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Volume 24
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Boise, Idaho
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Ultrasound bill shot down Kimberley O’Bryan Senior Journalist
Registration dates should be determined by class standing only.
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The Idaho ultrasound mandate, Senate Bill (SB) 1387 was shot down despite a pro-life rally of 150 people at the Capitol attempting to salvage it. SB 1387, which passed the Idaho Senate 23-12 on March 19, stated women seeking an abortion, regardless of their or their doctor’s wishes, must first obtain an ultrasound. “It was a terrible policy for women because politicians should not be making decisions that are best left up to a woman and her doctor,” said Sara Kiesler, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest in an email to The Arbiter. After the win in the Senate, it looked as if this bill would pass in the House, leaving it on Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s desk. But a March 21 closed-door caucus ended in the cancellation of Thursday morning’s hearing on the bill. “Basically, I’m listening to constituents and they aren’t just Democrats,” Rep. Lynn Luker (R-15A) of Boise
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The bill would have required women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound. said. The bill was finally killed on Tuesday. House State Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher (R) said the bill had legal issues and advised its advocates to try again next year. “What we’re seeing is that the women in our community, in our state, are standing up and saying ‘This bill is not promoting equal rights,’ ” said Jess Caldwell-
O’Keefe of the Boise State Women’s Center. In a press release, Right to Life of Idaho President Jason Herring said they would tackle the bill again next year because it “protects a woman’s right to view and a child’s right to be seen.” Some students agree with the pro-life arguments. Danielle Lyon, a third year theater performance major, acknowledges the pro-life point.
“If women are informed of the possible risks abortion may have on their body, the details of the procedure performed, and receive a thorough medical exam to ensure health, they are better equipped to make the safest decision,” Lyon said. Despite a push for women’s safety, SB 1387 gave no pass on the ultrasound to women who had been the victims of rape or incest or needed an abortion for a
medical emergency. In fact, Chuck Winder, who sponsored the bill said, “I would hope that when a woman goes in to a physician with a rape issue, that physician will indeed ask her about perhaps her marriage, was this pregnancy caused by normal relations in a marriage or was it truly caused by a rape,” according to the Huffington Post. Winder was criticized heavily for this allusion to women possibly lying about rape in order to receive an abortion. He later apologized for his statement. Abortions are typically done in the very early stages of pregnancy, so if this bill had passed, women would have had to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. According to Medline Plus, for a woman to undergo this procedure she would lie on her back with her feet in stirrups while the health care provider moved a probe inside her vagina. “SB 1387 had nothing to do with women’s health and everything to do with shaming and demeaning women who seek safe and legal medical services,” Kiesler said.
2012 Legislature adjourns after 81 days Christina Marfice Journalist
What do you think of the controversial campaign?
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The Idaho Legislature adjourned Thursday evening after a 2012 session that lasted 81 days. “The Legislature got it right this year,” Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter said. “I think it was a great session.” In a press conference held in his office Friday morning, Otter highlighted some of the key
successes from the 2012 session, including three bills passed on Thursday to address the appropriation of more than $100 million in surplus money. A total of $35 million went to backfilling teachers’ salaries after several years of cuts to education funding. That money will also fully fund last year’s “Students Come First” education reform. Another $35 million will be used for tax credits, lowering the
individual and corporate income tax rates to 7.4 percent and making Idaho more attractive to outof-state businesses, according to the governor. “It sends a good psychological signal that we understand what businesses have to have in order to operate in Idaho,” Otter said. “We hope new businesses will take a look at that and say Idaho is the place to go.” The remaining $35 million will
be placed in Idaho’s “rainy-day” savings accounts, replacing some of the money that was drained from those accounts during the last several years’ economic recession. The Legislature made some other moves this session that had people talking. In case you missed anything, here’s the good, the bad and the just plain ugly of the 2012 session.
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The Arbiter
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Independent Ethics: The Legislature missed an oppor- bullying tunity to create an independent committee for investigating ethics complaints. The idea failed. Republican lawmakers said this will protect Legislators in cases of frivolous complaints; however, many are concerned that this undermines the public’s right to know when complaints arise. Cigarette Tax: A cigarette tax increase of $1.25 per pack was meant to discourage new and current smokers and offset taxpayer-funded Medicaid costs. However, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted to kill the proposal before it was even drafted. Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis said: “This is the most blatant case of social engineering I have ever seen.” Internet Sales Tax: A bill designed to collect Idaho’s 6 percent sales tax on purchases made online failed in a tied vote. Idahoans are already required to report and pay sales tax to the state when making online purchases, but few do. The bill would have streamlined the process of collecting the sales tax. Wind Moratorium: A bill forcing a two-year break in the issuing of permits to construct wind farms failed in the House. Lawmakers in favor wanted two years to examine wind energy’s overall effect on the state and whether subsidized wind is a cost-effective way of independent producing electricity in Idaho. ethics
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Concussion Bill: Idaho national schools are now required to develop guidelines for gaurd pulling student athletes from games following possible head injuries. This bill has the potential to protect young athletes from dangerous concussions. Texting While Driving: Texting while driving is now illegal in Idaho. Violators may be fined up to $85. After failing in 2010 and 2011, the bill allows Idaho to join the 35 states that have laws prohibiting handheld devices while behind the wheel. Animal Cruelty: The Senate passed Idaho’s first felony animal cruelty law, allowing Idaho to join 48 other states imposing tough penalties for the mistreatment of animals. Idaho National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: The program for teen dropouts provides an opportunity for youth to complete secondary education in a structured setting, giving them a second chance at a successful future. It is also expected to create as many as 50 new jobs for the state. Suicide Hotline: The Legislature granted $110,000 in start-up funding for a suicide prevention hotline. Idaho is currently the only state without a hotline. E-Cigarettes: Lawmakers prohibited the sale of electronic cigarettes to underage buyers.
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The Good
The Ugly Anti-Bullying Laws: New, strict anti-bullying laws passed in the Senate during this year’s legislative session, but were stopped cold in the House Education Committee, where lawmakers claimed schools are already wellequipped to deal with bullying, and don’t need state laws. The bill would have criminalized bullying that takes place off school grounds, including via the internet and electronic devices. Add The Words: In less than 10 minutes, the Senate State Affairs Committee killed this measure, backed by a grassroots movement hoping to gain protection from discrimination for Idaho’s LGBT community by adding the words “sexual orientation and gender identity” to Idaho’s existing Human Rights Act. “When you move into the realm of choices people make and the lifestyles they choose, and they want to claim special rights because they choose a certain lifestyle, that crosses a line,” said Majority Caucus Chairman, Rep. Ken Roberts (R). When asked to clarify what exactly he meant by “special rights,” Roberts admitted he had never read the proposal. Yes, Rep. Roberts. We can tell. Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
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