Idaho (1998)
For the
second year in a row, legislation that would curb student group's work on ballot
initiatives was passed out of the Idaho House. House Bill 499, whose companion
bill is now pending before the Senate State Affairs Committee, would prohibit
student groups from using their resources to advocate on behalf of ballot and
bond measures.
This issue
became a hot topic in the legislature after the student government at Boise
State University printed up literature and T-shirts opposing a property tax
initiative. The SGA was concerned that the policy would severely cut education
funding, leading to possible 300% tuition increases or campus closings.
"It (HB
499) is gagging students and preventing them from being effective on issues
that directly affect them," said Jade Riley, Legislative Director for the Associated
Students of Boise State University. ASBSU is also concerned that the bill sets
a precedent contrary to the principle of local control.
If passed,
the bill could also affect associations that represent public schools, hospitals,
cities and counties.
Update:
* This bill was defeated in the 1998 legislative session. *
The close
of Idaho's 1998 legislative session ended an attempt to stifle college students'
opinions on public policy initiatives. The bill, HB 499, would have restricted
students' use of their fee resources to join the debates around public policy
issues on the ballot.
After
passing through the House, HB 499 went to the Senate State Affairs Committee.
However, the committee did not take action on the bill before the end of the
legislative session, effectively killing it Committee Chair John Hansen (R)
explains the demise of HR 499."We advanced those {bills} that we thought were
really important. That one didn't make the cut." According to Hansen, the bill's
sponsors were not able to build momentum behind the proposal.
The fight
is over for now, but campus leaders are already thinking ahead. According to
Chris Ostermeier, outgoing student government President at Idaho State University,
coalition efforts are already underway to prepare for next time. Back to Archive
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