Religious Freedom Extends Beyond the Chapel Doors
This week at the Madison Liberty Institute, our BrushFires project is celebrating the House's choice to repeal common core, but there is still work to be done. On the student front, our Spark Freedom project has some exciting activities coming up this week. Our first screening for Operation Underground Railroad's (O.U.R.) special documentary is this coming Monday. Our Boise team interviewed Mr. Blaine Conzatti with the Family Policy Alliance for Idaho. And lastly, week five of the 2020 Legislative Session is coming to a close and time is up for introducing new bills in committee.
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about religious liberty. The question “how far does religious liberty extend?” has become a huge topic among our local, state, and federal representatives. Unfortunately, this mindset from lawmakers across the country is resulting in legislation being proposed that are direct attacks on our ability to stand up for our religious convictions. And unfortunately, Idaho is not exempt from these kinds of discussions.
Recently, members of the Madison Liberty Institute attended a forum at the Idaho Capitol. One of the panelists at the forum went as far to say that "religious liberty ends at the door of the churches." She continued to express that while every person has the right to believe whatever they want, they do not have the right to publicly act on those beliefs.
So, how far does religious freedom extend?
Individuals have the right to practice their deep-rooted beliefs without undue government interference. Individuals have the right to live and work according to their sincerely held religious convictions.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that...
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
And on top of that, the Idaho Constitution under Article 1, Section 4 states that...
“The exercise and enjoyment of religious faith and worship shall forever be guaranteed.”
All men and women should be guaranteed the right to express their beliefs openly without fear of state-sponsored persecution or harm from others. At the Madison Liberty Institute, we support religious liberty and the protection of churches, faith-based employers, and organizations from inappropriate legal restrictions which would infringe on their right to practice their freedom of conscience. Especially here in Idaho!
|
|
“That religion, or the duty which we owe to our CREATOR, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity; towards each other.”
- James Madison, Virginia Declaration of Rights, 1776
|
|
|
With today, week 5 of the 2020 Legislative Session comes to a close and the deadline for introducing new bills is quickly approaching (02.10.20). This means many of our State Senators and Representatives are scrambling to finish legislation and have it introduced in committee.
COMMON CORE: The most exciting highlight from this week was the House Education committee chose to repeal the Idaho content standards (Common Core) for math, language arts, and science with a committee vote of 10 to 5! However, there is still work to be done on this front. Common Core will now be voted on in the Senate Education Committee. If the Senate chooses to repeal Common Core, then it is out. Therefore, we highly encourage you to contact these senators and encourage them to oppose Common Core! To make things easier, we invite you to use our new “Contact Your Representatives” tool to send an email to the committee encouraging them to vote to repeal common core.
CHOOSE LIFE: Senator Regina Bayer (R-Meridian) introduced Senate Bill 1249, which would add “Choose Life” as a new specialty license plate available at the Idaho DMV. Of each $35 plate registration fee, $22 will be given to local pregnancy resource centers that promote a culture of life. This bill was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee and a third hearing will take place soon.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A new bill introduced by Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb (D-Boise) in the Idaho State Senate (SB.1275) proposes to amend Idaho code to require health benefit plans to cover six months of birth control at a time (including abortifacients). Senate Commerce & Human Resources Committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Not only is this legislation backed by Planned Parenthood (which should be enough to raise a red flag), the bill goes beyond the proper role of government and is positioned to infringe on religious liberty here in Idaho. We encourage you to contact your legislators and other members of the legislature to voice your opposition to this legislation.
|
2ND AMENDMENT: Idaho is potentially taking one more step to complete Constitutional Carry in the Gem State by reinforcing second amendment rights through a new proposed law. Introduced this week by Representative Christy Zito (R-Hammett), House Bill 394 would amend existing law to allow individuals who are legal residents of the United States to carry a concealed handgun without a permit in city limits. (Permitless concealed carry is already allowed outside of cities in Idaho.) In support of this proposed legislation, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance held an emergency gun rally this past Wednesday and had a strong turn out of 2nd Amendment loving Idahoans.
NANNY STATE: Last year, Representative Rod Furniss (R-Rigby) sponsored House Bill 179 (HB.179aa) regarding motor vehicle insurance. The legislation passed and went into effect this year. Now, any owner of an uninsured vehicle that does not fill out a form to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles will have their vehicle registration unceremoniously dropped by the DMV. To reinstate your vehicle’s registration, a hefty fee of $75 dollars must be paid. Although there are cases of uninsured vehicles that are being driven and put others at risk in the process, this law is punishing law-abiding citizens along with those who are actually driving uninsured. This week, Representative Heather Scott (R-Blanchard) proposed legislation (RS27622) in the House Business Committee that would have repealed last year's law. Unfortunately, Rep. Scott's proposal did not receive a majority of votes in the committee and, therefore, failed to become an official bill and advance any further this session.
We hope you will join us in the watchful care of the privileges we enjoy as citizens of this great state and nation. Stay tuned for our update next week, and learn more about current legislation by checking out our bill alert section below! |
|
Family Policy Update ft. Blaine Conzatti
|
|
|
Brushfires Update: Your Voices Have Been Heard!
