As President Donald Trump and DOGE push for reforms at the federal level, many large corporations are shifting their influence and strategies to the state level. This shift is particularly evident in Idaho, where corporate lobbyists and industry associations are playing an increasingly dominant role in funding and influencing legislators to shape legislation. Legislation that directly benefits big businesses while sidelining small businesses and individual constituents. Regardless of whether it is tax policy, technology, healthcare, agriculture, or energy, corporations should never be given carveouts or special privileges that individuals do not get. With the 2025 Idaho legislative session well underway, my concerns over corporate influence are at an all-time high.
Last year The Idaho Dairyman’s Association admitted to legislators that 70% of their workforce likely were undocumented workers. This week a good bill to address the illegal immigration issue in Idaho was abandoned for a new bill to grant work authorization to illegals in a certain industry. This not only sounds unconstitutional but could ultimately turn Idaho into a sanctuary state. I wonder if President Trump is watching Idaho. If not maybe it’s time to pick up the hotline.
Last year, Bayer (the global corporation that owns Monsanto) made three attempts in the legislature to pass an immunity bill. This bill aimed to remove their liability for glyphosate-related health effects on Idaho citizens. This year, I’m watching lobbyists blanket social media on the same issue, framing themselves as victims of the litigation industry. The energy industry is now following Bayer’s lead asking for immunity from litigation for certain actions. All this while language to create the infrastructure for private public partnerships are being pushed.
Another example of corporate influence came when the House Agriculture Committee killed my bill (HB24) to require proper labeling of fake meat and insect-based food products in Idaho. Who wouldn’t want clear labeling for Idaho citizens? What’s the hidden agenda?
The bill was shut down by the Idaho Food Producers, and when I looked into their membership, I was surprised. There are several major global corporations from outside Idaho, that are part of this industries’ lobby group. Syngenta, a member of the Idaho Food Producers, is a 100% China owned company! While Syngenta claims to help farmers with crop protection and seed technology, it has faced controversy in the past and accusations of selling toxic chemicals with significant environmental impacts.
Can Anything Be Done?
While lobbying is a legitimate part of our governmental process, the sheer scale of corporate involvement raises concerns about monopolies, transparency and the representation of everyday Idahoans. As the legislative session progresses this year, it is important to keep a close watch on corporate influence and ensure legislators are advocating for policies that prioritize the rights and well-being of all Idahoans. Citizens cast votes, not corporations. The growing presence of corporate lobbyists should not overshadow the voices of the people. Every year it seems there is more connectivity between many big corporations and the heavily subsidized agriculture industry. More and more they act like a monopoly and maybe it’s time taxpayers start digging into some of their subsidies and exemptions.
Idaho voters play a crucial role in holding their elected officials and corporations accountable. By staying informed, engaging with legislators, and demanding greater government transparency and less pet legislation, citizens can help ensure that Idaho’s government serves the needs of people rather than the profits of corporations.
3 replies on “Citizens Should be Concerned About the Rise of Corporate Lobbying in Idaho”
Thank you so much for this article. It’s excellent, and at the same time very concerning! I don’t worry about you and the other constitution-minded legislators; however, there is a large segment of Republican legislators who I do not trust at all. They quite frequently vote with the Democrats and they seem to favor lobbyists. Both things would SEEM to testify that they are not exactly “Republican” in mindset.
I urge citizens to be aware of who is representing you and to find out if those legislators actually have your best interest at heart. There are a good number of corporate suck-ups in our legislature, all vying for funds to get re-elected, with quid pro quos up the wazoo. The corporations and special interest groups are only too happy to oblige.
IDAHO IS NOT HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION — BUT THAT COULD BE CHANGED, IF PEOPLE WOULD DO SOMETHING!! (Wake up and open their eyes and minds!)
We must have been typing at the same time since we both wrote the same thing. Thank you. Let’s pray there will be more of us in the future.
Our problem is not too many corporation lobbyists; Our real problem is that Idaho has too many legislators without morals and ethics; those who support the lobbyists. These legislators are more concerned for money in their pocket, directly and indirectly to their cronies than they are for the welfare of Idaho citizens. The only way for Idahoans to solve this issue is for the citizens to get rid of these money seeking legislators; vote them out in our Primary elections. Citizens need to wake up and become educated. Just because there is an (R) behind a name, it doesn’t mean that person has Republican morals and values for the benefit of Idaho citizens. Thank you Heather for your efforts. Keep up the good work.