Shippy says he’s ready to take on learning curve

NEW PLYMOUTH – As a new lawmaker, Brandon Shippy said he knows he has a lot to learn but he plans to keep a sharp focus on the needs of his constituents.

 “No. 1, I want to be a voice for District 9,” he said.

 A small business owner, Shippy secured the Idaho state senate seat for District 9 in November, defeating Democratic challenger Rachel Buck. Shippy was initially appointed to the District 9 Senate position by Gov. Brad Little in July. Shippy replaced former Republican senator Abby Lee.

 Shippy said his initial goal when the Idaho Legislature convenes Jan. 6 will be to learn the political ropes in the Idaho Senate.

 “I’m learning so there is building relationships and understanding how it all works on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

 Shippy will have his hands full as he was appointed to the vice chair of the Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee along with positions on the Health and Welfares and State Affairs committees.

 “There will be a lot of reviewing of rules. One of my goals is also to read every bill I vote on and that will be a big job,” he said.

 He said his agenda will rest with concerns brought up by voters in his district. 

 “I do plan on running a bill to reduce the cost of driver’s licenses for seniors,” he said.

 Shippy said a lot of requests he receives “can’t be translated into bills and won’t go anywhere because they’ve been tried before.”

 He said he’s received requests for bills to address emergency medical services and to repeal Idaho’s 6% grocery tax. Repealing the 6% grocery tax, he said, is important for many border communities – such as Fruitland – but probably would gain little traction in the Legislature. 

 Shippy said one issue he believes should be reviewed by lawmakers are the exceptions to Idaho’s abortion law. Now, Idaho bans abortions, except in specific cases such as rape, incest, certain medical emergencies or to prevent the death of a pregnant woman. Shippy said he believes there should be equal protection and right for all of the unborn.

 “We currently have pro-life laws that are built upon certain moral foundations. Yet at the same time, we do not provide equal protection for all pre-born. We select some to be protected and some not, based on various circumstances,” he said.

 Shippy said Idaho’s abortion law “essentially dehumanizes the baby in the womb.”

 “If we claim to stand on a moral foundation for our pro-life laws, why are we not applying it equally to all unborn children?” he said.

 Shippy said he plans to introduce legislation regarding equal protection for the pre-born. He said he is still crafting the legislation and would provide more details in the future.

 “I think we need to relook at what our standard is for evaluating these things,” he said.

 Shippy said another “hot button” issue will revolve around school choice. 

 “I keep hearing there will be various bills (about school choice) but haven’t seen any,” he said.