Legislators visit constituents at three town hall meetings

During the ongoing Idaho legislative session, District Nine representatives Judy Boyle and Ryan Kerby and District Nine senator Abby Lee visited three towns in town hall meetings to address the questions and concerns of their constituents. On Feb. 20, the three spent time in Council, Midvale and Payette throughout the day and answered a variety of questions regarding the current legislative session and other topics of interest among District Nine residents.
 The group ended their day at the Payette County Courthouse, beginning the question-and-answer session at 5 p.m. The number of individuals present was significant with Representative Kerby saying it was the largest amount of residents the group had visited with that day.
 “This is easily the biggest crowd, so we’re really happy to see that,” Kerby said at the meeting. “Actually, we’ve had record crowds at every place we’ve been, so there must be something going on in Idaho this year.”
 The concerns voiced largely surrounded education and Common Core curriculum, the Second Amendment and the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The opening question, addressed to Senator Lee, asked when the Idaho Senate would receive a bill regarding the size of gatherings. Lee answered by acknowledging bills that have gone through the senate and are now being transferred to the Idaho House of Representatives. A bill that is now going to the house acknowledges that public health districts are advisory, with restrictions advised now being approved by elected officials. Lee also acknowledged that the senate is widely against state-wide mask mandates.
 Representative Kerby gave two bills regarding education and health districts as example, with one bill allowing schools to consult with health districts but giving a school district the final decision and one bill with the same information but applying to higher education.

 “I think that whole issue with who is making the decisions is going to be covered, and it won’t be the health districts,” said Kerby. “But we will tremendously respect them for their expertise.”
 Of the many education regarding questions, one constituent asked the three policy makers what Idaho is currently doing in regards to curriculum that others may disagree with. Said topics include gender dysphoria and critical race theory. Representative Boyle answered the question with examples of teachers and Boise State University (BSU) students that complained about required curriculum that were disagreed with and were met with negative reactions from administration at their respective schools. Boyle’s solution to the presented issue was to defund BSU and for any and all concerned individuals to first converse with teachers and work their way up to administration.
 “I feel that I am not a prejudice person,” said Boyle. “And I didn’t grow up with anybody that was colored in the least except our wonderful mailman…”
 Other questions asked included the potential legalization of industrialized hemp and medical marijuana, the protection of the Second Amendment in the state, potential change in the language of law, and any potential changes in regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Constituents were advised to contact county sheriffs to learn each stance on firearms. Constituents were also advised that Idaho is a “sanctuary state” regarding firearms. Constituents were also encouraged to contact their legislature and elected officials for further questions and clarification.
 “I think we need to continue to be vigilant,” said Senator Lee.