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BALLOT INITIATIVE: Bar already high

| January 29, 2023 1:00 AM

Efforts are underway again this year to modify Idaho’s ballot initiative requirements, and I strongly urge those supporting change to think twice. While I am empathetic to the concerns that ballot initiatives should have broad geographic support to qualify, I also believe ballot measures fill a critical gap in representing the will of Idaho’s voters.

Unfortunately, in Boise, committee chairs wield dictator-like powers, and frequently block bills that have broad public and legislative support. This unchecked power has continually impeded the advancement of freedom in Idaho. When constitutional carry was first introduced, anti-gun legislator/speaker Scott Bedke stopped it cold, and openly threatened anyone who tried to bring it forward. Former Senate leader Bart Davis’ attacks on gun rights were also notorious. Grocery tax repeal has also been a victim of apple polishing committee chairs trying to woo favor or future jobs with the governor.

The ballot measure already has a high bar in Idaho and is seldom used. Conversely, abuse of power by committee chairs and bureaucrat bootlickers is an everyday occurrence in the Statehouse. Rather than modifying ballot initiative requirements, I’d suggest introducing either rules, legislation or even a constitutional amendment, requiring that all bills get a hearing and a vote by committee members. This would do much more to ensure a truly representative, democratic process.

If legislators are scared of ballot initiatives, it’s a good indicator that they aren’t doing the job the voters elected them to do.

TODD HOFFMAN

Coeur d’Alene