In an effort to better answer the questions from Idahoans across the state, Boise State Public Radio hosted an "Ask Me Anything," or AMA, on R/Idaho about the 2025 legislative session.
Here's what you wanted to know.
Q: Is there going to be another push to try and implement a voucher system to take money from public schools and funnel it to private schools?
A: There will absolutely be another push on this. It’s a major priority for several members of legislative leadership, including House Speaker Mike Moyle.
The biggest question is what form it will take. Past attempts have included creating a tax credit families could apply for, setting aside money for “education savings accounts” or a straight up voucher. Keep an eye on the House Education Committee this year, which had previously blocked this type of legislation. Its new chairman supported a tax credit bill last year that eventually failed.
Q: What will the legislature do to higher education, specifically to universities in the Treasure Valley?
A: It’s a broad question, so hopefully I can cover what you’re looking for.
The Idaho State Board of Education recently passed a few new policies banning the use of “diversity, equity and inclusion ideology.” That’s resulted in the closure of several initiatives, like Boise State’s Gender Equity Center, University of Idaho’s Black Student Union, and others like them. In their place are “student success centers” that are trying to accomplish similar goals for the entire student body.
Legislative leaders just this morning said to expect more bills to be introduced over the next few months.
Will Boise State’s efforts over the past year, like preemptively closing its Gender Equity Center before the policies passed, or its volleyball team forfeiting three times to San José State University over a transgender player, take it out of the legislature’s crosshairs? We’ll have to see.
University of Idaho trying to buy University of Phoenix last year took a lot of heat off of Boise State, but the influx of so many new lawmakers adds wildcards to the mix.
Q: How much should trans people be worried?
A: I haven’t heard of anything specifically in the works, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a bill or three is introduced related to gender-affirming care for adults.
The Idaho Family Policy Center, which is the main lobbying group that’s been pushing these anti-trans bills over the last several years, seems to be more focused on requiring teachers to read Bible verses in public schools and to eliminate more diversity, equity and inclusion policies across state government.
Q: Any chance we get cannabis for medical use on the ballot, ever?
A: Seemingly not with the groups that have been trying to get the issue on the ballot over the last several elections.
Idaho law requires a bit of complicated math to get an issue on the ballot. Looks like it’ll take a little more than 66,000 signatures in total, plus you have to get a certain number of those from half of all legislative districts across the state.
You need a big ground game fulfilled by dedicated volunteers or paid signature gatherers (or a combination of both). Kind Idaho, the group behind the most recent attempt, raised $4,146 in 2023 and didn’t report any activity the entirety of last year.
State legislators have repeatedly said they will not legalize medical marijuana, let alone recreational marijuana. So unless a more motivated and/or resourced group takes the charge, it doesn’t seem likely.
Q: I saw something recently about the legislature moving to appeal Medicaid expansion. Do you know details?
A: We heard a few more details about that during our annual legislative preview this morning, but nothing concrete.
All options seem to be on the table, whether that’s a full repeal of Medicaid expansion, limiting eligibility for the program or forcing participants to meet other types of requirements, like working, volunteering, going to school, etc., to get coverage.
Gov. Brad Little said he thinks the Trump administration will be more likely to grant waivers Idaho has applied for, like implementing work requirements, that have been sitting in a desk drawer in D.C. for years. Don’t rule out new waiver applications, either.
Q: Any news or information about passenger rail?
A: That’s going to be a federal issue since it involves interstate travel.
No new news that I’ve heard, but Valley Regional Transit’s CEO, Elaine Clegg, was just confirmed to serve on Amtrak’s board of directors late last month. She’s specifically advocated to return passenger rail service to places like Boise and other western locations and plans to do so throughout her term.
Q: What is the main goal for this congress this year ?
A: If you’re talking about the state legislature, there are so many.
What we’ve been told by Republican legislative leaders is they’re going to push for further tax cuts — specifically to state income, sales and property taxes. Then you have a big push toward passing something that would use taxpayer money to fund private education.
Q: 0-10 probability of a local options tax bill
A: Uhhh… 0.5? I don’t like to say never because I’m not in on the backroom discussions, but it’s a very unpopular issue among most Republicans.
Idaho is a very tax-sensitive state and few things burn with the fiery passions of a million exploding suns like tax hikes, even if the majority of the community votes in favor of it. Why open yourself up to taking more heat from constituents?
Pure speculation here, but the only way I could see it happening is if they put certain requirements to pass a local option tax like having a two-thirds majority to pass one and/or only allowing these issues to appear on a general election ballot to ensure the highest turnout possible. Even then it seems DOA.
Q: What is the biggest piece of legislation you expect to come out of the session this year?
A: There are always dark horse bills that seemingly come out of nowhere.
Setting those aside and taking your question literally, I’d guess the bill with the biggest page count would be whatever tax cut package they throw together. Those suckers are thicc.
Consequentially? Definitely the tax package since any changes to the sales tax would affect everyone in the state who buys something. Most people pay state income taxes and a lot of people pay property taxes. The honorable mention goes to any potential private school tuition subsidy that might pass since we’ve got a lot of school-aged kids in Idaho.
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