What gives Idaho state legislator the right to dictate which city celebrations? | Opinion

Rep. Monks

Idaho Rep. Jason Monks says that as a state representative, he must do everything in his power to prevent Boise from using tax dollars to support the Boise Pride Festival, although he doesn’t state opposition to Meridian’s using tax dollars to support “Meridian Dairy Days,” nor Nampa’s tax dollars supporting “God and Country Days,” nor other communities throughout Idaho supporting special community events. When did it become acceptable conduct for any legislator to override locally elected city council and mayor’s decisions as to which events meet local standards? Is Mr. Monks a self-appointed committee of one to approve/disapprove of each of Idaho’s communities special events, or will he convene a special legislative committee for that task? Or could it be that Monks is just a homophobic bigot who is abusing his position as a legislator to diminish Idaho’s LGBTQ+ citizens?

Who are these LGBTQ+ people anyway, and why does Monks think he is any better than any of them? They have lived among us throughout the ages, now working in our banks, insurance agencies, automotive shops, stores and government agencies. They are our relatives, loved ones, church family and neighbors, paying taxes that unfortunately go to Monks’ salary.

Tom Newton, Caldwell

Party purity

I am a Democrat registered as a Republican. While I find the Democratic Party more aligned with my political views, I am also a realist. Republicans outnumber Democrats in this state, and if I have any hope of having a say in my state politics, I need to be able to choose to vote for a Republican candidate. And yes, it will probably be a moderate rather than an extremist. Obviously there are more Republicans who voted as I did when you look at who the winners were this last election. I have the advantage of also being able to vote for Democratic or independent candidates in the end, since only the primaries are closed. Now some legislators want to take away my right to vote for Republicans if I have dared to vote for non-Republicans in the last 25 months. Seems like government overreach to me. Isn’t my voting record private? And why do certain positions, such as coroner, require a political affiliation? Surely it is immaterial to the job.

If legislators want to make any changes to voting in Idaho, they should focus on making it easier, not add unnecessary obstacles.

Lori Poublon Ramirez, Meridian

Cancer

Like most of us this time of year, Congress has a lengthy must-do list, and at the top of that list should be passing policies to save more lives from cancer and improve patient care for those who are diagnosed with the disease.

As a cancer researcher and cancer advocate, I want Congress to pass critical legislation increasing federal funding for cancer research and prevention, creating a pathway for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection tests once they’re FDA approved and clinical benefit is shown, and improving patient quality of life across all stages of the disease by expanding access to palliative care.

This must-do list is not a wish list. These policies are all essential, proven ways Congress can positively impact the lives of millions of American cancer patients, survivors and their families this year and for years to come.

There are few lists more important than this one and the end of the year the best time to get things done. I urge Sen. Mike Crapo to work with his colleagues to ensure these important cancer policies get passed in any final year-end legislation.

Cody Wolf, Boise, volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Jan. 6

This is a letter that I sent to our senators.

I am sure that you have heard that the Jan. 6 commission has recommended, after extensive investigations, that Trump be held accountable for his part in inciting an insurrection. Please don’t tell me that this was a partisan investigation. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are both Republicans. They sacrificed their careers in order to get to the truth. The representatives that the GOP put forth to be on the committee supported “The Big Lie” and therefore should not have been on the committee. Trump tried to overthrow our democracy and still has members of Congress who support him. I recall, when Nixon was being impeached, the Republicans in Congress put country before party, and called for his resignation. Trump’s crimes make Nixon seem like a saint! If you truly love this country, you will push for the Department of Justice to indict Trump and put him behind bars, where he belongs. Those members of Congress who still support his lies should lose their seats. We should start the healing process. If you fail to speak out, you are enabling Trump and his supporters to continue to try to overthrow our democracy!

Michal Voloshen, Boise

Taxes

If you bought or sold a home in Ada County’s volatile real estate market in 2022, you probably have unfinished business with your buyer or seller. You may be owed (or owe) money and not even realize it.

Pro-rated property taxes at closing, based on outdated 2021 estimates and unsettled levy rates, could very likely mean what you paid, say, in advance taxes last August didn’t match the tax bill come December. In my case, I overpaid more than $1,300 in taxes on my home sale. It’s now up to me and my buyer to settle it amicably. Realtors, title companies and Ada County treasurer and assessor won’t get involved in rectifying errant tax estimates. It’s up to you.

Every buyer and seller of property in Ada County in 2022 should match closing statements with the actual tax bill to gauge the accuracy of what they paid to each other. If it happened to me, it probably happened to hundreds of other Ada County property owners.

This is the price of a crazed, unaffordable, wildly speculative Boise real estate market. For the increasing number of Boiseans who are leaving this scene, they needn’t be dunned further on their way out the door.

David Klinger, Boise