Senate approves “anti-initiative” bill

On a vote of 18-17, the Idaho Senate Friday approved Senate Bill 1159. The measure is intended to make it harder for citizens to get proposed initiatives on a ballot.

The measure grew from republican lawmakers who were unhappy that voters approved Proposition Two, the Medicaid Expansion measure.

Senator Scott Grow’s bill would require ballot sponsors to gather tens of thousands of signature more than required under current law and to collect those signatures in 32 of the state’s 35 legislative districts and all of that within 180 days.

Teton County Commissioner Cindy Riegel was among those packed into the Senate gallery Friday. The initiative was approved by 71%of Teton County voters. She called Friday’s vote a step-too-far for elected lawmakers.

“I’m very disappointed with the outcome,” said Riegel. “I feel like it really takes away from a community’s ability to do grass-roots organizing and the state’s ability to really take on an initiative that’s important to the people. And, I feel like this was a power-grab from the people by the legislature.”

The measure now goes to the House State Affairs Committee.