Idaho budget committee votes to cut funding for child care, family supports Programs were expected to maintain child care wages, reduce risk of child abuse

By Audrey Dutton Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho lawmakers on Feb. 27 removed about $38 million from state budgets for the coming year that would have gone to child care providers and to efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee of the Idaho Legislature voted to approve several of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s budgets after making the cuts. The budgets now go before the House and Senate with “do pass” recommendations.

Cuts to Idaho child care assistance

The committee voted 17-2 to pass a budget without the child care stabilization grant. The $36 million grant from the federal American Recovery Plan Act would have gone to Idaho child care providers between July and September.

Those grants are designated for “access to reliable, high-quality and affordable child care” via one-time cash grants to “help child care providers stay in business,” according to the budget request.

About 3,600 child care providers in Idaho have used the grants to boost wages of child care staff, according to Emily Allen, outreach and policy associate for Idaho Voices for Children.

The funding also supports child care subsidies for low-income families, according to the budget request.

“This is going to devastate a lot of child care providers and a lot of working families at a time when things are just getting back up and running,” Allen said.

Democratic members of

JFAC from Boise — Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking and Rep. Colin Nash, both of Boise — voted against the revised budget. All other members of JFAC, except for an absent/excused Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, voted in favor of the budget.

[Editor’s note: Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, serves on JFAC and joined fellow Republicans in voting for the funding cut.]

Another $43.1 million to fund child care stabilization grants from March through July has yet to be voted on by JFAC. That also comes from federal ARPA funds and has already been sent to Idaho for distribution. However, child care providers across the state fear that it, too, will be axed by the Legislature, said Allen, who said she has heard there’s not enough will to take it up in JFAC.

Child care providers knew the ARPA funds would come to an end; they just didn’t expect it to happen so soon, Allen said.

Without the funding assistance, they expect “to need to increase tuition rates, like, immediately” if they want to keep their employees, she said.

Parents leaving the workforce because of unaffordable child care would affect the economy, she said.

“Working families … don’t have a lot of budget wiggle room at this point,” she said.

In an emailed statement to the Idaho Capital Sun after the vote, Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Press Secretary Madison Hardy said the governor “recognizes that access to affordable, reliable child care benefits Idaho families and the state’s economy while providing stability in today’s volatile workforce.”

“As Idahoans continue to feel the effects of historic inflation, continued inability to access childcare services could significantly impact new parents’ ability to reenter the workforce and financially support their growing families,” Hardy said.

Cuts to family support in wake of abortion ban

The committee on Feb. 27 also passed a budget without $2 million to support and educate families that are at risk of ending up in the child welfare system.

It was among Little’s budget priorities for the year. His administration said it would support “evidence-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs” and offer parenting resources.

Examples of that support included training on adverse childhood experiences, a cluster of experiences that can hinder a child’s healthy development and lead to ongoing problems throughout their life.

Last June, Little applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade — a decision that triggered Idaho’s near-total ban on abortions.

“However, we fully acknowledge this monumental moment in our country’s history means we must confront what we know will be growing needs for women and families in the months and years ahead,” Little said in the June statement responding to the Supreme Court decision.

“We absolutely must come together like never before to support women and teens facing unexpected or unwanted pregnancies,” he said. “Families, churches, charities, and local and state government must stand ready to lift them up and help them and their families with access to adoption services, health care, financial and food assistance, counseling and treatment, and family planning.

“We are being called to support women and our fellow community members in extraordinary new ways, and I’m confident Idahoans are ready to meet this responsibility with love and compassion,” Little added in June.

The revised child welfare budget without that $2 million passed through JFAC unanimously.

Hardy responded to the budget committee’s decision, saying the governor “has worked with legislators, the medical community and the pro-life community to address” the need for more support to keep at-risk families from entering the child welfare system.

“He trusts that the Idaho Legislature will put forward alternative solutions that support the needs of Idaho women and our communities,” Hardy wrote.

This story was produced by Boise-based nonprofit news outlet the Idaho Capital Sun, which is part of the States Newsroom nationwide reporting project. For more information, visit idahocapitalsun.com.

