The world is a bit hysterical these days, there is a palatable fear about the virus and public health. But we must be careful to prevent fear from destroying freedom. People should not be forced into medical decisions they are not comfortable with—especially in an experimental setting. The Declaration of Independence states “…all Men are […]
Dateline: BOISE, IDAHO, February 2021 — When you hit the neighborhood grocery store to do your weekly shopping trip for eggs, milk, bread, fruits and other staples, you pay the cost of the groceries plus an additional 6% in state sales tax which goes into the state general fund. The grocery tax brings in about […]
By Ronald Nate, Ph.D. and Lindsey Zea Idaho laws put clear limits on local governments’ taxing, spending, and regulating ability. As sure as water runs downhill though, local governments push for more money and more control. Here’s an example. Let’s say your local school district needs a new high school. In Idaho, the way it […]
What if we bought groceries the same way we “buy” public education? Each community would have a local grocery district and families would be assigned their local grocery “stores.” Many would mistakenly think the food is free because there would be no charge at the public grocer for what you consume. It would all be […]
Last week activist groups flooded the Idaho Capitol to argue for adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Civil Rights section of Idaho law. The recurring campaign to “add the words” ebbs and flows. It resurfaces in varying degrees annually, though the legislature repeatedly and consistently rejects their proposal. These groups believe adding the […]
The legislative session has officially concluded for 2018. This year there were 1,600 pieces of drafted legislation, 950 bills introduced in committee, and 607 total bills printed and considered. That’s a lot of legislating going on. If you’re like me, you’re probably a bit nervous about seeing so many new bills and new laws. I […]
Since 2011, Idaho tax revenue has increased by an average of 5.4% per year. This is strong growth in state revenues following the so-called “great recession.” Now, put this number beside the growth in state spending over the same period. The state’s spending (appropriations) from the General Fund are growing faster and have exceeded revenue […]
Idaho is a conservative state, but the policies coming out of the State Legislature are not conservative. (See the adoption of Common Core in 2010, the Obamacare exchange in 2014, the huge gas tax and hybrid fee increase in 2015, and the huge spending increases last year and projected again for this year). People across Idaho […]
The federal government is on an unsustainable course, it is sinking, but we don’t have to sink with it. Right now, the national debt is approaching $19.75 trillion (U.S. Treasury). With current GDP in the U.S. at $18.45 trillion (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis), our debt-to-GDP ratio is at 107% re-approaching the WWII record. This […]
The first three weeks of the 2016 legislative session are in the books. As usual, it is a very busy time. Week one began with the Legislative Session being officially opened and the Governor delivering his State of the State address to a joint session of the Idaho Legislature. The Governor was bold in his […]