APRIL REPORT
With the Sixty-Seventh Idaho Legislature’s Second Regular Session behind us, all eyes are on the upcoming May 21, 2024, Primary Election. All 105 legislators are up for election in Idaho every two years. The May Primary Elections determine the vast majority of outcomes for legislative seats. With heavy political contests for both Republicans who dominate the makeup of the Legislature, as well as some competitive races for the small number of coveted democratic districts, this election is again the most important in recent history. There are also county races heating up throughout the state as candidates vie for local and legislative seats.
The political class of candidates in Idaho continues to show the fractures that now fully exist. While many seek to win office on traditional Idaho values as “Main Street Republicans”, others are leaning into the far right or “Freedom Caucus” while following the narrative of various well-funded national conservative organizations and Super PACs. Many Republican candidates are also mimicking the tactics used by the Trump Campaign. This results in a bitter divide between Republicans in Idaho. These divisions are also evident in some of the democratic races as the clarity of candidates becomes murky in multi-way races that cost more and deplete resources that could be used by funders elsewhere.
The post-session shuffle of titles and staff within the government is also upon us. Spring is a natural time for folks in state government to make a change, this can mean promotions, departures, and variations that are both common and surprising. This time of transition also brings some new opportunities and creates the need for new and deepened relationships. The time just before and just after the session seems to be the most natural time for these changes, and we will continue to update you as we learn what changes occur. It remains our goal to have strong relationships with every agency and all elected officials in state government. It’s no easy task, but it’s one we work to be the best at.
Following the narrow passage of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) budgets at the end of the session, there is now legal action against the state pertaining to the sale of the State Street ITD complex. The developers who were awarded the bid by the state to develop the property recently submitted petitions, a writ of prohibition and writ of mandate, to the Idaho Supreme Court. While this plays out in Idaho’s highest court, a multi-million-dollar decision comes with it. This is another costly and disappointing lawsuit on the coattails of the legislative session. The results of political fights turning into legislation that is outside the bounds of the proper role of government continue to plague Idaho. From social issues to business dealings, the Idaho Legislature continues to cost taxpayers millions in court fees and lawsuits. A new normal that has many Idaho citizens and businesses across all sectors in dismay.
While campaign season crescendos into late May, there is much to do outside of politics. Massive infrastructure packages, including $583 Million for the Broadband-Equity-Access-and-Deployment program (BEAD), will revolutionize Broadband infrastructure in Idaho; there are also hundreds of millions of dollars for roads, water, schools, and more. This massive set of investments, coupled with record growth and a desperate need to update antiquated infrastructure, will stabilize the power, water, and transportation systems in Idaho for an ever-expanding new era of high-tech needs. We also dove into many of the policies and ideas from companies and groups across the state as we recently attended the 2024 Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference.
Continued support for Launch, school facilities, and many other programs and policies that have now passed and will need to be implemented by agencies will round out the next few months as we build toward the next session. As spring continues, we will gain a clearer picture of who will be in office and who will lead agencies for what is sure to be a dynamic year ahead. In the meantime, we also look forward to spending more time on your projects and needs. As we resume a regular cadence of communication and meetings with you, please don’t hesitate to let us know what else we can do for you.