Bouquets:

•I appreciate it when people show a bit of decency when out on the roads. I was stopped waiting for a train on North Boyer and, after the gates lifted, a long line of cars was moving south, leaving another long line of cars waiting to turn onto Boyer from Baldy. I’ve been there before — it takes a while for the backed-up traffic to clear so you can actually turn. One guy in a white truck on Boyer stopped and waved through about five of the waiting cars on Baldy, and I saw the relief on all their faces. It always makes me feel like we’re in this together when someone recognizes that a simple action on their part can make a big difference for someone else. Empathy is a beautiful thing, especially in a world that seems to be devoid of it.

Barbs:

• I was disappointed to see that both of our state representatives voted in favor of House Bill 124, which removed student IDs from among the types of identification accepted to vote at Idaho polls. Both Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, and Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, voted along party lines to pass the bill on to the Senate. The bill is yet another attempt for Idaho Republicans to make voting more difficult for citizens. If it passes, this means you can vote with a concealed carry permit, but not a student ID. That shows our priorities here in Idaho. It’s worth noting that the impetus for this bill — and dozens of others around the nation — is the yearslong effort mounted by former-President Donald Trump and his sycophants to convince the rest of the country that there was and is widespread election fraud. Scores of court cases have proven there is no truth to those claims, but Republicans continue passing voter suppression bills so they can remain in power — even in supermajority states like Idaho.

Driving to distraction…

Dear editor,

Most bills now do little but distract voters from the real work legislators are elected to do.

The education voucher bill, just advanced out of the Education Committee to the Idaho Senate floor, will cut into money passed into law during a special session called by Gov. Brad Little a few short months ago. The money was intended for public schools, and the voucher bills want to fund private schools. The special-session law was a last-minute scramble to compromise with a citizen’s initiative proposed to fund public schools.

The majority of voters wanted that bill to fund public schools and the Legislature knew it and so they passed Little’s bill.

Last week, almost twice as many Idahoans testified against the voucher bill as were in favor.

The main effect of the bill is to distract voters, and instead focus our attention on a divisive issue and propose an answer that will divide us even more.

To get the Legislature to address our needs and be able to compromise, we have to vote for people who are likely to do so.

Just a reminder: Don’t get distracted. Keep signing and voting for citizens initiatives. It works. That’s how we got Medicaid expansion and public school funding.

Nancy Gerth Sagle

Getting the ‘perma-grin’ going…

Dear editor, I really enjoyed reading Sandy Compton’s story about his experience learning to ski [Back of the Book, “A Few Thoughts… On achieving perma-grin,” Feb. 9, 2023]. Learning to ski as an adult is not easy. He points out the gear and the skis he used made it even more challenging to learn.

Today we have shaped skis and fabulous gear to wear. Sandy most likely learned to do Stem Christies, which I cannot even imagine doing.

I too learned as an adult; in fact I was 52 years old. I am not sure what kept me going, as it took me forever to feel in control and to keep from falling. I had the perma-frown. The perseverance pays off though.

Once you can figure out how to link some turns and experience a bit of speed you are hooked. There is nothing in the world like it.

What would I recommend for beginners? Well, as Sandy points out, taking lessons is paramount. I suggest a series so one gets fully committed to the task. Find a group that is at your own level. Do not ski with a spouse or friends that are experienced and aggressive; they will likely get you into trouble on the hill. You may even quit after the experience.

Schweitzer has some great opportunities for learning, and they take care of runs to keep them groomed and ready for beginners and intermediates. Once you master the blue runs you can even ski a groomed black at Schweitzer.

It’s a great way to become part of the community and meet new people who have the perma-grin going.

Chris Kraisler Sandpoint

Dear editor,

It’s interesting that only three of eight jurors for the downtown design competition are from Sandpoint. The remaining five — primarily from Portland, Ore. — may have relevant experience, but do they have a deep understanding of local conditions or adequate knowledge of the myriad master plans that have already been completed?

