Representative Stephanie Mickelsen

Representative for Idaho District 32 -- Bonneville County

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Fraudulent documents are getting more sophisticated and easier to obtain.

If paperwork can pass verification for a few hundred dollars, the system needs strengthening. What changes would make employment verification more secure?

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

If we mandate E-Verify, it needs to be reliable.

The current system does not use strong biometric safeguards and creates risk for businesses. How do we build a verification system that employers can actually trust?

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Secure the border. Fix immigration law. Enforce what we pass.

For decades, Washington has talked about reform and failed to act. What should Congress do first to actually solve this?

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

The question isn’t whether Americans can do these jobs. It’s why fewer are willing to.
What changed in our workforce culture?

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Right-sizing government requires discipline and planning.

Eliminating Idaho’s only state SWAT team, reducing state police, and furloughing workers would weaken public safety. Slower emergency response puts families at risk.

Leadership requires structure, not destruction.

#IdahoLegislature #PublicSafety #IdahoBudget #Leadership #Government

[Rob Smith @robsmithonline]

The American public school system is a MESS.

Crowded.

Chaotic.

Sometimes VIOLENT. School Choice is ONE answer - but are public schools also being hurt by TOO MUCH regulation?

@RaineyCenter LAMP member and Idaho State Rep. @sjwmick thinks so:

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Budget cuts carry real consequences.

Cuts lead to furloughs, slower emergency response times, and higher risks on Idaho roads. Mental health funding cuts removed programs that kept high-risk individuals stable. Since those cuts, Idaho has seen deaths and increased domestic violence.

Responsible budgeting requires discipline and accountability.

#IdahoBudget #PublicSafety #MentalHealth #IdahoLegislature #Leadership

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Counties Are Feeling the Budget Cuts

Met today with county commissioners, sheriffs, and the Idaho Potato Commission.

Cuts to Medicaid mental health services don’t vanish. They land in the criminal justice system.
Cuts to road planning funds stall critical projects. Bonneville County alone lost $5.6M.
We need smarter budget decisions so counties can recover next year.

#IdahoLegislature #IdahoBudget #Infrastructure #PublicSafety #Medicaid

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Balancing Idaho’s budget will be one of the toughest challenges this session.

Revenue is down, needs are up, and the decisions we make will directly affect education, public safety, infrastructure, and property taxes statewide.

Rolling back Medicaid expansion doesn’t eliminate costs. It shifts them to property taxpayers in every county.

I’ll keep you informed as this session moves forward.

#IdahoLegislature #IdahoBudget #Medicaid #PropertyTaxes #Education

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

From your smartphone to your home security system, EVERYTHING takes energy...but MORE is needed.

The Department of @Energy estimates that by 2030, we’ll need to expand our transmission systems by 60%!

By 2050, that number may TRIPLE!

In this @thepostregister Op-ed I explain how I'll spearhead exploring how to expand Idaho's energy infrastructure during our next legislative session:

https://t.co/FICQdH04Tq

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@BoiseBrooke Sorry to hear about your dad. We love you!!

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@brian_lenney What’s your actual solution? I understand your frustration, but completely abandoning public schools doesn’t work.

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@TommyAhlquist Wishing you many more years ahead.

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@BerntForIdaho He is one fine gentleman!

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

https://t.co/AZVNXTTZur

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Do you let the bullies tell the community and legislators what to do or do you stand up? Bonneville GOP calls state legislators on the carpet https://t.co/Ww8ENEjscd via @thepostregister

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@jen_visser Let’s hope we can stop 🛑 them in their tracks.

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@ImAtMyWhitsEnd @stopidahorinos @brian_lenney Our current rate of pay is over $16/hour with benefits of insurance, housing, retirement, etc. If ag labor goes up much more people will have serious food insecurity issues. They won’t be able to afford food.

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@f18grouch We already invest millions in technology. The technology isn’t advanced enough yet. As for hiring American workers, we would be happy to, if only they would apply.

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

Idaho easily leads the West in per capita farm income | Idaho Farm Bureau https://t.co/sUQxfeTgmX

[Representative Stephanie Mickelsen @sjwmick]

@WhiteJoshuaL @brian_lenney Thank you for those thoughtful comments. I would disagree that H2A wages lower the wages in the community. They have actually done the opposite and have helped wages increase in our area. I support legal immigration and a stable work force!