CANYON CITY — Voices for and against moving Idaho’s border once again came to the Grant County Court to discuss the idea.

The Grant County Court held the second of three public meetings this year to talk about the issue on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Proponents say they are not being listened to by legislators in Salem and cite over-taxation and regulation as barriers to growth and prosperity. They say the region would do better as part of Idaho, where governance is more conservative and where they believe the values of the state align more with the people of Eastern Oregon.

“Our voices are not heard by the state government,” said Sandie Gilson, Grant County captain for Move Oregon’s Border and a member of the leadership team of Citizens for Greater Idaho, who attended the meeting and spoke in response to a number of other county residents who are in opposition to the idea of a border move.

“We had the governor come through here,” Gilson said. “Who did she meet with? Why wasn’t there a town hall, so we could all talk to her and share our ideas with her? She is supposed to be representative of everybody, and we’re not getting it. We’re being told by Idaho that Idaho would represent us.”

Since the formation of the group, voters in 11 Eastern Oregon counties, including Baker and Grant counties, have approved ballot measures endorsing the idea of joining Idaho.

A ballot measure passed two years ago requires the Grant County Court to discuss the idea of becoming part of Idaho on the first Wednesday of April, August and December. The measure passed with 62% of the vote.

A group of 10 or so local residents came to the Grant County Court meeting on April 5 to offer what appeared to be the first organized opposition to the idea of moving the Idaho border to encompass Eastern Oregon, some wearing matching green T-shirts with the outline of the state of Idaho and text that read “Just Say No to Idaho.”

According to the opposition group, moving Idaho’s borders to encompass Eastern Oregon wouldn’t be a good idea, with some members citing Idaho’s lower minimum wage, fewer benefits and less access to health care.

Dayville resident Shelley Wyllie, a member of the group, spoke on April 5 and again at the Aug. 2 county court meeting. She said the Greater Idaho Movement is using “divisive language and misrepresenting both the truth and facts, which in turn is creating division and harming our communities.”

“We know the west side provides much funding for our county’s infrastructure and they also provide demand for the agricultural products that are produced on the east side,” she said. “We need to develop relationships with legislators and state agencies so we can offer ideas of compromise.”

Rick Minster, a John Day resident present at the court meeting, said he was concerned about Idaho being placed last in recent years when it comes to per-student funding for education.

“I’m thinking if we’re really interested in improving our community and improving our economy, we have to pay attention to education,” he said.

In response, Gilson cited a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking that listed Idaho higher in education, at No. 22 compared to Oregon’s No. 39. She also cited the same media outlet’s recent ranking of Idaho as the third-best state to live in. (Oregon was ranked 23rd.)

Bear Valley resident Adele Cerny, a former elementary school teacher and Seneca school administrator, called for more collaboration between Eastern and Western Oregon.

“I guess the best analogy for me is, if you don’t like the way things are going on the playground, pick up your ball and go home or you figure out ways to get along, and then you have a lot more fun,” she said. “This county has been very successful in the past and I hope will continue to do so by being at the table. … Being at the table is what makes things happen.”

Gilson said her group has met with a number of state legislators and added she’s open to more dialogue with those who disagree with moving Idaho’s border. She said her door is always open.

“We are out there talking to people, and we are meeting with them one on one and we have requested repeatedly to meet with all leaders,” she said. ”They are choosing not to meet with us because they continue to say we’re not important. This is one of the ways we can say we are important and we need to be listened to and that we need to be heard. This is not a representative or collaborative government, and I would like a representative or collaborative government — and I see that in Idaho.”