Freshman take on the statehouse

COEUR d'ALENE — With about two months left in Idaho's legislative session two first-year lawmakers are thinking about property taxes, health districts, and embodying civility in the statehouse. 

Freshman lawmakers Sen. Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls, and Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, gave their constituents a look at what is to come during a joint broadcast Wednesday morning through the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce and Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. 

Residents of the Coeur d'Alene region and Treasure Valley are being challenged by rapid property valuation increases and competitive demand. Recently, a property tax bill carried by Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, aims to cap property tax budgets on areas like Kootenai and Ada County to prevent excessive increases. When asked how this legislation could affect communities up north, Riggs spoke of his own experience talking with Rathdrum officials. 

"Rathdrum as a stand-alone city is seeing significant growth, but it hasn't been happening for as many years as some other places," Riggs said. "They're not necessarily prepared with financial stores that other communities have to offset some of the restrictions in the property tax proposals being talked about putting in place."

Rabe, who serves on the local government and taxation senate committee, has also been digging into the legislation. After talking with cities and counties, she said several had expressed concern that it could cut essential services and not restore the balance residents and commercial properties crave. 

"Local governments are feeling stretched. This (bill) would limit their budget growth to the consumer price index and keep their budgets at 4%," Rabe said. "I think it may restrict our economy, local economy, and the already scarce housing stock in some ways, and at the same time doesn't resolve that fairness issue we need to address."

Senate Bill 1060, which would give elected county commissioners the authority to approve or reject orders enacted by district boards of health, was also brought up for senator opinion.

If passed, Riggs believed this legislation would have a positive impact on the local health districts and allow them more time to work on regular operations.

"There has been a lot of concern and discussion over the last year about the board of health coming overly politicized, and that is because they have the ability and control to put things in like mask mandates," Riggs said.

Because of this, Riggs noted that individuals have called for the repeal of district officials with medical backgrounds and training for similarly politically ideologically-bound people. A change that Riggs called "detrimental for health boards across the state."

"By taking anything that the health boards do that is a countywide mandate and requiring the county commissioners to weigh in takes a lot of that political pressure off the board and lets them make some medically-based decisions," Riggs said. 

Rabe said there could be more uniformity and assurance that the people on public health boards have a health background and advising based on their area of expertise. However, she said that it would be best for the public to continue wearing masks. 

On the topic of civility in the statehouse and nation's capital, the senators agreed that politics has become polarized. Both sides have their extremes, Rabe said, but it's been refreshing to her as the minority continues to build relationships with lawmakers who challenge her point of view. 

"Getting to know people for who they are as people, and understand their beliefs which are rooted in values does have merit," she said. "I know Sen. Riggs, and I have built a friendship and will continue to do that with other legislators as well."