The 2012 Presidential Caucus will be Saturday, April 14^th at 10:00am at the Morrison Center, with doors opening at 8:30 am.  The Democratic Presidential Caucus is the basis of representative democracy and is one of the most exciting and important events for Democrats in Idaho.  Idaho Democrats will be caucusing the same day as Democrats in Hawaii, Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska.  The Ada County Democratic Presidential Caucus is where we cast our vote for our Democratic Candidate for President and select the individuals who will craft our Democratic Platform.   Whether or not you want to serve as a delegate, this is a once in four-year event that you won’t want to miss!  We will have lots of opportunities for volunteers for this event as well!

Casting ballots for President – Democrats in Ada County will cast our ballots for our Presidential Nominee.  This will be an amazing rally and exciting time at a great venue!  Our caucus will begin be called to order at 10:00am.  An enthusiastic crowd will cast ballots for who we want for President!   By regulation, Democrats can cast their ballots for “President Barack Obama” or “Uncommitted.”  As ballots are tabulated, we’ll have some great entertainment.   We also expect a special message from President Obama.   A re-caucus (recasting of ballots for any candidate not making a 15% threshold) will occur.  At that point delegates will be allocated to the winning candidate.

Become a Delegate – Ada County will send 128 delegates to the State Democratic Convention here in Boise.  Any resident of Ada County can run to be a delegate to the State Convention!  These delegates will not only vote nominate the Presidential candidate, but will also help craft the Democratic Platform for Idaho.  If you have an issue you want supported in the Idaho Democratic Platform, this is your opportunity to have your say!

People place their name on the list at the County Caucus and are voted on by Democrats at the County Caucus.  128 alternate delegates will also be selected to serve if elected delegates cannot attend the State Convention.  The State Convention is June 6^that the Boise Riverside Hotel.  At the State Convention, County delegates cast their ballot at for the Presidential nominee and craft the State Platform.  County delegates can then run to be State delegates for the Democratic National Convention to be held in Charleston, South Carolina in September, 2012!

The quality of life and economic vitality of a community hinges greatly on the quality of its schools.  Please consider volunteering to help pass the Boise School Levy even if you don’t live in Boise!

Get Facts and Volunteer here: http://yesforboiseschools.org/index.html

On Tuesday, March 13^th, voters in the Boise School District will have the opportunity to assure that Boise’s schools retain the excellent level of education they have provided to Boise’s children.  Passage of the Boise School Levy will have a significant effect on the entire community, not just for those living in the capital city.  Its success will have an impact on the economic vitality of the Treasure Valley as a whole.  High quality schools are a factor companies look for when locating their businesses, and many businesses have located in Boise due to its great schools.  A large part of the Boise workforce commutes from surrounding communities, and keeping Boise Schools strong will help retain employers that provide economic strength to those communities.

The Boise School Distric just one of 20 large districts in the country with its highschools on the list of America’s top high schools by the Washington Post.   Currently, 57% of students graduating from Boise schools go on to attend college, compared to 46% statewide.  Boise graduates have a higher college retention rate than the U.S. average.  Nationally, 78.2% of students advance from freshman to sophomore year in college.  Currently, 83% of Boise School District graduates successfully advancing from freshman to sophomore year in college.

The Washington Post ranks our four traditional high schools – Boise, Borah, Capital and Timberline  – among the top 7% of America’s high schools.  The Boise District’s Advanced  Placement program is the best in the state of Idaho.  Additionally, Boise Schools have a well designed professional technical program that graduates students ready to succeed in the technical workforce.

If voters approve the five-year, $14 million dollar supplemental levy, the monthly property tax increase for the average homeowner in Boise would be under $7 per month.  All proceeds from the supplemental levy will go towards maintaining low class sizes and preserving quality programs.  None of the funds from the levy will go to administrative costs.

