Oregon, Idaho lawmakers discuss ‘Greater Idaho’ movement progress in closed-door Baker City meeting
(Update: Adding video, comments from Greater Idaho spokesperson)
'I feel like people in Eastern Oregon feel like they haven't been heard in a very long time'
BAKER CITY, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Lawmakers from Oregon and Idaho met 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 Oregon lawmakers in Salem and Portland.
State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, a Republican from Prineville, met 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 and Boyle’s bill to start discussing the movement with Oregon officials. Thursday's meeting is the first of those planned discussions.
Breese-Iverson said, “Over the last three years, the Greater Idaho movement has won in twelve of the 12 Eastern Oregon counties that have voted on this issue. As a state representative, I have a duty and responsibility to have conversations that could potentially better my constituents.”
“It is clear: People in Central and Eastern Oregon do not align with all the values of those in Portland and Eugene," the lawmaker added. "Is Greater Idaho the answer? I am not sure, but I am willing to turn over all the rocks possible, for the land and people I love.”
Mike McCarter, the leader of the movement, said, “We thank Rep. Breese-Iverson for participating in the conversation.”
On Friday, NewsChannel 21 talked with Greater Idaho spokesperson Matt McCaw about the meeting.
McCaw told us, "I feel like people in Eastern Oregon feel like they haven't been heard in a very long time, and that their way of life is not necessarily understood by the westside of the state."
"It has been a process of education and a process of bringing people along board," he said. "So it was very encouraging and great to see legislators saying, 'We're ready to take that next step.' Because that's where we're at -- the ball is in their court at this point. So this is progress for our movement. Yesterday was a good day."
The meeting was closed to the media and public, but a news conference was held afterward.
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?"
Voters in 13 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.
