House Republican caucus meet with voters, discuss topics

Republican lawmakers are speaking up about initiatives to voters.

They say if voters want to pass initiatives, they have to plan how the new law will be paid for.

The Idaho House Republican caucus was in Idaho Falls Tuesday night.

About two dozen people attended.

A number of topics were touched on including Medicaid expansion.

The lawmakers say they recognize through the initiative process it is what people wanted.

They didn’t come up with a way to pay for it, and legislators say that is a problem.

“If we are going to start relying more and more on the initiative process, that it serves all Idahoans, that that process mirrors the legislative process in that it’s got to provide the details.” Said Speaker of the House, Scott Bedke. “And you just can’t dump things in the lap of the legislature and say that the citizens have spoken, and the bill is incomplete when compared to every other bill that comes through the legislative process.”

A question on Medicaid expansion sideboards was brought up, and whether they will add an expense to the new law.

Representative Bryan Zollinger insists it will not be added.

He says it will prevent fraud.