America’s founding fathers worried that minority parties and people could fall victim to the tyranny of the majority.  The act of redistricting lays the groundwork for how, and who, citizens are able to elect individuals to represent them in government.  If the process itself is tipped in favor of one party over another, the ability of the majority to forever dominate is set.  That is why it is so important for Idaho to retain an evenhanded bipartisan Redistricting Commission that designated voting districts based solely on the “one man-one vote” basis, not on political whim.  However, in Idaho, the GOP has had no problem exerting its control over every aspect of governance, without regard to Idaho Constitutional mandate, or the concerns of our founding fathers. 

After heated debates, the first 2011 Idaho Redistricting Commission exceeded its 90 day appointment without any approved maps.  At the 2011 Winter Republican State Central Committee Meeting, frustrated by their inability to dominate the redistricting process, Idaho GOP leadership passed a resolution to do away with the evenly bipartisan Redistricting Commission, voting to replace it with a seven member commission dominated by the Republican Party, with the “seated members of the commission assigned to reflect the will of the people as evidenced by the political make up of the legislative body. The total number of legislative seats (105) shall be divided by 7 seats. One seat shall be assigned for every 15 seats held by a political party.” http://www.bonnevillerepublicans.org/uploads/2012_Idaho_GOP_Winter_Meeting_Resolutions.pdf

A second Redistricting Commission was appointed and approved both Congressional and Legislative maps.  The Legislative Map was challenged in court.  When the second Redistricting Commission was ordered by the courts to reconvene, two Republican members, Dolores Crow and Randy Hansen were challenged by Idaho GOP Speaker Lawrence Denney and GOP Chair Norm Semanko.  Denney and Semanko tried unsuccessfully to fire Crow and Hansen for not being partisan enough, taking their case to the courts.  The Idaho Supreme Court stepped in again refusing to hear Denney’s and Semanko’s demand to dismiss their commissioners.

After meeting for two days, the Redistricting Commission, with all six members present, unanimously approved L93 http://legislature.idaho.gov/redistricting/PlanHtml/L93.pdf.  At this point, the Ada County Elections Department can now proceed with redrawing precinct lines and locating polling locations in time for the May primary.  While the bipartisan process that upholds “one man-one vote” prevailed, we must be certain that the Idaho GOP is unable to upend the redistricting process at the expense of the minority.

Colleen Fellow, Chair, Ada County Democrats

Things are getting exciting in the Legislature.  Reading the bills that our Democratic Legislators are crafting makes me proud to be a Democrat!  Our Legislators are working incredibly hard, reaching out across the state for input from Idahoans on the bills that affect them including ethics reforms and jobs packages.  We also saw the Idaho Redistricting Commission unanimously approve a new Legislative District map.  This is honest democracy in action!

We look forward to the Legislative Lunch Series starting Tuesday, Feb 7^th and running weekly through Tuesday, March 27^th.  There are three catered lunches and five free brownbag lunches.  We also have a great free public forum of the IDLC Pizza, Politics & Prosperity Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 28^th at Louie’s Restaurant.  Our annual Food Drive for the Idaho Food Bank runs through the month of February.  Planning has begun on the 2012 Democratic Presidential Caucus set for Saturday, April 14^th.  The Presidential Caucus is held once every four years.   Our Ada County Caucus will be at the Morrison Center!  We will nominate our candidate for the President of the United States as well as select individuals to craft our Democratic Platform.  If you have issues to place on the platform, this is your opportunity to do so!  Let us know if you’d like to volunteer for the Presidential Caucus.  There will be lots to do!

We were thrilled at the great success we had with Dems Under the Dome.  Ada County Democrats co-hosted the event and fundraiser with the Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus to rally our supporters, build momentum for the legislative session and start fundraising for a coordinated campaign effort in November.  Over 150 people enjoyed a great evening in the historic Carnegie Library, home of the Huntley Law Firm.  Thank you to Bob Huntley, John Greenfield and the great staff of the Huntley Law Firm for opening their doors to our event!  Democrats were entertained with live music compliments of Steve Eaton and Dan McKay, appetizers donated by Mike and Raelynn Grant of Papa Joe’s Casual Italian Restaurant, wine donated by Bill and Bev Frasier of Frasier Vineyards and wine donated by Dodds Hayden of Hayden Beverage.  Our event was a huge success due to our amazing volunteers, Ed Kershner, Kris Hooker, John Goettsche, Mark French, Darlene Carver, Jim Philpott, Tom Howell, Jim Smart, Britney McCormick, Kris and Stewart Haskell, Janet and Russ Buschert, Dick Chilcote, Chryssa Rich, Sheryl and Bruce Dowlin, Brian Mattingly and Sarah Mello, Katie Caminiti, Jim Philpot, Corey Crownhart, Heather Ketchum, Carol Hernon, Dan DeLuka and Jessica Hertling.  Their enthusiasm and energy was contagions and we are very lucky to have them on our team!

