2023-10-19 18:46:13
BAKER CITY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Lawmakers from Oregon and Idaho are meeting at the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City Thursday to get updates about the Greater Idaho movement and discuss potential next steps.
The Greater Idaho movement has become a popular topic for residents and officials alike in Central and Eastern Oregon, with most supporters feeling Idaho better represents the interest of the people in their part of the state than do Oregon lawmakers in Salem and Portland.
Voters in several Oregon counties have approved measures that require their county officials to discuss the proposal, though it would need approval by both states’ lawmakers – and Congress – to actually happen.
State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, a Republican from Prineville, will meet with Idaho state representatives Judy Boyle, a Republican from Washington County, and Barbara Ehardt, a Republican from Twin Falls. Earlier this year, the Idaho House of Representatives passed Ehardt’s bill to start discussing the movement with Oregon officials. Thursday’s meeting is the first of those planned discussions.
Back in June, the Crook County Court voted to place a non-binding question about the Greater Idaho proposal on the county’s May 2024 ballot. On the ballot, the measure will read, “Should Crook County represent that its citizens support efforts to move the Idaho state border to include Crook County?”
KTVZ’s Blake Mayfield is speaking with Rep. Ehardt, as well as some Central Oregon residents for their thoughts on the movement. He’ll air his report tonight at Five on NewsChannel 21.
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