On January 3-4, 2025 Republican voting members from all around Idaho assembled in Boise for the annual Winter Meeting. Numerous state party rules and resolutions were submitted, presented, debated, amended and ultimately voted on accepting or rejecting them. The proposed rule changes affect the party only but the resolutions are strong statements of grassroots legislation with hopes a legislator will sponsor and carry them as “Bills” in the statehouse.

Among the resolutions were topics including legislators salaries, property tax increase limits, increased penalties for drug offenses involving the youth, opposition to reintroduction of grizzly bears in certain Idaho locations, and my favorite- the return of each county having its own Senator. Up until the mid 1960’s each county had their own. Even though it modeled itself after the US Congress, a US Supreme Court case brought that to an end, deeming it “unconstitutional”.

Presently, the 44 Idaho counties are divided up into 35 legislative Districts. Some districts are only the size of a city like Pocatello while other districts include numerous counties. Oneida is currently in Legislative District 27 which includes Minidoka and Cassia counties(all three of our district legislators reside in Cassia County). Previously Oneida was included in Legislative District 32 which included Franklin, Bear Lake, Caribou, Teton and part of Bonneville counties.

This conversation about returning to a Senator from each county is not a new one. Every few years, Republicans bring this issue to discuss in official meetings. Is it worth continuing? It would mean 9 more senators in Idaho at $25,000 each per year for a total of $225,000 more spending. Is better representation worth the cost?

One topic that jumps to my mind is the current delimma Oneida faces after the Bond Equalization Program was repealed and replaced. When this bill was brought about it was asked if any school districts would be negatively affected. The answer was “only one, Oneida”. There was no targeting or malicious intent to harm Oneida but rather it just happened to be the only district that was involved with the current Bond Equalization Program. Had other districts passed their bonds on the same election day as Oneida, they would have been harmed as well.

The Bill proceeded and was passed with a heavy majority, in fact- Oneida’s two Representatives and one Senator all voted in favor it. It is good legislation but what about Oneida? Who was there to speak up for us? Did Oneida slip through the cracks?
I’m convinced had Oneida had its own resident Senator, we would have had a fighter for us. Now, we find ourself in quite the predicament.

Back to the Winter Meeting- The resolution passed and all four of Oneida County Republican Committee representatives voted in favor of it. I personally spoke to the main body in favor of this.

The US Supreme Court would need to overturn the previous ruling and with the current, more conservative court, it’s possible. Until then the conversation continues. 

Idaho Attorney General, Raul Labrador will be keynote speaker at Oneida County Lincoln Day Event on March 15th, 6:30 pm at the Event Center, Malad Idaho. Perhaps we can ask him about this issue and others we are involved with here in Oneida.

Ray Hubbard
Republican State Committeeman for Oneida County.