Letters: Why are you so afraid of hearing my testimony, Representative Skaug? | Opinion

I am a 16-year-old constituent who recently had her voice in our state’s government taken away.

Representative Skaug just banned Idahoans under 18 from testifying in his legislative committee.

I’m frustrated to see youth voices being silenced by the people who are supposed to represent us. Our perspectives are being removed from the conversation because we are reported to be hindering adult voices. However, young people are not preventing adults’ voices from being heard. Rather, we’re taking action and making our concerns and unique perspectives known. We are citizens exercising our right to freedom of speech. We are taxpayers, through sales taxes and payroll taxes, so we deserve the same opportunities as every other taxpayer in Idaho.

The future of Idaho lies in the hands of the youth. We should have the right to have our voices heard and direct the future we choose to pursue in our democracy. I am disappointed that my ability to speak in my government has been taken. Tell Rep. Skaug to reverse his ban on young people’s testimony.

Lucina Glynn, Boise

Public education not private indoctrination

Idaho law, 63-602B grants religious organizations property tax exemptions. Idaho’s property taxpayers already pay the property taxes not being paid by religious organizations. The approximate value of the religious property exempted in 2022 was $1.112 billion in Ada County which is about 25% of the state. Extrapolated out, the value of exempt religious property is about 4 times as large.

Extremist plans to directly siphon off public taxes for any religious education is a violation of the 1st amendment, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Diverting our tax money in any disguise is establishment. Idahoan’s rights and due process are protected under the Fourteenth Amendment because it includes individual rights listed in the Bill of Rights. Therefore, any law permitting Idaho taxes using vouchers, educational savings plans or any diversion of public funds to pay for private religious education is a violation of the First Amendment’s Religious freedom law.

Polling shows that 63% of Idahoans also oppose such diversion of public education dollars for religious indoctrination. Even the conservative Idaho School Boards Association is against the illegal idea of using public taxes for private education.

Ed Wardwell, Boise

Seen and not heard

Children should be seen but not heard, so says Representative Skaug.

“Nothing about us without us” communicates the idea that no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected. Ignoring this gags groups that are marginalized from political, social, and economic opportunities...and, in this case Idaho’s kids.

Even someone of Greta Thunberg’s status would have had a hard time getting before your committee.

A representative must be willing to represent all Idahoans. That includes those who are under 18 years old. Your decision to deny or restrict the testimony of Idaho’s young people reflects on you and makes you a sad representative of your own generation.

Gary Hanes, Boise

Balanced budget time

Republicans in Congress: you finally have the means to do what you say you want done. You can finally produce your long-sought balanced budget.

You have the knowledge and the means to write a balanced budget for America. Do it. Bring it to the floor. You have the votes. Pass it. Dare the President to veto it.

If you’re right, the American people will cheer you on. Your congressional majority will be assured for decades to come.

The time for complaining about Democrats is over. It’s time to deliver.

If you’re really serious about doing it.

Or are you just making noise?

George Moses, Boise

ESAs are vouchers

I have lived in Idaho for sixty years. I have watched school bonds fail to be passed in maybe 25 elections.. I have listened to people rage about the inadequacy of teachers and I have worked with teachers who must take extra jobs to make ends meet. I am witnessing Gov. Little energetically fight to move Idaho’s school system the bottom 45th of the 50 states.

Who are the parents who refuse to volunteer in their children’s schools or pass bonds to educate all children? Who are the parents who want Educational Savings Accounts that would allow them to rob Idaho’s educational budget by demanding an individual share of it? Why are some legislators determined to create these Educational Savings Accounts?

In this winter’s legislature, there are Republican members who intend to create ESA’s to empower a minority of people to pull funds from a budget meant to build educational opportunities for the whole state. This would benefit only certain families. Education should benefit the entire state population. ESA’s are actually school vouchers. Tell your legislators to vote against them. Idaho’s educational system needs to be strengthened and improved to benefit every Idahoan.

Janelle Wintersteen, Boise

Constitutional obligations

The Idaho State constitution requires a uniform free public education for all students. Highly qualified and certified teachers, support staffs, and special education personnel are available in all of our public schools, unlike many parochial and private schools. Research has frequently shown that teacher-student ratios are significantly tied to performance. Idaho schools have been underfunded for many years and rank near the bottom for per-pupil expenditure. The requirement for “uniform public education” has not occurred, resulting in many bond levies. When bonds are not passed in school districts, students suffer the consequences. If funds are diverted from public education to fund vouchers/education savings accounts, our public schools will suffer even more. Please join with me in contacting your state representatives and senators to advocate for funding public education adequately and finding ways to ensure that all districts have safe, secure, functional buildings and certified personnel to educate our students.

Leah Whiteman, Star