STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Blaine County Democrats are hosting their annual Legislative Send-off by Zoom at 6 p.m. tonight—Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Local representatives will discuss what’s on the plate for the upcoming session during the Send-off.

Lawmakers are expected to address funding for full-day kindergarten—an idea that was introduced during the last legislative session. Proponents say it would improve early reading, given a recent Idaho study that showed that full-day kindergartners outpaced their half-day counterparts in reading.

There are also several initiatives that could frame discussions, including one by Reclaim Idaho to increase education funding, another initiative to legalize medical marijuana and a third to raise the $7.25 per hour minimum wage.

The state is heading into this legislative session with a $1.6 billion budget surplus.

To sign up for tonight’s Send-off, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82120919640?pwd=SVZjVDlEMGc2VlJkR1JXbVdVc3Nmdz09#success

Questions? Email blainecountydems@gmail.com