what ever you do - GET OUT AND VOTE!!!! 😃👍🇺🇸

The water-cooler discussion topic of the day was Gender-Neutral bathrooms... and whether they pose a threat - to anyone - students, public, etc. - or not. What do you think.... 🤔

So here is a question that was posed at the JFK Gala and it’s made me do a lot of thinking about it and asking some folks their opinion, perspective and why they think what/how/why they do.
Is healthcare a right or a privilege?
Feel free to put your comments below ... and why you feel that way. I think it makes for very interesting - and lively discussions!
I’m planning on getting Dr. Epoerly’s book, “Fractured” and read what he has experienced and found out

I have been humbled by the vocal support I have received and I have been asked what else people can do - and where they can donate! There are a few ways:
1. Volunteer - I'm going to need a lot of you!
2. Are you a twitter expert or instagram expert? I'm not!
3. Volunteer!
and certainly last but not least,
4. Donate. Signs and Paper and Envelopes and Cards cost money. And I have got a secure way to do that on-line.
Here is the link, and I thank you in advance - for everything!
Let's rock this thing!
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/spencer4idaho #

Attended the ADA Dems JFK Dinner and what a marvelous event! The speakers and their message were spot on and provided food for thought. Thanks to all who put this event together! Well done!!

Overwhelming public testimony: No to Medicaid work reporting rule

Have you been keeping up with the status of the waivers the Idaho Legislature attached to the Medicaid Expansion bill - which the voters overwhelming approved in the 2018 election?
First, public comments on the waiver are still being accepted so there is still time if you haven't commented, yet. See below for the information on how to do that.

Two public hearings were held on the matter and again, the rejection of the waivers was almost unanimous between the two hearings; only three people spoke in favor of waivers at the first hearing. None at the second hearing.

Additionally, the US already rejected one of the waivers; good news but we're not out of the woods yet.

The links to the articles are below and the information on where to submit a comment on the matter are below - and if you haven't commented yet - please do! The Government really does consider your comments in their review!!!
Your Voice is critically important!!!

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article234528807.html

https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/overwhelming-public-testimony-no-to-medicaid-work-reporting-rule/article_77d792ff-034f-5cd8-b17a-2a8de1aae361.html

https://www.idahopress.com/eyeonboise/final-hearing-on-work-reporting-rules-draws-unanimously-negative-comments/article_7f551916-642b-5771-afae-6e220f99e757.html

For the Idaho waiver, public comments may be sent in via email through Sept. 22, to [email protected], or mailed to Cindy Brock, Medicaid Program Policy Analyst, Division of Medicaid, P.O. Box 83720, Boise ID 83720-0009.

idahopress.com BOISE — At the state’s first public hearing Tuesday on a proposed waiver request to the federal government to add work reporting requirements to voter-approved Medicaid expansion, testimony was overwhelmingly

Welcome to my Campaign page. For those of you who haven't heard - I am running for Idaho State Senate for District 14.
I've thought about running for a few years, but was inspired - no - ignited, after 2019 Idaho Legislative session and the proposal of SB 1159; the bill that would severely restrict Idaho's ballot initiative process, proposed by District 14's current Senator. That bill is aimed at taking away Idahoans' voice; their constitutional right, to address and redress their government when they - the people - feel they are not being listened to. Idahoans are smart, are resourceful, are prudent, and they are certainly not being served well by their current State Representatives. District 14 is clearly not being served by its Senator, and I would like to change that. I believe in a government by the people, of the people and for the people.
Follow me here for more information on my campaign, Ada Democrats' events, and as much legislative news and information as we can assemble and post.
I will be knocking on doors in District 14 and if I don't get to you as soon as you would like, contact me and we'll set up a meeting.

Ellen Spencer for Idaho Senate 2020