Voters in District 14 have an important vote in Tuesday’s May 15th primary, to write-in “Glida Bothwell” for House Seat 14B and fill in the oval by her name on the democratic primary ballot.

With 50 write-in votes in the primary, Gloida Bothwell will face the winner of the republican primary in the general election, either incumbent Reed DeMordaunt or Michael Greenway. 

Attached is a picture of what the District 14 democratic Primary ballot should look like with the write-in name.  Be sure to spell the name correctly and fill in the oval beside the written name so the vote will count. 

Contact the Ada County Democrts at 331-2128 with questions or email office@adademocrats.org.

Currently, Winder is running unopposed in the republican primary.  Mace is the official democratic write-in candidate for District 20 Senate and will make sure Winder has an opponent in November.  The attached picture is an example of what the democratic primary ballot should look like when your fill in “James Mace” for State Senate and fill in the oval by the written name. 

Winder has failed his constituents with his push for an unconscionable and intrusive government mandated transvaginal ultrasound bill, his vote to give huge tax breaks to companies and essentially handing that tax bill to Idahoans, his lack of focus on real job for working Idahoans, his lack of support for transparency in how our tax dollars are spent by the K12, the private company Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna has hired to bring its dubious education practices to Idaho’s children, and numerous other ways he refuses to center on jobs, the economy, education and ethics.  Contact the Ada County Democrats at 331-2128 with questions or email office@adademocrats.org or jamesmace4senate@gmail.com.  Visit Jame’s campaign website at: http://mace4senate.com  and let’s work together to hold our elected official accountable!

Date: May 10, 2012 Contact: Dean A. Ferguson (208) 790-4530 or Larry Grant (208) 739-0242

March 25, 2012

Contact: Colleen Fellows – Chair of Ada County Democrats at (208) 870-6749 or Kathy Ellis – 2012 Caucus Chair at (208) 921-0613

2012 Idaho Democratic Presidential Caucus Information

The Ada County Democrats will host the 2012 Democratic Presidential Caucus on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Morrison Center.  The Caucus is free and open to all.  Please enter at the doors on the north side of the Morrison Center along the Boise River.  Doors open at 8:30 am and the Caucus begins at 10:00 am.  Doors will be closed at 10:00 am, attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

During the Caucus, there will be a special performance of the local fire fighter-lead group The Bagpipe Renegades, as well as the Idaho debut of the Obama documentary The Road We Have Traveled.

Colleen Fellows, chair of the Ada County Democrats, stated, “This is an opportunity not only for the chance to show Ada County that the Democratic Party is alive and well, but to show the Nation that there is a Democratic presence in the state of Idaho.  We ask that Democrats far and wide to come down and show their support, vote for the President and see for themselves how the party is being revitalized within Ada County.”

Voter registration tables, as well as guides showing the redistricting maps within Ada County will be available at the Caucus.  Participants must be residents of Ada County and old enough to vote in the 2012 General Election to participate.  There is no entrance fee and parking is free in the designated lots by the Morrison Center and the in Brady Garage.  The intersection at Broadway Ave. and University Dr. will be closed Saturday, April 14^th for local events.  Please drive to the Morrison Center from the intersection of Capitol Boulevard and University Drive.

When: April 14, 2012

Where: The Morrison Center

Free: No cost to attend, and free parking

Address: 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise, ID 83725

Entrance: on North Side of Morrison Center along the Boise River

Time: Doors open at 8:30 am and close at 10:00 am.  Caucus ends before noon.

 ####

Contribute now to Give $20; Get Winder Out of 20!

Click Here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/20fordist20

Today, Senator Chuck Winder dropped by to see a live ultrasound demonstration at the Idaho Legislature!  This is unbelievable!  The Idaho Legislature needs to focus on improving our economy, creating a framework for jobs, strengthening education Pre-K through Higher Ed., creating our own Idaho Healthcare Exchange tailored by Idahoans for Idahoans, and establishing a bi-partisan Ethics Commission that would help improve our economy because employers and investors would know they would have an equal opportunity to grow their business regardless of who they know in the Legislature!

Instead, Senator Chuck Winder and the Idaho GOP waste our time and taxpayers dollars spending precious days in the Legislature with Senate Bill 1387, and other useless legislation that insults Idahoans, and infringes on our rights to individual liberty! Help ensure that Senator Chuck Winder and every Republican in Ada County that Voted FOR Mandated Ultrasounds is forced from office! We have work to do for the Primary and General Elections! Chuck Winder sponsored SB1387. It is an unfunded mandate which demands transvaginal ultrasounds for any woman that seeks an abortion in Idaho. This is a horrible invasion of privacy and straight out intimidation! Medical decisions should be between a woman, her doctor, her family and clergy. Big Government needs to stay out of Idahoans’ private lives and focus on legislation we all need!

