THANKS to the Idaho Press-Tribune for giving Democratic lawmakers this opportunity to share news and views with you. For Democratic Party updates throughout the year, please visit your Canyon County Democrats on the web.

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The 2009 Idaho Legislature has finally concluded after 117 days and a cost of more than $3.5 million to taxpayers. After the second-longest session in Idaho Legislative history, many of us are asking "What do Idahoans have to show for it?"

While transportation funding was the Legislature's main hurdle, the economy was the real story of the session. Over the past year, Idaho has gone...read more

Sen. Elliot Werk (District 17, Boise) sent the following message to constituents in his newsletter last weekend. The session is now in its 113th day, and there's no end in sight to the standoff.

The Idaho legislative session is now in its 111th day - the 2nd longest session in history. The conservative Republican Governor is locked in a battle to raise the gas tax in the deepest recession in...read more

Here are excerpts from some of the e-mail newsletters that Idaho Democratic lawmakers sent home to their constituents about Week 13 of the 2009 Idaho Legislature. If you would like to receive regular updates from your legislators - Democrat or Republican - be sure to let them know

Rep. Liz Chavez (District 7) - ... Last week there was a glimmer of hope that the slashing of 5 percent across the...read more

The Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus' "Legislative Listening Tour" will be in Canyon County on Wednesday, April 8. Citizens are invited to come learn how Democrats would represent Canyon County residents on issues including public transportation, education, good-paying jobs and energy independence. The forum is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Langroise Hall on the College of Idaho campus...read more

Here are excerpts from some of the e-mail newsletters that Idaho Democratic lawmakers sent home to their constituents about Week 10 of the 2009 Idaho Legislature. If you would like to receive regular updates from your legislators - Democrat or Republican - be sure to let them know.

Rep. John Rusche (District 7) - What many have called our "going home" bill failed on the House Floor...read more

Here are excerpts from some of the e-mail newsletters that Idaho Democratic lawmakers sent home to their constituents during Week 7 of the 2009 Idaho Legislature. If you would like to receive regular updates from your legislators - Democrat or Republican - be sure to let them know.

Rep. James Ruchti (District 29) - As many of you are aware, the proposal to raise taxes on beer and wine to pay...read more

President Obama will address Congress tonight just five weeks after taking office. His speech is set for 7 p.m. Mountain Time, 6 p.m. Pacific, and he plans to talk about the broad range of economic challenges we face as a nation.

No matter what Obama says tonight, Americans can take some comfort in the knowledge that our economy has historically done much better under Democratic presidents than...read more

Here are excerpts from some of the e-mail newsletters that Idaho Democratic lawmakers sent home to their constituents during Week 6 of the 2009 Idaho Legislature. If you would like to receive regular updates from your legislators - Democrat or Republican - be sure to let them know.

Rep. John Rusche (District 7) - The daylight is getting longer and so are the days. We seem to have hit "reset"...read more

Rep. John Rusche (District 7) - Remember when you had a secret Valentine? Secrets are hard to keep. In the end, it seems like almost all secrets get shared. That is true around the Statehouse too.

One secret related to the state's revenue numbers for the month of January, 2009. Rumors floated around the statehouse that the actual revenues for January are as high as $30 - $35 million short...read more

Here are excerpts from some of the e-mail newsletters that Idaho Democratic lawmakers sent home to their constituents during Week 4 of the 2009 Idaho Legislature. If you would like to receive regular updates from your legislators - Democrat or Republican - be sure to let them know.

Rep. John Rusche (District 7) - The discussion on how to fund K-12 education has started. Unfortunately, significant...read more