Utah legislators recently learned an important lesson: People don’t like tax hikes on their milk, cheese, bacon and butter. Idaho lawmakers should learn from Utah’s experience. I fear they won’t. Allow me to recap the story. Late last year, Utah Republicans built a tax reform proposal they said would be good for the state’s economy. […]
One of the important purposes of the State Republican Winter Meeting held in Boise this month was to recognize those from throughout the state who are outstanding in their public service. Nominations are invited from all counties, and the Hall of Fame Committee, made up of state and region leadership, considers those nominations for excellence […]
As I look to 2020, I can see a great 12 months that could further cement Idaho’s status as the freest, most liberty-loving state in the union. To arrive there, though, we need more liberty-oriented partisanship, not less. That word — the p-word — has become dirty in some circles. Some, typically journalists, and left-leaning […]
Idahoans are crying for help, and it’s imperative that all government officials — from lawmakers in the Statehouse to the mosquito abatement district administrator — look for solutions to ease property tax burdens. According to state data, local governments took roughly $1.91 billion from Idahoans through property taxes in 2018, a 6.4% hike over 2017. […]
Since state Rep. Barb Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, first criticized Boise State University’s spending on radical social justice programs, the left has tried to paint conservatives as knuckle-dragging Neanderthals, sexists, and racists. Misguided people on the left don’t want you to understand that conservatives work to make college accessible to all. Conservatives believe that all people, […]
Test results are out and, again, things aren’t wonderful in Idaho schools. In fact, recent data points are downright concerning to those paying attention. Recently, the state released results from last school year’s Idaho Reading Indicator tests, exams administered to kids in kindergarten through third grade. The exams revealed that roughly 70 percent of kids […]
The idea of “separation of powers” is expressly mentioned in Article II, section 1, of the Idaho Constitution. It states that “persons in one branch shall not exercise any authority belonging to another.” The idea is that the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are to be kept separate to provide a system of checks […]
The Post Register’s Editorial Board recently invited people to “defend their” right to propose and vote on legislation through Idaho’s initiative process. The Board expressed concern the legislature will usurp the initiative process by placing conditions on the initiative process in “violation” of the people’s right to propose and vote on legislation. Unfortunately, the Board […]
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the state GOP summer meeting where we elected a new state party chair. Together with 110 other voting members, I was honored to cast my vote for Raul Labrador. I’m also happy to announce Labrador won the razor-close contest by only two votes. Bonneville County Republican […]