JANUARY REPORT
After taking some time over the holiday to refresh and celebrate the season with family and friends, the BB&A team is ready for the new year and new Legislative session. We’re guessing you are, too. The holidays offer a brief reprieve from the hurried pace of the looming session, but as we start this year, we feel ready and eager. Life for us is busy this time of year, but as the old saying goes, at some point winter will ask you what you were doing all summer. We are ready.
On Monday, the first session of the 68th Idaho Legislature gets underway. As is tradition in the Statehouse, the session is officially kicked off with the Governor’s State of the State address at 1 p.m. Based on what we’re hearing, some of the priorities and policies Gov. Little will likely highlight include changes or repeal to Launch, setting a marker for debate on education tax credits, and his budget recommendations for Medicaid and the Department of Health and Welfare. We’re also expecting the Governor to make a case for:
Additional regulatory reform.
Bolstering cybersecurity and identity protection technology to serve citizens and state agencies better.
Spending on critical infrastructure projects for broadband, roads, bridges, and water.
Policies to reign in the growing cost of wildfire season
A variety of one-time strategic investments.
On Monday, expect to get from us a summary of the Governor’s address and a link to the full version, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or if anything of interest captures your attention. The real work of the session begins on Tuesday with the first set of committee meetings and House and Senate floor sessions.
One of the things we find most interesting with our work under the dome is the way each session differs from the previous editions. This year will undoubtedly have its own identity. We’ve already pointed out the massive GOP majority, new Republican leadership, the slew of rookie lawmakers, and the tilt rightward in the makeup of both chambers. But another dynamic we’ll be watching over the next few months is the delicate balance between the House – buoyed by experienced leadership – plays out with new leaders in the Senate and the Governor’s office. Time will tell how this dynamic will shape the fate of legislation, tax and budget policy, and the priorities and issues we’ll be advocating or protecting on your behalf.
Looking back, you should know our team spent much of 2024, including all through December, getting ready for the session. We attended the annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference, where Gov. Little spoke enthusiastically about the impact the incoming Trump Administration would have on cutting federal regulations. Secretary of State Phil McGrane delivered a fascinating presentation on the impact and influence of out-of-state campaign cash in the 2024 election cycle.
We spent a lot of time attending interim committee meetings and pre-session hearings dealing with agency budgets, revenue forecasts, and upcoming rulemaking. We’ve also gotten face time with new legislators and agency heads and spent time reading some of the proposed legislation that has been submitted in recent weeks that is not yet public.
Finally, a few housekeeping items. The start of the session means we’ll be sending you reports every Friday afternoon, each with a cover letter similar to this and a list of bills we’re tracking on your behalf. Look for the first one on Jan. 10. We also want to introduce you to Cody Phelps, our new Senior Associate. Cody brings a wealth of expertise in the public health and healthcare sector, and we’re thrilled and fortunate to have him on board.
