OPINION: Idaho representatives ideals and legislation grows old with them

Idaho’s recent proposed legislation shows just how out of date our representation is. Some of the new bills proposed in 2021 so far are outrageous and would affect a large part of Idaho’s population, particularly women and college students for two of the bills, in a negative way. 

Idaho’s representation is growing old, and their ideals are outgrowing the modern world. Many Idaho immigrants come to the state for the lack of regulation, and representatives have prided themselves on that for a long time, but at least three of the bills proposed this year have aimed to impose more restrictions on Idahoans in some pretty big ways. 

 One bill the Idaho legislation has been considering is the fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill, which would outlaw abortions after about five to six weeks of pregnancy, when a heartbeat could be detected – before many women know they’re pregnant.   

If the aim of the bill is to preserve lives, the legislature should be considering what having a child can do to a woman who doesn’t want it. If they are concerned about lives who have a chance of being lost, what about the women who are ruining their own lives to have a baby, and possibly taking their own lives as a result of the stress and trauma? If there are people out there who think a baby deserves a chance at the pursuit of happiness, then the mother deserves the chance to have that too.   

The safety of current, established lives should be put before those who have yet to even live. A woman old enough to have a baby is a woman old enough to decide whether she can care for the baby. If both lives are going to be put in danger, whether through the hardships of life after being born or through a medical emergency, you can’t save one without the other. And saving one which already knows they have a place in the world is better than not saving any at all. 

Another recent piece of out-of-touch legislation is SB 0219, recently introduced on Feb. 19. by Brandon Mitchell of District 5 in Moscow, a Republican member of Idaho’s House of Representatives.  

This bill, introduced by the House of State Affairs Committee and referred to the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee, will make it more difficult for Idahoans to vote, especially university students. The bill would require voters to have an Idaho ID or driver’s license when voting, and would not allow individuals to use a university student ID or out-of-state ID.  

Voters without a current photo ID would be provided with a free version, resulting in a $2 million fiscal impact on the state’s budget. Voters would be required to present an Idaho ID that lists current and previous addresses according to the Idaho Transportation Department. If these addresses do not match with the Department, voters have the potential to be removed from the register of electors.  

If the voter does not have an Idaho ID, they will be issued a four-year identification card. This bill also eliminates the possibility of providing the last four digits of one’s social security number in order to register to vote.  This is problematic considering that many students participate in absentee voting if they are attending college away from their home state during an election cycle. Students using their university ID’s or out-of-state driver’s licenses will face increased difficulty in casting their votes. This bill has appeared in the company of several other legislative initiatives around the country aiming at making the voting process more difficult.  

These initiatives, overwhelmingly introduced by Republican legislators, are emerging as baseless claims of fraud still haunt the 2020 presidential election cycle. Opponents of Democrats are using these initiatives, SB 0219 included, to silence the voice of influential voter demographics, claiming the bills are to “improve voter integrity.” However, the democracy and government with the most integrity is the one that allows all voices and constituents to be easily heard.  

A bill Idaho Senate has voted in favor of (24-11) is the Senate Joint Resolution 101. This bill would criminalize psychoactive drugs, including the use of recreational and medical marijuana, pushed by Republican Senator Scott Grow.  

Idaho, one of 14 states in the U.S. where marijuana is not legal, is surrounded by neighboring states, including Washington, Oregon, Montana and Nevada, that have legalized recreational and medical marijuana, while Utah allows medical marijuana.  

The bill was introduced to “Keep Idaho clean” and drugfree as well as barring medical use of the substance. If this bill is passed, patients using medical marijuana as a means of pain relief will no longer have access to it, creating ill effects for people with chronic pain or terminal illnesses.  

There has been scientific backing on this substance which disproves stigmas, but arguments to criminalize this drug are still being made.  

In Idaho, marijuana is a schedule I substance, labeled as a drug with “high potential for abuse, along with having no medical use, or which are completely unsafe for medical use event with strict medical supervision,” according to J.W. Bond Law. Along with marijuana, drugs such as opiates, hallucinogenic and opium derivatives are in schedule I as well. With evidence that marijuana is not as harmful as its contenders, claims of this bill are made from emotionally-based arguments.  

Because marijuana is a schedule I drug, and ignorance to evidence that shows that it isn’t as harmful as others in the category, Idaho legislation shows a lack of understanding of marijuana. Cigarettes and alcohol, legal drugs around the nation, also have ill effects and risks of being abused. While these two cause cancer, liver failure and other health precautions, why are they legal while marijuana is still being fought against decimalization?  

 Many Idahoans, especially younger generations, may not support these proposed bills. Idaho needs legislators who represent all of Idaho, not just half of it. Outdated ideas are no use in our progressing society. We should be taking steps forward, not back.  

Legislators have proven their outdated ideas with their responses to proposals like these. Voice opposition, or agreement, with these bills by contacting your representatives. Legislators can be contacted at the official Idaho Legislator website. Spread the word and let opinions be heard.