Elected Democrats Plan Path To Change In State Legislature
BY AIMEE DURAND
Dust from the campaign trail has settled and elected officials Sen. Michelle Stennett (D-Ketchum), Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding) and Rep.-elect Muffy Davis (D-Hailey) are blazing a new path toward change in the Idaho State Legislature, starting with medical and educational needs.
“People have spoken pretty firmly,” Stennett said.
Reflecting on the campaign, these officials agreed it was an overall success full of heartwarming support, volunteers and willingness for people to participate.
“I don’t care what side of the aisle you’re on, people want to participate,” Stennett said.
Although there were a few curves thrown in during the last weeks of the campaign, representatives said time spent on the campaign trail allowed them to express themselves and steer the focus to the issues.
“With all the disrespect and hate rhetoric this election cycle, people should stay engaged with civility and respectfulness,” Stennett said.
This trio of women is meeting the challenge with a coordinative team approach as they tackle the ongoing issues of healthcare and education.
“It’s all about people and issues,” Toone said. “In order for democracy to succeed, we have to make sure citizens get involved; it is based on people,” she said. “Thank you, everyone in Blaine County, for their support.”
Toone expects the Medicaid expansion plan to be the topic addressed right off the bat and is excited to be involved with these new changes.
“We have to believe it will move in the right direction,” Toone said.
Toone is also a backer of education, including equitable opportunities in career and technical training, college goals and affordability.
“Every student in Idaho should have the opportunity to meet their dreams,” Toone said.
With 21 new members in the House and a new formula coming through that includes loan forgiveness, she believes a lot will be accomplished. Toone mentions that Idaho is ranked 34th in ACT scores in the nation and that we do have National Merit Scholars.
“If we look at the whole picture, it is not that we are doing horribly, just that we can do better,” Toone said.
Another issue facing Idaho, the fastest growing state in the nation, is workforce development. All districts need access to the professional and technical training resources to take over the vacancies that are out there. It is expected that 49,000 jobs will need to be filled by 2024.
Newcomer Davis credits her positive campaign experience to the leadership of Toone and Stennett.
“I had great mentors to guide and shape me,” Davis said.
The hardest part of the campaign for Davis, who considers herself a goal setter and a planner, was the waiting.
“Now at least I know my future,” she said. “Thank you, Blaine County voters.”
Davis’s political prompt came in the form of many letters from constituents about healthcare. After realizing that the need for affordable, preventative care would require more than signatures and being voted in, she decided to take a more active role.
“My first goal is to go to Boise and let everyone know I am here and willing to work with anyone to find a good solution for Idaho families,” Davis said.
She realizes this is a big job for such a diverse state and believes that counties know their individual needs. Davis will seek a bipartisan group to work with and make decisions that will take the burden off the indigent and catastrophic funds and stop the healthcare wait. Davis believes that trust in the extensive research and implementation of the Medicaid expansion plan could save $15 million over the course of three years.
Davis encourages people to reach out to her and share their concerns and stories.
“Let me know what is important to you,” Davis said. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
Stennett also encourages people to speak loud and clear and not back down.
“Stick your spurs in the dirt and say this is what I need from government,” she said.
As far as Medicaid expansion, Stennett believes that the gap population, which includes 6,000 veterans, would gain access to healthcare services that they otherwise could not obtain.
“We need to do a better job serving our veterans’ needs,” she said.
According to Stennett, even though this long-overdue plan has potential, it will still be a fight.
“We have our work cut out to see what the final product will look like,” Stennett said.
Election day is over, the foundation is set, and representatives encourage voters to stay involved.
“This is not a spectator sport,” Toone said.
“We need to pull up our sleeves and do what it takes to move forward,” Davis said.