Idaho Democratic Party News and Articles

Idaho is home. It’s where many of us were raised and where we chose to raise our families. But as a mother of two daughters, I can no longer encourage them to settle here. This breaks my heart, but Idaho’s cruel laws deny their freedoms and put them at risk if they ever become pregnant. Countless families face the same gut-wrenching dilemma. Sadly, Idaho’s extreme abortion ban is just one [...]

Idahoans are often surprised to learn how unbalanced our Legislature is, with Republicans holding 83% of the seats. Even in this unhealthy environment, Idaho Democrats punch above our weight. And with a fractured Republican Party, Democrats deliver clutch votes on everything from routine budgets to crucial investments in our future economy.  The 2023 Legislation Session was no exception.  A top issue I hear about from industry leaders is their difficulty [...]

The governor’s veto power is an important check on the legislature, especially when it passes unconstitutional, unjust, or cruel measures. Unfortunately, Governor Little has a history of signing bad legislation, even while acknowledging it will be overturned (usually after expensive lawsuits). This week Little was the last person standing in front of two disastrous, poorly constructed bills that attack our freedoms. Sadly, history repeated itself as he signed them into [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEIdaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea released the following statement in response to Gov. Little signing HB 71 into law:“Governor Little just signed away the rights of loving parents to access the medical care they choose for their children. His decision criminalizes treatments proven to reduce suicidality, anxiety, and depression among transgender youth."This legislation harms our vulnerable kids the most. It also hurts entire communities. Our friends and [...]

The Idaho State Constitution reads: “The people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws, and enact the same at the polls independent of the legislature.” Our precious right to ballot initiatives is a check on the power of the Legislature. Resentment over this right has driven Republican legislators to curtail it. Their latest effort, Senate Joint Resolution 101, would have effectively taken it away. Ballot initiatives and referendums are [...]

Idahoans deserve the freedom to make their own reproductive healthcare choices. The Republicans’ extreme abortion ban is a direct assault on this freedom. As Idahoans are now learning, this draconian ban has vast ripple effects, putting at risk our ability to access any obstetric and gynecology care at all. Idaho made headlines this week when Bonner General Health announced it would discontinue labor and delivery care. The hospital came to [...]