Idaho’s congressmen have no interest in upsetting status quo | Opinion

Congressmen

As part of Idaho 50501, I met with staffers for Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Rep. Russ Fulcher. They have no desire to do anything to upset the status quo they enjoy. It’s perfectly fine rural food banks are hurting badly, American citizens are being denied due process and people getting ready to fight fires are being arrested for immigration violations.

There are a lot of bad things going on right now, but it is ridiculously pathetic that one of our representatives seems to went to suck up to the POTUS so badly, he inserted an amendment to rename part of the Kennedy Center after Melania.

Crapo and Risch say they met with people all over Idaho during the August recess. Really? You hid away in high dollar donor meals and town halls packed with friendly people because answering a hard question is not something Senators are capable of.

These are not the actions of serious people intent on governing seriously. These are the acts of aging and irrelevant politicians doing whatever they can to stay in the good graces of their new king. Idaho deserves better than that.

Christopher Ross, Eagle

A woman’s right to choose

I recently learned that Idaho voters are gathering signatures in order to restore a woman’s right to choose. After giving successful birth to two children, my niece learned that she was pregnant and that her third child had only ½ half a brain. She decided to abort it and does not live in Idaho. If she lived here in Idaho she would have been forced to carry the child to term, deliver it, and care for it for the remainder of his/her life. I can’t imagine the mental, physical, and emotional trauma she would have had to endure for the rest of her life.

I am outraged that the government has passed such a law to control my reproductive health.

If interested in learning more about this ballot initiative, called The Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, please support Idahoans United for Women and Families and go to “iduwf.org” to find an event in your area TO SIGN THIS PETITION to get it on the ballot for November 2026 and let the VOTERS decide.

Kathy Richmond, McCall

Idaho budget

Idaho’s budget is a mess, and no one should be surprised. Families across the state are about to the lose services we all depend on because of reckless decisions made at the Statehouse. Lawmakers spent big, ignored warnings, and now we face an $80 million deficit and mid-year cuts to healthcare, law enforcement, schools, and roads. That means fewer teachers, fewer cops, and more potholes.

Last year’s tax giveaways for the wealthy and a school voucher scheme no one asked for helped dig this hole. Gov. Brad Little’s office got 37,457 calls and emails about House Bill 93, and 32,366 said “veto this.” Only 5,091 supported it—86% opposed it. The Governor signed it anyway.

Now state agencies face 3% cuts, except K–12 schools, supposedly to prepare for Trump’s new budget. But Idaho’s economy is about to circle the drain. Universities alone will lose millions, making it harder to build a local workforce for companies like Micron.

This was avoidable. Idaho families are paying more and getting less, much less. Repealing the $50 million voucher scheme would be a good start. Idaho needs leaders willing to be fiscally responsible — right now, we don’t have them.

Dawn Pierce, Boise

Dams

Idaho Senators Kelly Anthon and Ben Toews recently claimed, “on the issue of dam removal, the people of Idaho speak with one voice: The dams must stay.” As Idahoans, we want to be clear: that is false.

Salmon are an essential part of Idaho’s identity. From the Nez Perce Tribe’s decades of leadership to youth-led groups like the Youth Salmon Protectors, there is a growing movement of Idahoans who know that a free-flowing Snake River is critical for salmon, orcas, and our future.

Sen. Lori Den Hartog said, “This is not just a policy debate — it is about protecting the livelihood of Idahoans. We cannot allow environmental politics to override science, sovereignty, and the well-being of our citizens.” We agree that this is not just a policy debate, but the science is clear. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that “the science robustly supports” lower Snake River dam removal.

Idaho’s youth understand the urgency. With over 2,000 young people and 25 chapters across the Northwest, we are organizing for dam removal and salmon recovery. We are proof that Idahoans do not speak with “one voice.” Our voice for salmon is diverse, determined, and growing.

Lilly Wilson, Boise

Absentee voting

Want to make your life easier? Consider absentee voting. Voters in Idaho have the option of requesting absentee ballots for every election. Requesting an absentee (mail-in ballot) is smart and easy. The ballot comes to you in the mail about a month before the election. You’ll never miss an election, and you have time to research the candidates and issues in the comfort of your own home.

Many of us enjoy the ritual of voting in person. If you request an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person, you can! The poll worker will just spoil the absentee ballot and hand you a new one. You may have heard President Trump wants to do away with mail-in voting but it’s still a safe, secure and legal way to vote in Idaho. Make sure you never miss an election by requesting absentee ballots each year at VoteIdaho.gov.

Kayla Dodson, Boise