In order for locals to have buy-in of projects affecting their future, one would think the city administration would want local participation and leadership in the selection of those who will design Sandpoint’s future infrastructure. One gets the feeling that the city administration considers locals unknowledgeable and not worthy of guiding their future. In my experience with selection committees, I cannot recall one instance where a committee member was not from Sandpoint. There appears to be a pattern with the administration of hiring staff employees, contractors and design professionals from outside of the area. I hope the elected City Council will not blindly accept what is offered them by the administration, and I am hopeful they question the recommendations coming from these unelected officials. I’m also hopeful that council will choose to involve more Sandpoint citizens in the selection of the downtown design professionals. I recommend that council members involve their own local contacts to gain input on what a selection committee should look like.

There have been many master plans developed in the recent past for City Beach, the downtown waterfront, downtown revitalization, transportation, water, wastewater, the Little Sand Creek Watershed, etc. Each has a lifespan that should be followed. I’m not sure what value a new global master plan will accomplish that cannot be accomplished by following through on existing plans. Council could save a considerable sum by utilizing plans already developed.

Sandpoint has many talented and qualified professionals. I urge council to encourage and utilize their expertise.

Kody van Dyk Retired Sandpoint Public Works director Sandpoint

Thanks for a successful Toys for Tots…

Dear editor,

The Sandpoint Lions Club would like to convey their deepest gratitude to the amazing Sandpoint community for helping us make the 2022 Toys for Tots program a huge success! With your help, we were able to provide special gifts to 818 children throughout Bonner County.

This year was a test to our hearts. Hearing the many stories of families losing loved ones, jobs and housing drove home the deep sense of loss our community has experienced during this past holiday season. Since the COVID pandemic began, the holiday season has become a hardship for many families. We are proud of our ability to provide help to those in need and we cannot contribute to the prosperity of our community without your generous donations, especially the volunteer time.

Throughout the year, the Sandpoint Lions Club continues to help our community maintain the small-town feeling that is Sandpoint. We serve our area by creating and hosting several events for our community, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lakeview Park, the Sandpoint Fourth of July celebration parade and fireworks display at City Beach, the Halloween Maze and a monthly bingo night. We also provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to those in need.

We are incredibly proud to serve our community. With your help and support, we will continue to serve our community for years to come.

With our sincere thank you,

Janice Rader President,

on behalf of Sandpoint Lions Club

Dear editor,

I am curious to know the names of current members of the Bonner County Planning Commission. I’ve looked at sites online that show different lists; including different member names. As a public service, could the Reader determine and publish the names of the current members of the Planning Commission, along with their professions and qualifications to serve on the Planning Commission?

While you’re at it, do the same for members of the Bonner County Zoning Commission. Then please explain the difference between the two commissions and why Bonner County has two such commissions.

My experience has been that planning and zoning usually go together. I know you’ve addressed some of this in earlier issues but would appreciate a follow-up. I and others have concerns about the integrity of these two commissions and whether or not one knows what the other has decided upon, or who comes first in the decision making process.

Members of these two commissions, for better or worse, have a lot to do with the eventual growth and development of Bonner County. Eyes should be upon them and their actions routinely questioned.

The Planning Commission is currently addressing an application for a proposed commercial development and dense housing on one-acre parcels in an R-5 Rural Residential Zone. The development plan is contrary to the Comprehensive Plan. It should not be approved. Eyes open!?

George Loustalet

Priest River

Editor’s Note: The names and contact information of the current Bonner County Planning Commission include: Don Davis (don. davis@bonnercountyid.gov), Dave Frankenbach (dave.frankenback@ bonnercountyid.gov), Michael Leita (michael.leita@bonnercountyid.gov), Matt Linscott (matt.linscott@bonnercountyid.gov), Allan Songstad (allan.songstad@bonnercountyid. gov) and Deby Trinen (deby.trinen@ bonnercountyid.gov).

Zoning Commission members are: Robert Clark (robert.clark@ bonnercountyid.gov), Jacob Marble (jacob.marble@bonnercountyid.gov), Frank Wakeley (frank.wakeley@bonnercountyid.gov) and Luke Webster (luke.webster@bonnercountyid.gov).