Republicans to focus on school vouchers, DEI, immigration as Idaho Legislature returns

Idaho lawmakers are preparing to head back to the Capitol for the upcoming legislative session next week .

The Republican supermajority picked up three seats at the Statehouse after the November general election.

The coming months could spell some controversial changes to state law.

Debates to anticipate include another big push to shell out some public dollars to families who send children to private schools.

The state’s abortion ban prompted several lawsuits, including from doctors and women who said the ban put pregnant patients who had serious health complications at risk.

Democrats and some Republicans have supported expanding the exceptions to let pregnant patients whose health is at risk to access abortion care.

Lawmakers could discuss making changes to the definitions in the law, which doctors have said lack medical terminology.

Idaho is one of 13 states that don't tax food, but it also increases the cost of food for Idaho residents.

Gov. Brad Little said he's open to the idea of repealing the grocery tax, but said doing so will require discussion about what items qualify as “food’s”.