Senators Andreason, Fulcher, McKague, Toryanski and Winder are Republican Senators in Ada County that voted “Yes” for SB1387! Other Republican Senators that voted Yes on SB1387 – Sens. Bair, Brackett, Cameron, Darrington, Davis, Heider, Hill, Johnson, Lodge, McKenzie, Mortimer, Nuxoll, Pearce, Rice, Siddoway, Smyser, Tippets and Vick.

www.adademocrats.org

Addressing Education and Employment

With years of continuous service many young veterans have fallen far behind their civilian peers in terms of education and employment opportunity.  Providing tuition assistance programs to veterans will ensure that they are afforded the opportunity to expand their formal education.  Veterans who have incentive to stay in the state of Idaho and continue their education will be long-term leaders and economic boosters.  Steps should be taken to educate employers to ensure that military service is not simply seen as other employment, but a training ground for a dedicated and skilled workforce.

In the current legislative session there are several bills intended to make an effort to address education and employment opportunity.  S1299 would create uniform policies that translate military education, service, and training into academic credit.  It would also allow professional licensing boards to consider these factors in issuing their license.  H630 changes the designation of “veteran service” to include any honorable military service.  Past designation required service in armed combat or on a specific military campaign.  This becomes an important distinction in Idaho pubic sector hiring.  H568 addresses veteran preference; it allows a veteran to apply for a preference in any public service appointment, not just the initial appointment as in the past.

Improvement Needed in Mental Health and Addiction Services

Veteran courts have a proven track record of success.  The courts are designed to help those veterans who suffer from mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction.  These courts consider the military history of an individual, things like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as their accomplishments and commendations.  They then assign an alternative sentence, which, upon completion, could reduce or dismiss the charges.  The first veteran court, in Buffalo, New York, has been in operation since 2008 and reports a recidivism rate of zero.  In the Ada County jail, approximately nine percent of the population are veterans.  To address this, both Ada and Canyon Counties have participating veteran courts but are currently the only Counties in Idaho to do so.  Expansion of the veteran court program should be accelerated to the rest of the state.  Drug addictions are on the rise in the military.  Addictions to prescription drugs are much more common problems than illicit drugs and are much harder to detect and treat.  The state needs to be proactive in creating and providing services.

Addressing Long-term Needs

The veteran issue is not a new one.  There are generations of veterans passing away everyday.  Idaho should expand its Veteran Cemetery to the north, central and eastern parts of the state.  Doing so would ensure veterans have the opportunity to be buried near their homes and families.

Other issues being addressed in this session of the legislature include H479, which, if passed, would allow a veteran home administrator to collect funds due to residents of the veteran home.  These collected funds could be used to pay expenses incurred by a veteran’s stay or any other reasonable expense.  H371 would allow any parent of a child who dies in military service to be admitted as a veteran home resident.  And finally, H461 and H496, allowing disabled veterans to be awarded free big game permits or tags and for service members to be exempted from hunter education requirements.

The Idaho Legislature has Work to Do

Idaho leaders are making token efforts to assist veterans but serious long-term efforts are needed.  Addressing mental health and addiction issues should lead discussions concerning veteran legislation.  With an estimated 137,099 veterans, not including former service members, statewide, there is ample reason to be proactive with a population that has a history of distinguished service to community.

Christopher Lavelle currently serves with the Idaho Army National Guard

  Join Ada County Democrats for a great evening of Pizza & Politics!

Every year, Idaho’s Democratic Leadership and Legislators travel across Idaho listening to the public’s concerns rather than just listening to lobbyists inside the Statehouse.  Join the Ada County Democrats and Idaho Democratic Leaders and Legislature for a FREE pizza and politics public forum in Ada County, lite pizza appetizers and soda provided.

Democratic Legislators want an open conversation on ethics and jobs to create a road to prosperity in Idaho and need your feedback on their Accountability & Ethics Initiatives and Idaho Jobs & Opportunity Blueprint package.  Get involved and build the path forward!  Let’s push for meaningful ethics reform and job creation.

Location: Louie’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 

2500 E Fairview Ave, Meridian, on Fairview Rd., 1/3 mile west of Eagle Rd.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 28^th

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

FREE Pizza Appetizers and Soda Provided

RSVP to 331-2128

Pizza Politics & Prosperity Facebook Event Page

The 2012 Presidential Caucus will be Saturday, April 14^th at the Morrison Center, with doors opening at 8:30 am and closing at 10:00 am. Participants must be inside the building before 10:00 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 14th athrough June 16th at 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.