The supplemental levy will:

• Maintain student class sizes at current levels, avoiding increases of 4 to 6 students per classroom.
• Retain District teaching staff, avoiding the potential loss of over 200 teachers and numerous ancillary and classified personnel.
• Cover a projected ongoing $15 million deficit beginning with the 2012-13 school year.

Projected District revenue will decline by $35 million from $201 million in 2008-09 to $166 million by 2012-13. District revenue has not been as low as $166 million since 2000-01. In addition to revenue losses, increased ongoing expenditures in the areas of fuel, transportation, and health insurance are expected to exceed $2 million by 2012-13.

Levies failed in Meridian and Kuna in May, resulting in increased class size and loss of staff, fewer class days, pay-to-play and loss of elective classes. Find out more at Yes! For Boise Schools.

Saturday, February 11th
No host Cocktail Hour 6:00 pm
No host Dinner (order off the menu) and Dessert Auction 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Casa Mexico Restaurant
10332 Fairview Ave, at Fairview and Five Mile

This is a fun event to sit back and talk to fellow Democrats over great food and conversation.  First Congressional District candidate Jimmy Farris and District 18 Representative Phylis King will be guest speakers at our event from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.

Dessert donations greatly appreciated for the dessert auction.  We will have a dessert table filled with amazing bunt cakes, cookies, pies and other great goodies to bid on.

Suggested $5 donation at the door
RSVP to adademocrats@adademocrats.org or call 331-2128

Legislative Luncheons will be held at Berryhill & Company at 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m the first and last Tuesday in February and the last Tuesday in March.  That’s 2/7, 2/28, 3/27.  Cost of the lunch is $15 per person, payable at the door or available ahead of time online at https://secure.actblue.com/page/2012leg.lunch.  Please call 331-2128 and leave your reservation information by the preceding Friday.

Berryhill is located at 121 North 9th Street (half a block north of Main Street on the west side of 9th).

Brown Bag Lunches are scheduled for all other Tuesdays during the legislative session, starting Tuesday, February 14th at the House Minority Caucus Meeting Room on the 4th floor of the Statehouse in the East Wing, rm 426.  Come join us in the “People’s House”!

Dems Under the Dome Set to Open the Legislative Session with Focus

The Ada County Democrats will kick off the 2012 Idaho Legislative Session with their annual Dems Under the Dome event.  Held this Thursday, January 5th from 5- 7 pm in the Historic Carnegie Library, the event is an opportunity for Idahoans to mingle and chat with Democratic legislators about the critical issues of the upcoming session – such as the state budget, education reforms, and health care exchange.

Guest will also enjoy live music, great food and drinks. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at or at the door.  Please RSVP to 331-2128.

Proceeds from the event will help Ada County Democrat’s 2012 Voter Mobilization efforts, which get Democratic supporters to the polls.  In 2008, Ada County had historic democratic turnout, and that turnout fell drastically in 2010.

“We know from talking directly with voters at their front doors, many Idahoans are not satisfied with the Legislature.  Election Day is their opportunity to change that and our mobilization efforts help remind people that their voices and votes do matter,” stated Colleen Fellows, Chair of Ada County Democrats.

Dems Under the Dome, Thursday, January 5th, 5:00pm-7:00pm, in the Carnegie Library, 815 W. Washington in Boise.  Further questions about the event can be directed to the Ada County Democratic Party, (208) 331-2128, or adademocrats@adademocrats.org. 

