Associated Students University of Idaho introduced a resolution Wednesday expressing disapproval of recent legislative passages within the Idaho Legislature.
The resolution details the impact several recently passed bills in the state will have on the University of Idaho, emphasizing the implications on student-led organizations.
House Bill 116 was disapproved by multiple senators who highlighted the direct role its passage will have in jeopardizing the continued existence of ASUI.
Under the bill, students are given the choice to opt in or out of fees dedicated to the support of “services, groups, educational outreach, trainings, workshops, events or programs.”
Since ASUI is funded entirely through student fees, the bill would likely mean the end of ASUI, Sen. Kallyn Mai said, adding there would be a “trickle-down effect” as other events and groups normally promoted by ASUI would see significantly less engagement.
House Bill 377 was another piece of recently passed legislation disapproved by multiple ASUI senators.
According to the resolution, House Bill 377 functions as a piece of legislation that places restrictions on curriculum that ultimately prevent students from understanding “the world they are growing up in.”
“The state Legislature has given airspace to lies about higher education … these lies have been spewed across the statehouse, making our legislators more uneducated on topics they’re supposed to understand,” Sen. Lydia McRoberts said. “These laws have allowed our legislators to invoke fear and grab power away from the people.”
Several senators voiced their disapproval with the language used in the resolution, specifically taking issue with the resolution’s description of House Bill 377 as an “abomination.”
“If we want to get something done, I think we should be respectful of the positions they hold, whether we agree with them or not,” Sen. Hunter Gust said.
Emotions surrounding the Idaho Legislature were high, with multiple senators expressing their fears as to where education in Idaho was trending with the continued passage of bills targeting public schools throughout the state.
“We are nearly last in education … that directly relates to our state legislators and the actions they are making regarding our education,” Sen. Dylanie Frazier said.
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycemccandless