COVID-19 Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) Update
The Governor’s COVID-19 Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) met for the first time last week to begin the process of prioritizing how to allocate the $1.25 billion allocated to the state of Idaho through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). Idaho estimates that it will receive its CRF funds from the US Treasury around April 24th. The …
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Don’t Get Zoombombed: Tips for Creating Safe Virtual Meetings
All of us are adapting to meeting in a visual setting. We are “zooming” to meet with colleagues rather than meeting with them face to face. As you embark in this new reality, be aware of the security implications of meeting virtually. Many of you have seen recent news articles about “zoombombing.” “Zoombombing” or “zoom …
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Expanded Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18, 2020. It is effective after April 2, 2020 and will sunset, unless extended, on December 31, 2020. The Act provides eligible employees a right to emergency paid sick leave and paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for …
Coronavirus Relief Fund to Provide Assistance to Counties
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) established a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to provide funding to state, local, and tribal governments for expenditures incurred due to public health emergency caused by COVID-19. Idaho’s share of the CRF is $1.25 billion. Governor Little has established the COVID-19 Financial Advisory Committee …
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From the Executive Director: Week of March 9, 2020
First of all, brace yourselves for a flurry of emails on Medicaid expansion and property tax caps. Over the next week, the House will consider 2-3 bills related to Medicaid expansion, including the role of counties in funding Medicaid expansion. There are two competing Medicaid expansion funding bills. The first bill, House Bill 600 directs …
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What to Watch: Week of March 9, 2020
IAC Priority Legislation On Thursday, March 6, Senate Bill 1339 (Clerk on Magistrate Commission) passed out of the House Judiciary and Rules Committee with a due pass recommendation. It is now on the 3rd reading calendar awaiting a final vote in the House. On Friday, March 7, House Bill 463 (Juvenile Pretrial Release) passed out …
From the Executive Director: Week of March 2, 2020
This past week, the House voted 46-23 to approve House Bill 409. The bill now advances to the Senate where members of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee are negotiating amendments to replace the freeze language with a temporary cap in local government property tax budget increases. While no deal has been reached, there …
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From the Executive Director: Week of February 22, 2020
As we enter the home stretch of the 2020 Legislative Session, two issues remain unresolved for counties: how to fund Medicaid expansion and how to provide property tax relief. I’m personally meeting with members of the House and Senate on both issues as stakeholders strive to find a path forward that addresses legislative concerns while …
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From the Executive Director: Week of January 20, 2020
As we enter the 3rd week of the 2020 Legislative Session, one thing is on most legislators’ minds: how to provide meaningful property tax relief to constituents. There are dozens of ideas floating around the Capitol ranging from eliminating new construction to instituting a one year freeze on the property tax portion of non-school taxing …
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From the Executive Director: Week of January 13, 2020
IAC President Jerry White and I recently returned from a NACo meeting in Washington DC. As part of our meetings, we learned of George Washington and his leadership style. One of the traits I admire the most about George Washington was his ability to bring a group of diverse stakeholders together, listen and respect all …
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