Meet Your Legislatures:
Representative Rod Furniss
RFurniss@house.idaho.gov
District 31
House Seat B
Home (208) 589-1100
Statehouse (208) 332-1056 (Session Only)
Insurance Sales/Land Developer
Committees:
Environment, Energy & Technology – Vice Chair
Appropriations
Business
Representative Jerald Raymond
JRaymond@house.idaho.gov
District 31
House Seat A
Home (208) 317-8777
Statehouse (208) 332-1183 (Session Only)
Rancher/Livestock Consultant
Committees:
Agricultural Affairs – Vice Chair
Resources & Conservation
Revenue & Taxation
Senator Van Burtenshaw
VBurtenshaw@senate.idaho.gov
District 31
Home (208) 663-4607
Statehouse (208) 332-1342 (Session Only)
Farmer/Rancher
Committees:
Resources & Environment – Chair
Finance
Bills of Interest During 2023 Legislative Session
Thoughts: It is expensive for the counties to run elections. A school district can run bonds and levies over and over again with no restrictions. Even though voters have voted it down multiple times. Historically School districts will use these dates to pass what failed because voters tend to be less engaged.
Rod Furniss
Voted: Yes
Jerald Raymond
Voted: No (Same as Democrats)
Summery: House Bill 293 would change the way state board of education members are elected instead of appointed. Would also make board member representative of geographic area though out the state.
Vote: bill failed the house by one vote.
Note of Interest: Consequences of this bill NOT passing is already been felt in Idaho. In June, of this year, Idaho’s Attorney General Raul Labrador felt the need to issue a lawsuit against Idaho State Board for the $685,000,000.00 closed door, purchase of the University of Phoenix deal. The Board who was appointed, NOT elected, did NOT let the public know of their spending $685,000,000.00 of taxpayers money.
“An open and honest government is fundamental to a free society.” – Beth Cahill
Rod Furniss
Voted: No
Jerald Raymond
Voted: No
Bill Summary: Read it yourself, Educate yourself, YOU’RE not stupid as some elected leaders want you to be.
Note of Interest: When is it the RIGHT time to protect kids. HB 314 made it through Committee, then through the house, then into Senate Committee, then passed in Senate and sent to the Governor. It passed through all the loops and all the checking. How, all of a sudden, did it become a “bad bill”? You’re smart, do your OWN research, this is about the children.
Rod Furniss
Voted: No
Jerald Raymond
Voted: No
Van Burtenshaw
Voted: Yes
Summary: Spending $120,000,000 on Idaho Launch Grant Program. Gives eligible students up to $8,500 if they attend a trade school. BUT, preference will be given to students pursuing jobs that an APPOINTED counsel deems approved and appropriate.
Thought: So when does it end for us tax payers? Where is the line? This legislative session, Idaho Legislators increased state funding for public schools by $378.5 million dollars. Yet our students ISAT scores keep dropping. What are we tax payers responsible for? Because our tax money, as of now, is NOT helping students with CORE education. Without CORE education how can anyone expect to succeed in ANY field. Yet our legislators granted more of OUR money to SELECTED trades. How are these student going to secede? Do they just want good little slaves that pay their taxes?
Rod Furniss
Voted: Yes
Jerald Raymond
Voted: Yes
Van Burtenshaw
Voted: Yes
Summary- This is a SENATE joint memo not a “bill”. The memo asked President Biden to grant AMESTY to ILLEGAL immigrants.
Comments: You want to come to this county and make a better life for yourself, AWESOME. We open our arms and welcome you. This is America, the melting pot of the world. But, NO ONE should get a free pass. ALL newcomers should be excited and willingly join the process of naturalization.
Van Burtenshaw
Voted: Yes