Week 2

Rules, Regulations, Resolutions and Budgets

What took place in week two?

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Health and Welfare Committee Update:

The Health and Welfare Committee has approved the gubernatorial appointment of Alex Adams as Director of Health and Welfare. The full Senate will vote on his appointment next week, and I am confident he will be confirmed.

Mr. Adams has been serving in this role for over six months, during which time he has initiated numerous positive changes that will greatly benefit Idaho.

To learn more about Mr. Adams, here are a few helpful links: Dept H&W Director Alex Adams or follow him on LinkedIn.

We also reviewed numerous Health and Welfare rules and regulations. To view the changes, Click here. For your convenience, changes are marked as follows: blue, crossed-out text indicates removed language, while red, underlined text represents added language.

JFAC (Joint Finance Appropriation Committee):

We have been reviewing all maintenance budgets, which we voted on this past Friday. This process, developed by the committee two years ago, helps us approve what I refer to as "keep-the-lights-on" budgets. It allows us to focus on essential operations while we take a deeper dive into appropriations that will expand our budgets. You can view our meeting HERE. If you are interested in reading and reviewing the 880 page Budget Book click here.

On Thursday, we reviewed the CEC (Changes in Employment Compensation), where we decide on salary increases and benefit package changes for all Idaho government employees. As motions and substitute motions were being made, the process became a bit chaotic and confusing for me.

I didn’t understand why the substitute motion proposed such a significantly lower amount. The original motion was estimated at $177 million, while the substitute motion came in at $88 million. When I inquired, Director of Finance Keith Bybee explained that the lower figure excluded the education department's pay. Representative Steve Miller then suggested adding that figure back in for a side-by-side comparison. Even with that addition, the substitute motion still came in lower.

This didn’t add up for me as a self-employed, basic-math Senator. The original motion proposed a $1.55 raise, while the substitute motion stated “$1.55 or 4%, whichever is higher.” Logically, this should have resulted in a higher dollar amount for the substitute motion.

Seeking clarity, I asked for an explanation. After some discussion and a brief recess, there was visible concern and confusion among the group. Ultimately, we decided to withdraw both motions and postpone the vote until we have more accurate figures.

To watch the meeting Click here.

Senate Chambers:

This week on the Senate floor was short and to the point. On Friday, we voted on SCR101, a resolution rejecting a legislator pay increase. The resolution passed the Senate Chambers by voice vote and is now headed to the House Chambers.

I have opposed this pay increase from the beginning. The original proposal by Majority and Minority Leadership suggested a 43% increase, which I found unacceptable. Even after the Citizens Committee reduced it to a 22% increase, my principles could not support it. None of my constituents ever receive raises of that magnitude, and I have consistently voted against pay raises exceeding 3% over the past two years. Approving a 22% increase for myself would be hypocritical.

It is worth noting that this pay increase was also rejected by the Idaho Republican Party in a resolution voted on during their winter meeting.

For this resolution to take effect, it must pass both chambers. If it fails in the House, the pay raise will proceed. Should that happen, I plan to donate the estimated $400 increase each month to organizations and schools within my district.

To read the SCR101 Click here.

To watch the floor debate on resolution click here.

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Picture of the week: Thanks to our favorite Veteran Capitol photographer Daniel Murphy.

Song of the week:

Verse of the week: Psalm 140:7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Prayer Request:

• That God will give us discernment, wisdom and courage to do His will for the people of Idaho.

• For health and rest.

• That lies and deception will be exposed.

• Safety and protection.