No Kings Rally Speech: 3/20/26

Hello and welcome Nampa Residents and my fellow Idahoans or as my granddaughter used to say Hidehohans.

I first want to say how sorry I am for your recent tragic loss of Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam. Although I did not know him personally, I have read about what a good man he was to his family, friends and to this community. I know that he will be missed.

My name is Beth Ann McFalls, and I am running for State Representative for District 10 which is Star, Middleton, and parts of Nampa and Caldwell. Even though I haven’t won, I actually did get arrested the other day for impersonating a politician since I was in a office and doing nothing (pause). I am just one of the many courageous democrats running for office this year. I am here at this No Kings Rally because I believe as many of you do, that what is happening in our Nation in Washington DC and under this current administration is also happening here in Idaho. These protests that we are a part of, are so incredibly important and loudly demonstrates that ‘We the People’ STILL have the power to save this country from an authoritarian regime.

These protests let our current politicians know in Idaho and Washington DC, that we will NOT just stand by and accept what is currently being done. Our constitutionally protected first amendment rights are being threatened. People who are peacefully protesting are being arrested, assaulted, and even (pause) murdered on the street.

The right to ‘due process’ is basically being ignored for immigrants, legally here or not, as well as our own citizens. Fellow human beings, citizens or not, have been forcefully taken from their cars and homes and brought to detention camps, where it could take weeks, or months to be freed if they can’t afford a lawyer. And they may not even be allowed access to one. So many horrific examples of this have been documented in Minnesota. A state which was clearly targeted because of how their citizens voted in the 2024 election.

Currently, even our voting rights are now being challenged with the SAVE act that was passed by the House and is being voted on by the Senate. I am frightened that we don’t have enough support to successfully hold up this bill or kill it, and it MUST be killed. 

This bill could disenfranchise millions. It may potentially prevent married women from voting unless they are able to overcome a long and cumbersome process to produce the documents that will tie their current name to their birth certificate through a marriage license. Others may have to hurdle the time and extra costs to obtain a passport, which only 50% of Americans have. Regardless, everyone would need to reregister ‘in person’, and no longer be able to online or by mail, and in a state like Idaho, that alone will make it difficult and costly for the elderly and those who live in remote areas. 

Our Idaho US Senate and House representatives all support these extreme ‘Voter ID’ measures, and either are oblivious or simply don’t care how it affects all of us. Please call or write these senators NOW to tell them to kill this bill. 

This bill is likely to affect our upcoming November election, and we know that this is such an important election to try and turn around what has been happening. We have a real opportunity to change course by changing the majorities in the house and senate. If we can do that, we can keep this administration from continuing down this path of total control and power over this country. 

We must stop catering to the wealthy and start addressing the needs of most of the citizens in this state and country. Like reducing healthcare costs, that affects everyone I know. Like fully funding our public education for our children. Like making sure we have enough fire and police resources to keep our communities safe. Like finding real solutions to the housing crisis here and all over the country. Like protecting our Public Lands. Once they have been sold to wealthy interests, we can never get them back. Like protecting our environment to help slow the obvious effects of climate change. 

So many of our politicians are focusing on things that don’t help us address these issues that we face every day; gas prices, grocery bills, healthcare costs, safe and affordable housing. In Idaho our legislature are passing laws on who can use a restroom and handing out money for charter schools and taking away programs that are needed by our children in the public schools. They are repealing Medicaid expansion that our citizens voted for in 2018. I don’t know how that can even be legal.

And now we have another WAR … with Iran! This could become another forever war with huge costs in human life; spending money that could be used to help our fellow Americans. Our President asked for help from our European allies. Germany responded with a question. What is 4 plus 5? Trump answered 9 (NEIN), and Germany said EXACTLY!

I personally care about fellow human beings, no matter their race, or ethnicity, or religion or sexual preference! I care about their inalienable rights for freedom and pursuit of happiness.  I believe in finding ways to help them get what they need from our government in return for the many taxes they pay. It is time for the majority of the American citizens to be put FIRST as well as prove our country’s humanity by taking care of those who need a helping hand. 

I believe WE can do better!

Thank you and please VOTE this November!

Beth Ann McFalls for Idaho State Representative (District 10)

Why am I running? I no longer want to just sit back watching the news on TV and FaceBook feeds feeling frustrated and powerless with what is happening in our state and country.

I am concerned that our current legislature is focusing on making laws and restrictions that are not wanted or helpful to the majority of our citizens in Idaho.

I believe WE can do better!

Many of the laws being proposed and passed seem to be mostly about taking away rights and dignity from anyone they do not like instead of insuring that our citizens can afford healthcare, housing, and groceries. That our children have completely funded public education. That our public lands are protected and not sold off to wealthy interests.

I agree that most people in Idaho do want enforcement of our immigration laws and to have safe borders, including me. And yes, it is important that immigrants with a criminal history and criminal convictions be deported. But every human being should be treated with dignity as well as the ‘due process’ that is guaranteed by the Constitution. Remember that immigrants here illegally are violating ‘civil laws’, and many who are apprehending them are actually committing ‘criminal laws’ by breaking windows, dragging them out of their cars and homes; especially when they are doing it to our fellow US Citizens without warrants. These US citizens are getting targeted simply because they have a different color of skin, it has happened even to our own local law enforcement.

I believe WE can do better!

Of course, it is also paramount that our important state and local programs are fully funded to protect those most in need. Currently there are shortfalls in the budget due partly to the recent tax breaks given to the wealthy who really don’t need it. Too many times, they are cutting critical programs that affect our fellow citizens. Just recently the House passed a resolution to repeal Medicaid Expansion that had been passed by the voters in 2018!

Where are we headed?

I think we need to make changes and not let just the extreme voices in our state determine our priorities. Let us try and bring back balance and moderate perspectives back to the Idaho House and Senate.

Is your vote currently being take for granted? Vote for the person not the party. Help change the direction so that Idaho issues are addressed and not ignored. Regardless, please VOTE, every VOTE counts.