REPUBLICAN UPDATE FROM THE
IDAHO LEGISLATURE
March 16, 2018
The latest from Boise
Before we get to Legislative news, some great news on Idaho's economy: Thanks to fiscally responsible, pro-growth Republican leadership, Idaho's unemployment rate is holding steady at 3 percent. Also, tax revenues for February exceeded expectations by 36.3 percent!

More tax relief for families, the state education budget, and school safety were some of the big issues in the Idaho Legislature this week. Also, we're nearing the end of session and will keep you posted on when the Legislature will officially wrap up its business.

Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoGOP, Instagram @idahorepublicanparty and on Facebook: facebook.com/IdahoGOP, where during session we cover all the latest news from the Capitol.
Republicans push increase in per-child tax credit
Brand new legislation to increase the per-child tax credit for Idaho families is making its way through the Legislature.

House Bill 675, following on the heels of the major income tax cut bill recently signed into law by Gov. Otter, boosts the per-child tax credit from $130 to $205.

It passed the House Tuesday and will be heard and voted on soon in the Senate.
School budget: Improving education for Idaho's students
Funding bills for Idaho's schools is going full-steam ahead. The Senate on Thursday and the House on Friday passed all seven bills that make up the whole budget. It's a 5.9 percent increase from last year, with an additional $100 million in investments.

We'll have more details in future updates, but highlights include higher pay to keep and attract good teachers, and more money for technology in the classroom.

This year's budget is part of a multi-year effort by Republicans to overhaul and improve Idaho's education system.
Other bills & issues
  • SB 1313, the Stand Your Ground bill, has cleared the Legislature and awaits the governor's signature. It codifies in state law a citizen's right to defend him or herself with deadly force against an intruder at home, at work or place of business, and in one's vehicle.
  • A nationwide school walkout that started as a way to honor the slain students of the tragic Florida shooting, but morphed into a gun-control demonstration, had some Idaho students participating. But a group of Nampa High School students who support school safety and the 2nd Amendment wanted their voices to be heard, too. They counter-demonstrated at the walkout and will be counter protesting at another gun-control march at the state Capitol on March 24. We sat down and talked with them recently -- you can watch the interview here.
  • A hugely important bill to stop school violence before it happens has already passed the House and just cleared a Senate committee hurdle. House Bill 665 updates state law to include credible threats of school violence made electronically (on social media, via email, etc) to arrestable offenses. It also adds a misdemeanor charge for making a credible threat and a felony charge for making a credible threat and being found in possession of a dangerous weapon.
Stay in touch
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