Legislators sound off as session approaches

COEUR d’ALENE — Housing, workforce gaps, taxes and AI were key issues raised during a Breakfast with the Legislators at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn on Wednesday.

Participating legislators included State Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d' Alene, Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-District 4, Seat A Coeur d’Alene, Rep. Elaine Price, R-District 4, Seat B, State Sen. Ben Toews, R-District 4, Seat A, Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d'Alene and State Sen. Carl Bjerke, R-District 5.

Property taxes were a source of vexation for Mendive, who said, “they bury you” when it comes to taxing primary residences. 

“I don’t think the Founders would have smiled on this whole process,” Mendive said to the more than 100 people in attendance.

Hart said the challenges emerging from the rising use of AI rated concern when it comes to developing laws at a rate to keep up with new technologies.

“I think we can get our shirt caught in the machinery and maybe lose some of our civil rights,” Hart said. 

Barbieri had similar AI concerns over job stability as it is used more prevalently across different fields. 

“These AI and bipedal robots are going to take over all the jobs,” Barbieri said. 

Education was noted as becoming an increasingly more complicated puzzle.

Price said she is wary of government overregulation, especially in education unless a good enough solution emerges.

Proposals to make changes to education often involve what she termed as “archaic funding formulas for schools” that can hurt schools. 

“Solutions being proposed were creating winners and losers,” Price said.   

Multiple legislators praised vocational and community college options like North Idaho College and Kootenai Technical Education Campus for connecting employers to trained individuals.

“For K through (grade) 12, we shouldn’t be pushing everybody toward college,” Hart said. “I think free market forces can solve these problems.”   

Alfieri hopes the government can find a way to enact a tax framed around direct participation in the economy.  

“What I would like to see in an ideal world is simply a consumption tax,” Alfieri said, 

Legislators across the board asked their constituents to connect with them about their needs and visions ahead of the legislative session whether by call or texting. 

The lawmakers stated their email inboxes frequently get flooded and are a less reliable to reach their desks in time for them to take action. 

Price urged residents to seek out their legislators when they get mixed messages on how they'll be impacted by a piece of legislation.  

“I would just implore you if you have questions, don’t operate the rumor mill, come to us directly,” Price said.     

The event was presented by the Joint Chamber Public Policy Committee.  

    Legislators took turns responding to a series of questions from constituents Wednesday during Breakfast with the Legislators. The event was presented by the Joint Chamber Public Policy Committee.