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Opinions / Op-eds

Of Course We Can Afford More Tax Cuts

Republished, with permission, from the Idaho Freedom Foundation Three tax-cut bills — four, if you include an education tax credit bill — are before the Idaho Legislature. And yes, they are all affordable. A Little History Over the past five years, ongoing and one-time tax cuts have reduced the tax take by $4.6 billion, of […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

The Pay Raise Fire Hose is Wide Open

Republished, with permission, from the Idaho Freedom Foundation Late last week, after several failed attempts, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Appropriation Committee (JFAC) set the state employee pay raise. Rather than a strict percentage, the pay raise, known as the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC), provides a $1.05 to $1.55 per hour increase range for most […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Idaho’s Proposed Social Studies Standards Embrace CRT

Republished, with permission, from the Idaho Freedom Foundation The Idaho Legislature will soon decide whether to approve the newly revised K-12 social studies standards (Standards) developed by the State Department of Education (SDE) over the past year. Last session, the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 116, directing the SDE to create standards that emphasize the […]

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Podcast

Conservative Coalition Pushes Back on Government Growth

A Conversation with Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Fiscal Reforms Face Federal Constraints Idaho legislators are advancing ambitious fiscal reforms amid growing concerns about federal dependency and ballooning state expenses, with particular focus on Medicaid expansion costs and tax relief measures totaling over $400 million. However, the state’s ability […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

87% of Idahoans Want the Grocery Tax Repealed

I have concluded that our legislators have forgotten that they work for the people and here is why. In a recent survey, we find that “Eighty-Seven” percent of Idahoans want the Grocery Tax repealed, yet many of our legislators seem to think we are better off if we keep this tax. Idaho is one of […]

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Podcast

Medicaid Expansion Education and Tax Reform

A Conversation with Rep. Josh Tanner (R-Dist. 14, Seat B) & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Fiscal Reforms Face Federal Constraints Idaho legislators are advancing ambitious fiscal reforms amid growing concerns about federal dependency and ballooning state expenses, with particular focus on Medicaid expansion costs and tax relief measures totaling over $400 […]

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John Livingston

Time for an Idaho DOGE

Political transactions and economic transactions are very different. In most of our daily economic transactions we give up something we want in the form of a tangible asset or our own valuable time. Since the days of the barter a tangible representation of the value of the asset or our time is needed to facilitate […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

How Idaho’s GOP is Shaping the State’s Future

The Idaho legislature is buzzing with activity, the passionate discourse among Idaho legislators and those testifying on this year’s session is palpable. The Idaho Republican Party hit the ground running this week delivering several Bills committed to reducing government spending and protecting traditional Idaho values. This impactful legislation is receiving solid public support with insightful […]

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Podcast

The Case for Economic Freedom vs Federal Dependency & The Economic Realities of Tariffs

A Conversation with Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Idaho’s Government Growth and Economic Freedom: A Critical Analysis The rapid expansion of Idaho’s state government, coupled with increasing federal dependency, raises serious concerns about the trajectory of what many consider a conservative stronghold. An examination of budget figures and agency […]

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Podcast

Idaho’s Conservative Battleground

A Conversation with Rep. Heather Scott & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Sovereignty In the marbled halls of Idaho’s capitol, a quiet revolution is brewing. Representative Heather Scott’s ambitious legislative agenda represents more than just a collection of bills – it’s a direct challenge to the status quo of federal-state relations and […]

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John Livingston

Nibling Around the Edges Again

Last week I went to a meeting at the State House Sponsored by the Idaho Majority Club. The meeting was informative and featured presentations by the co-chairs of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC), Senator Scot Grow and Representative Wendy Horman. Full disclosure, I have a professional relationship with Mr. Grow’s Accounting firm. We […]

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Podcast

Idaho State Senate Takes a Stand on Legislative Pay Raise

A Conversation with Sen. Christy Zito & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Legislative Pay Raise Controversy In a notable move that highlighted growing tensions over government spending, the Idaho Senate recently passed a resolution to reject a proposed legislative pay increase, only to see it halted in the House Ways and Means […]

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