BOISE, Idaho — Idaho House representatives voted Monday, 46-24, to advance “House Joint Memorial 1.” In it, they write that they reject the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in “Obergefell v. Hodges” and demand that it be overturned.

That’s the landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage across the country during Obama’s second term.

“It’s strange to me that in 2025 there are people in the legislature who hate the LGBTQ community so much that they’re trying to take us backwards in this way,” said Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman, the Idaho State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

She also testified against the letter in front of the Idaho House of Representatives.

“The legislature is wasting time just trying to destroy marriages. Marriages like mine, that, I don’t understand how our marriage affects somebody so greatly. Like we’re just here living our lives with our kids and our family,” DelliCarpini-Tolman added.

North Idaho Republican Representative Heather Scott (R) presented the proposal, which spurred debate on the House floor.

“This is not a memorial about defining marriage. It’s about who gets to define marriage. Do we want the state to make those decisions, or do we want to allow the Supreme Court to make those decisions?” Scott said.

“This is just a letter. It has no force of law. The courts are going to toss it in the trash. It really accomplishes nothing. It’s a waste of time and money. I object,” Representative Todd Achilles (D) said, opposing the memorial.

“We could go hours and hours pointing to Bible verses and scripture that validates the institution of marriage given by God. And how it’s between a man and a woman,” Representative Clint Hostetler (R) said, in support of the memorial.

“This memorial flies in the face of freedom and should be rejected,” Representative John Gannon (D) said, in opposition of the memorial.

It’s important to note this memorial is not a law. What it is, is a way to send a public message about the legislature’s sentiment on this issue — a message that Mistie says is deeply flawed.

“Even if this letter does nothing, even if the Supreme Court throws it away, this is sending a message to the LGBTQ community in Idaho, who already are feeling attacked,” DelliCarpini-Tolman said. “You can’t tell me that my family isn’t valid. You can’t tell me that my marriage isn’t valid. You can’t tell my kids that their mom’s love isn’t valid. Like, that’s not something you should be legislating.”

HJM1 now makes its way to the Idaho Senate to be heard.

The following is a news release from AAA Idaho.

BOISE – So close, and yet, so far. AAA reports that Idaho’s average price for a gallon of regular gas hovered just above the $3 mark for another week.

But on a positive note, drivers in some parts of the state are currently celebrating a price that begins with a “2.”

Idaho drivers are paying an average of $3.04 per gallon of regular Monday, which is half a penny more than a week ago, but about five cents cheaper than a month ago and 13 cents more than a year ago. The national average currently sits at $3.12 per gallon, which is about the same as a week ago, but nine cents more than a month ago and two cents more than a year ago.

Idaho is in 22nd place for most expensive fuel – another welcome reprieve from being in the top ten.

“Plenty of Idaho gas stations are already below three bucks, and we’re hopeful that the state average will get there at some point,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “After topping $80 for a barrel of crude oil in mid-January, prices have been steadily dropping for the past couple of weeks, which may translate to additional savings at the pump.”

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is currently trading near $73 per barrel, which is $3 less than a week ago, but $2 more than a month ago and $5 per barrel less than a year ago. If the cost of crude continues to fall, gas prices could follow.

Here’s a look at Idaho gas prices, as of Jan. 27:

Boise – $3.00
Coeur d’Alene – $2.91
Franklin – $3.01
Idaho Falls – $3.04
Lewiston – $3.05
Pocatello – $3.07
Rexburg – $3.08
Twin Falls – $3.10

We drive by many of these places and probably never consider what’s inside.  Like the old line that you can’t judge a book by its cover, many of Idaho’s churches don’t look ordinary on the outside.  Then you walk inside and you’re stunned.

There’s history at these places.  In Helena, Montana, the Roman cathedral was funded by immigrants who made fortunes mining.  They thanked God for their fortunes by building a house of worship.

When the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was constructed, Boise was still a small city. Many Catholic immigrants saved their nickels and dimes to build the church, and the same is true for most denominations. Planting a church eventually means a permanent home is needed. Some fine modern buildings exist, but most have been built frugally, and many of the old stone masons and craftsmen are scarce today.

There’s an old Episcopal Cathedral a few blocks away from St. John, but I didn’t have time to explore.  I was in Boise for the March for Life, and there was a Mass for Life before the rally celebrated by the Roman Catholic Diocese.

After the rally, there was a reception in the basement of the church with cookies and coffee. There are no concrete blocks in the foundation.  The work was hard.  Stones were hewn and then sealed with mortar.  It looks like it could stand for millennia.

I’m reminded that the oldest still-standing building in Idaho is a church.  The Cataldo Mission is a testament that someone recognized indigenous peoples were fully human and children of God.  History shouldn’t overlook the positive aspects of our past.