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Gem State Patriot 2024 GOP Primary Endorsements

U.S. Representative, District 1 — Russ FulcherU.S. Representative, District 2 — Scott Cleveland Legislative Dist. 1 — Senate — Scott HerndonLegislative Dist. 1 — House Seat A — Spencer HutchingsLegislative Dist. 1 — House Seat B — Cornel Rasor Legislative Dist. 2 — Senate — UNCONTESTED PRIMARYLegislative Dist. 2 — House Seat A — UNCONTESTED […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

Just How ‘Red’ is the State of Idaho?

You will be surprised Misinformation has become prevalent just about everywhere you look and here is an excellent example. There was an article published by the “Coeur d’ Alene/Post Falls Press on April 7 titled “Idaho is becoming redder” that caused me to write this piece. Our current Secretary of State Phil McGrane during a […]

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John Livingston

Turkey Sightings at the Capitol

My wife Lynn and I are privileged to live on The Plantation (now referred to as The River Club) golf course in Garden City. Every year we anxiously await the “coming home to roost” of the wild turkeys. This event seems to coincide with The Idaho Legislature winding down and always occurs during the last […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Sen. Jim Guthrie Thinks He’s a Dictator

Republished from the Idaho Freedom Foundation Idaho’s Legislature is a representative government — or so we thought. Instead of 105 legislators casting their votes on the hundreds of proposed law changes, bills often live or die at the whim of a single, stubborn, committee chair.  This session, Sen. Jim Guthrie has taken it upon himself […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Recommended Candidates

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC), the official Republican Party, has made their recommendations for the upcoming May Primary Election. The KCRCC candidate rating and vetting process is just that, a process involving questionnaires, interviews, candidate forums, due diligence, sub-committee reports, discussion, debate, and finally a vote by the full KCRCC. Candidates are initially […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Labrador Letter: Legislative Update

Dear Friends, The legislative session is drawing to a close and I wanted to provide you with a quick update on three bills of significant importance to my office, on the topics of Human Trafficking, Medicaid Fraud, and Internet Crimes Against Children. I am pleased to share that all three of these bills have moved […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Libraries & The Legislature

In the last and current legislative sessions, the issue of access to certain books by minors continues to be at the forefront, with many in support of or in opposition to several bills.  Current Idaho Statutes address the prohibition of obscene or indecent material, some including towards minors. Idaho Statute 23-614, Idaho Statute 18-4105, Idaho […]

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John Livingston

Product Placement

I remember when I was a young boy the old guard that ruled professional golf criticized the new up and coming golfer Jack Nicklaus because he wore a logo—a “Golden Bear” on his golf shirt. He also signed a contract that year with Hart Schaffner and Marks and started his own clothing line. The old […]

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John Livingston

Upon Further Review

As we get into the last part of the month of March, and our legislators in Boise start getting cabin fever, I thought it would be a good time to see how the agenda that leadership put before us at the beginning of the session is working out. It really seems to me that many […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Bill Passes Unanimously

[BOISE] – House Bill 494, the re-write of Idaho’s Human Trafficking laws, passed the Idaho Senate unanimously (35-0) on Wednesday, March 20th. The bill had previously passed the Idaho House unanimously (70-0) on March 5th. “The crime of human trafficking leaves a trail of victims and is an absolute stain on our communities,” said Attorney […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Call to Civic Duty: Voter Engagement is Crucial in Times of Uncertainty

We live in perilous times. With the threat of war abroad and a literal invasion taking place on our southern border, we desperately need leaders who will speak the truth and hold those in power to account.  Earlier this week, the Idaho House of Representatives had an opportunity to make a strong statement that the […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Balanced Budget & Term Limit Resolutions

On March 1, 2024, the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee (SJRC) voted to send SCR 114 and SCR 115 to the floor for a vote. SCR 114 addresses Term Limits, and SCR 115 addresses a Balanced Budget amendment (BBA). Both resolutions include the language “call a convention” or “calling of a convention of the states”. […]

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