Letters to the editor: Marsy’s Law, global health, mandatory masks, oversight

Marsy’s Law

A June 7 story in the Idaho Statesman reported how the Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole has granted more parole releases during the Coronavirus crisis. Figures reported by the newspaper show 407 paroles were granted in January and February, compared to 579 during March and April.

We at Marsy’s Law for Idaho understand decisions must be made to manage the spread of the virus and protect health of inmates and staff at state prisons and county jails. We are not criticizing the decision to review and approve more parole requests.

We are asking, however, that Idaho corrections officials honor the constitutional rights of the victims that have been harmed by these offenders. Specifically, we refer to the constitutional right to prior notification of parole hearings and release decisions.

As we all adjust to the pandemic, let us not forget our legal and moral obligations to protect crime victims.

Jacob Cluff, Boise, state director, Marsy’s Law for Idaho

Global health

We all know the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I still have a hard time believing the enormous impact that this has had on everyday life. Many of us might think that there was nothing we could do to stop this outbreak. This is not entirely true though.

There is a bill that is in the Senate currently called The Global Health Security Act. This bill was introduced because some members of Congress believed that we should be ready for pandemics and epidemics. This bill makes the US more prepared to handle infectious disease outbreaks. This bill, which was introduced before the COVID-19 outbreak, could have prevented much of the suffering that Idaho is still feeling.

I urge both Senator Risch and Senator Crapo to co-sponsor this bill in the Senate. As our state continues to suffer new cases of COVID-19, please remember that the Global Health Security Act is something necessary for the US and Idaho. Pandemics do not have borders.

Daina Nicole Stinnett, Hailey

Mandatory masks

Govenor Little, Our infection rate is increasing dramatically. Science shows wearing a mask cuts the infection rate 6-fold yet people who are obviously unconcerned about the welfare of others go mask-less in our grocery stores. The selfishness of these people is appalling. The only remedy is to make it mandatory to wear masks in grocery stores. If they refuse, then service is refused. You (yes, you) need to make this an enforceable rule in Idaho.

No mask, no service.

David Walthall, Nampa

Oversight

The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act bill; Senators Crapo and Risch voted against it. The newspaper reported that Senator Crapo voted against it because the “…funding is mandatory and that would ‘remove Congress’ oversight ability.…” Senator Risch also stated his opposition to the bill is due to concerns about “…creating a permanent program and no ability for oversight…” Very noble grounds to refuse to vote for a bill. We all agree that congressional oversight for spending taxpayer dollars is important and necessary.

So if oversight is so important to Senators Risch and Crapo, where are their voices to require oversight of the billions of dollars in spending for the CARES Act? Taxpayer money is being used to help businesses through the Covid 19 crisis, yet the Administration is fighting congressional attempts to conduct oversight and has failed to produce records of where the money is going.

Please Senators Risch and Crapo: Demand oversight for the billions of dollars that has been provided and is still being provided to assist businesses. It is your congressional responsibility to conduct oversight. Where has the money gone? Your silence is deafening and the hypocrisy is glaring.

Chris Stokes, Eagle