Bob Neugebauer welcomes Ron Nate, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, to the Idaho Pulse for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of Idaho’s legislative session. Nate opens with a detailed breakdown of the state’s budget crisis, explaining how six years of spending growth—fueled significantly by federal COVID-era funding—has now pushed Idaho into a budget […]
Bob Neugebauer welcomes Ron Nate, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, back to the Idaho Pulse for a weekly legislative update that paints a troubling picture of Idaho’s current session. Nate details a growing list of serious bills being killed by committee chairs: CPS reform legislation that would inform parents of their rights, cloud seeding […]
Reconciling Economic Contributions with Fiscal Costs An Analysis of Competing Data and Perspectives on Unauthorized Workers The February 2026 release of an economic impact study by the Idaho Alliance for a Legal Workforce has reignited debates about unauthorized immigration’s role in Idaho’s economy. While the study projects devastating economic consequences if unauthorized workers are removed, […]
Bob Neugebauer welcomes Idaho Freedom Foundation President Ron Nate to the Idaho Pulse for a sweeping discussion of the battles shaping the 2026 Idaho legislative session. The conversation opens with the historic and controversial Convention of States vote, which passed the Idaho House 36 to 34 for the first time in state history. Nate details […]
Nearly two decades ago, I stood with millions of American taxpayers in demanding an end to bailouts, crony capitalism, and endless government spending. The Tea Party movement was a wake-up call to the political class that the working people of America were fed up. How simple it seems looking back. If you had told me […]
Bob Neugebauer and Ron Nate examine the Article 5 convention resolution that passed House State Affairs Committee 9-4, with chief sponsor John Schertz leading the charge to make Idaho the 29th state calling for a constitutional convention. Nate systematically dismantles three fatal flaws: conventions cannot be restricted to balanced budget amendments despite assurances, Idaho would […]
In 2024, the Convention of States (COS) was actively urging Idaho to pass resolutions advancing its agenda to call for a Constitutional Convention for amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Rep. Tanner, and others, supported a resolution for term limits, Sen. Ricks and Vander Woude supported a balanced budget resolution, while Sen. Lakey, and others, supported […]
As I sit in my “home away from home” on Whidbey Island, I’ve been following the legislative sessions in both Idaho and Washington State. The contrast between the two has been striking. I find myself impressed by how consistently conservative the few Republicans in the Washington Legislature remain, while so many Republicans in the Idaho […]
Bob Neugebauer and IFF President Ron Nate dissect Idaho’s self-inflicted budget crisis stemming from 60% spending increases over six years. Nate reveals the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s $1.9 billion in proposed cuts, including repealing Medicaid expansion and Idaho Launch. The discussion exposes how the governor’s acceptance of federal healthcare funding and workforce training programs benefits corporate […]
HB 517 was introduced to the legislature by Rep. Scott on January 22, 2026. The purpose of this legislation is to remove Idaho from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER). PNWER, “a nonpartisan public-private partnership” and non-profit organization, was established by IC Title 67 Chapter 78 in 1991, based on the idea that there was an emerging […]
Ongoing Fraud Investigations and Local Concerns Allegations of billions of dollars in fraud continue to surface in states such as Minnesota, with investigations now beginning in Maine and Ohio. These developments suggest that further abuse in misusing U.S. taxpayer money is likely to be uncovered. It would be naive to assume that Idaho is immune […]
Re: Request to Pause IDHW Childcare Appropriations Rep. Josh Tanner and I sent a letter to IDHW on New Year’s Eve. We’re demanding they halt new childcare grant payments until they get their house in order. >>You can read about that here But there’s still a tad bit of confusion about what this letter is […]