Dems Prepare To Unveil Jobs Bills, Concerned About Revolving Door
Ethics, education and jobs: Three things that some local democratic representatives have to say about what happened in the state legislature this week.
A lot of what state legislators have done this week has to do with doing the right thing. Members are creating a bi-partisan ethics commission to address the issue and draft legislation. Rep. Elaine Smith (D-Pocatello) is glad both parties are working together.
“And that’s what it’s all about. Ethics should be non-partisan. It’s a non-partisan issue and all of the legislature should be on board,” said Smith.
There was also the issue of the revolving door. Some legislators are considering a bill that would create a one year cooling off period before representatives and senators can become lobbyists, Smith said.
“On the national level, I don’t think a lot of people — including me — we don’t have the trust like we used to have with the Congress. And I don’t want that to happen on the state level,” said Smith.
Democrats are also preparing to unveil a new job creation package early this week. They will be presenting seven bills aimed at rebuilding Idaho’s workforce, especially in southeastern Idaho. Rep. Roy Lacey (D-Pocatello) has an agricultural tax credit bill up his sleeve that he said could help places like Aberdeen.
“You know, the possibility of, if you’re a grain grower, start making flour; feed lot start a packing plant or a rancher starting a feed lot. All these different things can come in to play,” Lacey said.
Smith said she is concerned about having an undereducated workforce, and wants the state to do more to work with colleges to make courses more available.
“We have to make sure that more students, when they do graduate from high school, that they do receive post-secondary education training,” Smith said.
That will come into play this week as Idaho State University goes to Boise to make its funding pitch for the year. Lacey and Smith both hope that last year’s budget losses can be recouped this year.
“Qe have to invest in our children and our students if we want to make Idaho a greater place to come. If we want to entice businesses to come in, we have to have the educated workforce for them to come,” Lacey said.
Smith and Lacey also both mentioned that they support the current redistricting commissioners, despite the fact that GOP leadership has asked members of the commission to resign. Some republicans are concerned that the commission agreed to draw lines that are more favorable to democrats.
