The Idaho Way: Legislator’s comparison of cows and women’s reproductive health care
By Scott McIntosh, opinion editor
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Every session of the Idaho Legislature, we can expect a Republican legislator to say something embarrassing that makes Idaho a laughingstock of the nation, like when Rep. Charlie Shepherd, R-Pollock, argued against an early literacy grant that “makes it easier or more convenient for mothers to come out of the home and let others raise their child.”
Or when Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, suggested that women could swallow a camera to check on their pregnancy.
But usually we have to wait a couple of weeks for a legislator to say something like that.
Not this session.
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Barely two days into the new session, Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, uttered some strange words of “wisdom” in a committee hearing.
“I’ve milked a few cows, spent most of my time walking behind lines of cows, so if you want some ideas on repro and the women’s health thing, I have some definite opinions,” said Nelsen, who was a partner in a dairy and farming operation in Jerome for 45 years.
Not only were his comments offensive and embarrassing, they were odd, given that he was simply introducing himself to the House Agriculture Committee. This was how he chose to introduce himself, by comparing women’s health care with milking a cow?
After making his comments, Nelsen gave a chuckle, as if it were a laughing matter.
It’s not.
Read our full editorial here on why this isn’t a laughing matter.
Idaho senator’s deplorable behavior
Newly elected Idaho state Sen. Chris Trakel, R-Caldwell, displayed deplorable, belligerent behavior, yelled at volunteer school board members and tried to leverage his position as a state legislator to get his way at a Caldwell school board meeting this week.
As reported by Idaho Education News, an unruly audience volleyed insults and threats at Caldwell school board members on Monday night over a potential policy that, among other things, would allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms aligning with their gender identity and protect students from being denied participation in overnight trips due to their sexual orientation.
Read our full editorial here on why this is the wrong way to handle policy debate.
Indiana’s experience with school vouchers
The debate over school vouchers this legislative session very well could be “the most important debate we have had since statehood,” predicts Rod Gramer, executive director of Idaho Business for Education. So what’s the experience been of other states that have already approved school vouchers, such as Indiana? Not great, according to Chris Lagoni, executive director of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association, who detailed his state’s history with school vouchers during a legislative preview Monday hosted by Idaho Business for Education.
Read my full column here on why Idaho should learn lessons from Indiana.
Governor doubles down on public education
Speaking of public education, Idaho Gov. Brad Little gave his State of the State address this week, and one of the main themes was public education. Emphasis on the word “public.”
Will his commitment be enough to stop the school voucher freight train rolling through Idaho? Let’s hope so.
Labrador drops charges
Raúl Labrador’s electoral opponents warned us during the primary that if he was elected Idaho’s next attorney general, he would put partisan politics ahead of the law, writes opinion writer Bryan Clark.
It took him only a few days in office to prove them right. Labrador issued his first press release about a case the Office of the Attorney General was involved with. He would drop misdemeanor charges against political ally Sara Walton Brady, who was charged with trespassing for defying anti-COVID health measures in 2020.
There was only one reason for charges against Walton Brady to be dropped: She is a political ally and a rallying point for the far-right Republicans during the pandemic era in Idaho.
Read Bryan’s full column here on Labrador’s decision.
Capitol Letters is back
The daily Capitol Letters newsletter is back now that the Idaho Legislature is back in session. Idaho Statesman reporter Ryan Suppe and politics editor Hayat Norimine have you covered, keeping you updated on each day’s happenings and what to expect for the upcoming day.
Plus, I throw in our astute politics observations and opinions on a daily basis.
To sign up to receive Capitol Letters, click here.
I’m listening
Send me your story ideas, news tips, questions, comments, or anything else on your mind. You can reach me via email at smcintosh@idahostatesman.com.
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What you’re saying
This week, we received letters to the editor on rules being considered by the Idaho Republican Party, the importance of public education and a thank you from outgoing Ada County Assessor Bob McQuade. You can read these and more letters by clicking here.
You can submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion by clicking here.
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