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Appears our state legislators are not pleased with our success with Prop 2 for Medicaid expansion and wish to make it more difficult for Idaho citizens to have any future initiatives.

Following years of nothing worthwhile from lawmakers to help with uninsured healthcare, a group of citizens organized to address this problem. Calling ourselves “Reclaim Idaho,” we went to work collecting signatures in our communities. According to our Idaho Constitution, we the people must collect 6 percent of registered voters in 18 districts within 18 months to get a proposal on the ballot. With tenacity and a lot of door-knocking, the goal was meet with 74,818 valid signatures.

Now, Idaho Bill 1159 wants to tighten screws on this process to 6 month (1/3 the time) and substantially increase numbers. Its suspected this is tied to their fear in seeing other states pass numerous initiatives on issues like medical marijuana, limiting payday loaners’ exorbitant rates and combating gerrymandering of voting districts.

Let this fact not be forgotten: Prop 2 received 365,107 votes, which was 3,500 more than cast for Governor Brad Little in his race. Clearly this shows ballot initiatives have non-partisan support. Of course we know not all initiatives pass, but at least it’s our process for making a proposal for voters to consider. This is our constitutional right for a government “by the people.”

ASAP contact Gov. Little to veto HB1159 and protect the voice of Idaho citizens: office# 208-334-2100 or email governor@gov.idaho.gov

REBECCA HOLLAND

Sandpoint