Ada County Elections is holding an open house this Thursday, December 15th to solicit public comment on its plans for new precinct boundaries. Your input is critical to ensure ease of voting and equal access. If you cannot attend, submit your comments online at Elections@adaweb.net. The open house will be at the Public Hearing Room, first floor of the Ada County Courthouse at 200 W. Front Street, Boise. Map viewing starts at 5:00pm, with the open house 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a brief overview at 6:00pm. Parking is free after 5:00pm and is available on either side of the Courthouse and in the Courthouse garage. It’s critical that precincts be redrawn due to the serious disparity between the number of registered voters from precinct to precinct. Precincts in north Ada County have as few as 600 while precincts in southern and western Ada County have upwards of 2,600 registered voters per precinct. Due to the cost associated with establishing and staffing polling locations, and the lack of locations that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for accessibility, it is unlikely that new precincts will be established. Rather, lines will move to balance the numbers of registered voters to approximately 1,400 within each of the 141 precincts. Please attend this open house and let the elections staff know what will work best for you and your neighborhood in terms of voting access. (Public comments can be made via email)

Representative Phylis King, District 18

Revenue reports are in for FY 2011 ending June 30, 2011 and I am delighted with the report that the fiscal year ended with $85.3 million above the FY 2011 forecast by the Joint Financial Appropriation Committee (JFAC) to set the state budget. This confirms the Democrats analysis that JFAC, the governor, and the majority party underestimated the January projections so that they could justify the cuts to Medicaid and K-12. These were ideologically motivated cuts to our Health and Welfare and Educational systems.

I strongly believe that these cuts will take our state in the wrong direction. Cuts to Health and Welfare mean many citizens will end up hospitalized or incarcerated at a much greater cost to our state and our counties. Slashing budgets rather than building good government and preserving vital services will only prevent our state from recovering from this recession.

Now is the time to call for reconsideration of HB260 which made draconian cuts to Medicaid. State dollars appropriated to Medicaid are multiplied by the federal match of about three times. Whether we restore the full cut made with HB 260, or even if we only restore part of it, the Federal Medicaid match makes a huge impact to state services. The jobs created happen immediately thus having a direct and positive impact on the economy by not only restoring public sector jobs but also private sector contractor jobs. Idaho gets about 20 jobs per $1 million spent. Mostly though, we need to restore vital health care services to our citizens and restore hope to our state.

At a time when many school districts are calling for override levies it is especially good to hear that $67.4 million of the $85 million surplus has been appropriated to Public Schools and Community Colleges. If we want to grow our economy we need an educated workforce. My hope is that it is not too late for school districts to fill vacancies and purchase new books and supplies. An educated workforce is often the number one reason a business may stay in or relocate to Idaho.

We are on track to have a $183 Million surplus in the FY 2012 over and above the surplus of FY 2011. The governor has indicated his priorities for additional surpluses will be education and replenishment of state reserve funds. I agree, education is top on my list too, but can we really afford to put money into a reserve account when we are fighting to provide even basic services? In my family, I have to put food on the table and provide shelter before I can put money into savings. I care about families who are struggling to put food on the table and keep their homes. So I say let’s restore these vital services and turn this economy around.

At the present time our legislature has budgeted for FY 2012 based on the lowest point of the recession. We need to persuade the majority party and governor to grow up and work on restoring our economy. Economists will tell you that recessions are always temporary—we will get out of this, and to base our budget on the very worst year is draconian. Idaho already has low levels of services compared to other states.

There is a group of legislators who would propose cuts to income tax of mostly wealthy individuals and corporations. Legislation like this would only keep the state in this recession. It is an economic fact that as personal income goes up so does the general fund. A bill to cut personal income tax undermines the growth to Idaho’s economy. It undermines opportunities for citizens and does not make Idaho an attractive place for businesses to stay in or move to. They want an educated workforce and without revenue, we can not provide that. It also does not provide vital health care to citizens who through no fault of their own are dependent on these social services

My questions are; Do these harsh actions that the majority party dreamed up, need to be kept in place? Is this a reason to call for a special session to reconsider the cuts to Medicaid?