b'2023 WPMA State ReportIDAHOPetroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association Report2024 Legislative & Elections Preview OVERVIEW didnt change, the mix of new players certainly didLooking toward the with changes at all levels. From party leadership, 2024 legislative session and to committee chairmen, to the make-up of the upcoming election cyclecommittees themselves, 2023 was a make-over 2024 Legislative SessionBudget Battle in theyear. And what 2024 brings is anyones guessMaking: All quiet on the western front, at least forbut likely a mix of election-year grandstanding, Suzanne Budgenow, as we look toward 2024. At the Statehouse,political maneuvering and intraparty conflict as IPM&CSAExecutive Director the Legislature will be dealing with a slowingboth GOP and Democrats make their case to their rate of growth as Idaho revenues have, for theconstituent voters. first quarter of the new fiscal year, come in belowSupporting Our Supporters: With 44 legislative expectations. This is a change after five years ofdistricts and 105 races in play, we will be watching steady growth, including during the pandemicas the process unfolds both at the Statehouse for when Idaho, like all states, was showered withthe 2024 session and in the upcoming primary and federal money like manna from heaven. The dif- general election season. At IPM&CSA we will be ference here though is that Idaho runs a tight ship,talking to legislators and candidates to help them and all that free money was a significant in- better understand our industry. The IPM&CSA crease in our historic revenue stream, driving moreboard will be making a list, and checking it twice, than 20% annual increases. Thats real money,in determining which candidates to support in especially in Idaho. And now much of those fundsthe May Primary election and in the November are sitting in piggy banks around the state, waitingGeneral Election. As Idaho continues to grow, we to be delved out for one-time projects or savedare increasingly challenged to help our elected for the next rainy day. Look for a bud- officials understand the importance our members get tug of war between legislatorsplay in Idahos successful and growing economy. and the governor in 2024 as theyPossible BALLOT Initiative?seek to balance their competing- Should Idaho Create apriorities. Legislative budgetNew Election Process?writers, for the first time, will prepare their own budgetAdd this hot button political issue to the 2024 rather than rely on what theelection cycle - a proposed ballot measure to governor and his administra- eliminate the closed GOP Primary election and tive agencies propose. Thisto implement Rank Choice Voting in Idaho. This departure from tradition, andchange would be a dramatic remake of Idahos the strong personalities behindelection process and would eliminate the two-the decision, will make for a newparty system that has been in place for decades. dynamic as the next state budget isProponents are gathering signatures to put this prepared. Get out the popcorn and graboverhaul in election law on the 2024 November a seat. This will be worth watching.ballot, an idea hotly opposed by the GOP Party leadership and most conservatives. Proponents Election Cycle 2024Whos In & Whos Out?for the measure include the far-left group Re-Also in 2024, legislators will be assessing theirclaim Idaho but also some of Idahos mainstream political future as they face the next bi-annualbusiness community, as well election cycle. No statewide offices are on the bal- as more moderate GOP lot this year, but all 105 legislators will be, alongnotables including for-with both of Idahos Congressmen. Neither of ourmer Governor Butch U.S. Senators are in cycle in 2024. We are alreadyOtter. Advocates hearing about election rematches in some legisla- claim that chang-tive districts and retirements from those readying Idahos election to move on. Recall that the 2022 election cyclelaw will get rid of brought a turnover of more than 50% at the Idahoextremists in the Statehouse, as redistricting, retirements, and elec- political system, or tion upsets brought many new faces to Boise forat least minimize them the 2023 session. Although GOP balance of powerin holding elected office. 22 www.wpma.com / Winter 2023'