I'm at the statehouse for today's unofficial "special session" of #idleg. Rally attendees have filled the gallary. I'm counting 12-15 representatives. Looks like we're getting started in a few moments here.
"We're all racists up here!" someone calls from the gallery. "Racists, extremists!"
Rep. Boyle starts it off, acknowledges this isn't a legislative session because they don't have quorum. Rep. Tim Remington leads a prayer. The crowd cheers at the end of the pledge of allegiance, and Boyle asks them to stay quiet as the Reps conduct business.
The locus of their business seems to be a proclamation of charges against @GovernorLittle overstepping his authority during the COVID-19 situation.
They also say the distribution of CARES Act funds needed to be appropriated specifically by the Legislature. Without spending authority from the Legislature, the proclamation says, agencies using those funds are acting unlawfully.
In sum, they call for an immediate reconvening of the 65th Legislature to address the emergency.
Boyle: Our silence tells the people of Idaho that we agree with the governor's actions.
Boyle: "We are an equal branch [of government], we shouldn't have to beg the executive branch to do our business."
Remington: The hospital in CDA lost millions in revenue despite having no coronavirus cases.
In his opinion, it's the government actions that are causing an emergency in employment, mental health, suicides, etc.
In his opinion, it's the government actions that are causing an emergency in employment, mental health, suicides, etc.
Christensen: "The governor is a decent guy, but we disagree." He seems focused on individuals' rights to practice religion and conduct business as they see fit.
I've heard several Reps say that suicide rates are up. That contradicts what @IDHW told @davlinnews at the last press conference. (Which could have changed since then, of course.)
Mendive: The Spanish Flu ravaged the country 100 years ago and we didn't suspend the constitution then.
He says it worries him how willing folks were to go along with the orders. "We need to stand up for our constitution and America."
He says it worries him how willing folks were to go along with the orders. "We need to stand up for our constitution and America."
Wisniewski: The actions to 'lower the curve' at the beginning of the emergency were appropriate because they were reacting to an unknown virus. Now, in the northern five counties they have only a few patients hospitalized.
Wisniewski: Washington state allowed more local flexibility with reopening. He says their approach was more rational than in Idaho.
It's taking 12+ weeks for people to get their unemployment, Wisniewski says, while the state has hired 200+ new contact tracers. Calls the unemployment situation a "meltdown"
Gestrin: Idaho forests were closed while liquor stores stayed open. People's medical issues are going undiagnosed because they can't go to the doctor.
Gestrin: There are more legislators who feel as we do, and I wish more had come today.
Moon: Boise County businesses were told by sheriff that they could open if they followed protocols.
Addressing a camera directly, she asks the governor not to threaten people's livelihood by revoking liquor licenses or occupational licenses. She also says not to jail Sara Brady, the mom/anti-vax activist arrested in a Meridian park.
Kingsley: People are excited to get stimulus checks, but our kids and grandkids will have to pay that back "if we last that long." Says he isn't jealous of the governor's job here.
Zito: Government shouldn't do anything to you or for you that you wouldn't do for your neighbor. "It's my job to keep me safe." Says contact tracing is the "most unconstitutional thing" she's ever seen.
Zito: Little has taken the lead. He's assigned his own committees to oversee funds. The buck stops with him.
We [the Reps] have done everything we can to make our voices heard.
We [the Reps] have done everything we can to make our voices heard.
Rep Scott starts her comments reading from the bible (Proverbs)
Scott: "I'm from North Idaho, we read the Constitution up there." She points to the Bonner Co sheriff who has refused to enforce the public health orders.
Scott: "We almost lost the republic" to self-appointed dictator Little.
She says she believes we're headed for a civil war I'd things don't change. She says that the governor is being controlled by outside groups (the CDC, governors' associations).
Crane: We're looking at legislation to make sure businesses, churches, and schools have some predictability the next time something like this happens.
"I'm still waiting for aliens and zombies next," Nichols jokes. She echoes another's comment that the legislature feels 'unessential' and unable to help their constituents.
Nichols: I'm out of options to help my constituents. "It feels like there's no end in sight."
Nichols wraps up with the famous "a Republic, if you can keep it" quote from Ben Franklin.
Remington is up now, talking about his church's attempts to stay open. He says that people from all over the state (including the media, hi!) blasted him for staying open. Says he received many emails saying that he and his family should catch COVID-19 and die.
Remington is skeptical of COVID-19 being a true crisis. He's criticising the WHO and CDC directives. He says he has no intention of running again (which he's said before) but that next January's legislators will be walking into a mess.
Mendive: After state revenues have taken a hit from the economic freeze, the Legislature will need to reconvene anyway because the budgets they passed this year won't work.
Giddings: If a contact tracer finds that I'm infected, they can take my kids away from me. That's unacceptable.
Giddings was the last speaker. Applause and cheers for 30-45 sec or so. Remington closes with another prayer.
