Ready to raise your voice?

Register soon for Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia, Thursday, February 9, 9am-3pm. Please register by January 29 at this link so we can arrange legislative meetings for you.

You can view the recordings of our 2023 legislative preview and Advocacy 101 Zoom trainings at our YouTube channel. The slide deck from Advocacy 101 can be viewed at this link. We will be updating our legislative agenda with bill numbers as legislation continues to be introduced.

Dear fellow Idahoans*, please mark your calendars for this very important opportunity to learn about two impactful issues, healthcare choices in Idaho and Idaho public education.

*Not just for women and members of United Women in Faith. As the 2023 Legislative Session begins, we all need to be informed about important issues in our state.

Sunday, January 22, 2023, 7 pm MST, Zoom

Women’s Reproductive Health with Rev. Sarah LaWall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, https://boiseuu.org,  will speak about how Idahoans can join in the critical conversations about reproductive health issues.   Choices in health care are essential to all Idahoans and women with daughters and granddaughters. Our legislators should trust and respect Idahoans regarding personal medical decisions with their providers.

Sunday, January 29, 2023, 7 pm MST, Zoom

The State of Idaho Public Education with Rod Gramer, Idaho Business for Education, https://www.idahoednews.org, will discuss the education bills before the Idaho legislature. This past election portends a change in Idaho’s education philosophy and policy. Your participation in your Oregon Idaho Conference legislative events will offer you differing points of view so that you can feel confident in contacting your local legislators regarding how you wish to have them represent you.

Register for Zoom with Judy Halverson, judybhalverson@gmail.com; for inquiries, phone Judy at 208-859-2049.

Who is your legislator? Contact your county clerk or check the Idaho

Legislature website: www.legislature.idaho.gov. Opportunities to meet your legislators will be announced at a later date.

Local Housing in Boise can be arranged as needed for attending committee hearings. It is important to note if transportation will be needed and any allergies to pets, no stairs, or other special needs.

Collectively, Idahoans can make a difference by informing our local legislators of our political positions as full Idaho citizens and as taxpayers. Your State Senators and Representatives don’t know where you stand if you don’t tell them.

A few legislative policy positions to consider:

Should our Idaho healthcare policy be restrictive or supportive of women and families?

Should Idaho health care policy support or restrict treatment options considered between a woman/girl and her health care provider? Should Idaho health care policy restrict or support treatment options for fathers?

Should healthcare providers be restricted in healthcare treatment for Idaho women and girls?

Should long-term Idaho health care policy include support for maternal care, pediatric care, and reproductive health care for men and women?

Should Idaho education policy support state funding of public school buildings?

Should Idaho education policy include state funding for semi-public charter schools and private schools?

Should Idaho education policy follow the Idaho constitution on public school funding?

These questions are just a few of the important issues facing our Idaho State legislature and our policy-making committees. Registering for and attending our Idaho Legislative Event sessions will be an opportunity for you to learn and to ask questions, and then enable you to have informed communication with Idaho lawmakers from your district. As pointed out earlier, if you don’t let your Idaho legislators know what you want, they can’t represent you.

Peace be with you, and may your new year be blessed! United Women in Faith, Oregon Idaho Conference