After much effort on your part, your voice has been heard and the House Education Committee voted to repeal Common Core (10-5)! The Idaho content standards will now be voted on by the Senate Education Committee. We invite you to use our new "Contact Your Representative" Tool to send an email to the committee with your thoughts on Common Core.
The Restoration Generation, a group from our Spark Freedom project, is offering weekly seminars on current events and the Constitution. Over the next few weeks, God’s Hand in the Building of America seminars will be held at our Spark Freedom Center every Thursday evening from 5-7 PM. We encourage you to attend and learn more about our country's religious roots.
If you are interested in starting a BrushFires group in your county or community, please click HERE to learn more about our civic engagement project and how you can get involved.
|
|
|
Spark Freedom:
Mark Your Calendars!
|
|
|
Operation Toussaint Showing in Idaho Falls and Rexburg!
Madison Liberty is partnering with Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and volunteers to host a screening of the documentary Operation Toussaint at Edwards Theater in Idaho Falls on February 10th and Paramount 5 in Rexburg on February 20th. This event will help raise money for Operation Underground Railroad’s future missions to rescue people around the world from human trafficking and aftercare support. The documentary, Operation Toussaint takes us along on the mission that saved many trafficked humans in Haiti in 2018. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed HERE.
We hope you all will take the opportunity to attend either of the screenings as well as check out Spark Freedom's O.U.R. student chapter - Students Against Slavery.
For additional information, please contact Ms. Madison DaBell.
|
|
|
Liberty Resource:
Becket Fund
This week for our liberty resource we wanted to share the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty with you. This organization is a "a non-profit, public interest law firm defending the freedom of religion of people of all faiths." We highly encourage you to visit their website and check out the resources they have to offer.
Resource Link
|
|
|
Meet Alehtse Hernandez
This week, we are excited to highlight Ms. Alehtse Hernandez, a communications intern with the Madison Liberty Institute. Alehtse is a journalism major at BYU-Idaho. Her primary responsibilities at Madison Liberty are to assist the Spark Freedom project with their communications efforts.
Click HERE to learn more about Alehtse.
|
|
|
H0308: Handheld devices, restriction ban
H0309: Budget stabilization fund
H0310: Background checks, sources
H0312: Daycare facilities, licensing
H0313: Acupuncture, licensing
H0314: Deaf, hard of hearing, terminology
H0315: Controlled Substances schedule I
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Passed
H0321: Liquor, plazas, theaters
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Passed
H0322: Presidential primary, party change
- Status: House, U.C. to be returned to State Affairs Committee
H0330: Non-Resident Hunting License Fee
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Resources & Environment
H0332: Driver’s licenses, issuance, fees
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Transportation.
H0341: Medical Billing
- Status: House, Health & Welfare
H0342: Telehealth services
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Health & Welfare
H0343: Bonded wine warehouses
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Passed
H0346: Distracted driving
- Status: House, Transportation & Defense
H0347: Bond elections, eleven months
H0349: Marriage license, application
- Status: House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration
H0351: Medicaid reimbursements
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, Health & Welfare
H0352: Grocery tax credit
|
H0358: Daylight saving time, exemption
H0359: Property tax repeal
- Status: House, Ways & Means
H0360: Sales, use tax, food exemption
- Status: House, Ways & Means
H0361: Abortion, illegal
- Status: Status: House, Ways & Means
H0364: Education, school year start date
H0379: Presidential primary, party change
- Status: House, Passed. Senate, State Affairs
H0391: Youth athletes, chiropractors
- Status: House, Health & Welfare
H0393: School levy, bond elections, dates
- Status: House, State Affairs
H0394: Concealed weapons, legal residents
H0402: Child protection, training
- Status: House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration
H0403: Child protection, parental right6
H0406: Female genital mutilation, child
- Status: House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration
H0407: Income tax credit, food sales
- Status: House, Revenue & Taxation
S1226: Civil Rights
- Status: Senate, State Affairs
S1232: Inmate Savings Accounts
- Status: Senate, Passed. House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration
S1241: Legalize Hemp
- Status: Senate, State Affairs
S1247: Wolf Zones
- Status: Senate, Resources & Environment
S1249: Choose life license plate
S1275: Insurance, contraceptive, six month
S103: Warrantless arrest
- Status: Senate, State Affairs
|
|
|
Legislative Progress Report:
Week 5 (as of 02.07.2020)
|
|
Legislation
- New legislation prepared: 461
- Changes, amendments, and engrossment: 58
- Total legislation: 519
Introductions
- Bills: 228
- Resolutions, Memorials, Proclamations (both houses): 26
|
Action
- Bills passed (both houses): 8
- Bills awaiting signatures: 4
- Bills signed by Governor: 4
- Resolutions, Memorials adopted: 2
Bills Passed by Chamber
(and pending in the other)
- Senate: 21
- House of Representatives: 32
|
|
|
|
|
