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Opinions / Op-eds

Legislature Moves Forward with The Great Reset

Senate bill 1159 was signed by Governor Little on March 30, 2023.  This bill appropriates $100 million to expand broadband access and infrastructure throughout rural Idaho that will provide internet access for Idaho citizens.  With Senate Bill 1129 it brings the total to $225 million for broadband infrastructure. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?  Everyone will be able to get on […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

New Republican Legislators Lead Return to Conservative Principles

In July of 2022, the Republican Party gathered in Twin Falls for our summer convention to elect new leadership of the party. The grassroots came together and overwhelmingly voted for change from the top down, setting a mandate that the party return to conservative principles.  When I took the gavel, I made a commitment to […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

Property Tax Relief? Not really

Idaho’s Uni-Party of Legislators screws Idaho property owners again. The headline reads: Property owners once again get screwed on their property taxes. Idaho’s legislature overrode Governor Littles’s veto on property taxes relief. “hip hip hooray”, don’t cheer until you realize that this 13% cut will be insignificant for the majority of Idaho’s property owners. The […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Do Not Let Violence Become the Norm: Make HB71 Idaho Law

Violent activists entered the capitol building — vandalizing public facilities, threatening legislators, assaulting law enforcement, and interrupting official proceedings. Some readers might be thinking of January 6, 2021. But the sentence above actually describes events that took place this week, at the statehouse in Nashville, Tennessee.  Radical leftists, some wearing satanic garb, stormed the Tennessee […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

Cronyism is alive and well in Idaho

Yes, folks Cronyism is alive and well in Idaho and while they tell you this is for the Kido’s we must wonder why Governor Little pushed so hard to get this bill passed. I would venture to say that this bill was the brainchild of Idaho’s largest lobbyists the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry […]

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John Livingston

‘The People’s Business’?

I have tremendous respect for people who expose themselves and their families to the rigors of a political campaign and the sacrifices that are made while serving in the legislature, or as a government appointee. Putting their ideas and political philosophies on the line takes political courage. I am more often than I wish left […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

“Cronyism” triggers committee chair in Idaho senate

This article published with permission of the Idaho Freedom Foundation Want to know how to get escorted out of a committee hearing in the Idaho capitol? It’s easy; just shine a light on how a proposed bill benefits the donors to Governor Little. That’s what I did, and the committee chair, Senator Kevin Cook, immediately […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Idaho budget writers again give cover to leftism on college and university campuses

This article published with permission of the Idaho Freedom Foundation While other Republican-controlled states are making moves to contain the leftism incubators that are their public colleges and universities, Idaho lawmakers are gearing up to do the opposite. The Legislature’s budget committee voted Thursday to continue funding woke positions and programs at Boise State University, […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

The latest hot debate in the Idaho legislature is whether to give “illegal immigrants” driver’s licenses or not. Recently on-air Kevin Miller asked me about my thoughts on the topic, given the circumstances a partial answer was all I gave. My full answer on this topic is much different from both the Democrats and Republicans.  […]

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John Livingston

Silencing the Free Market Lambs

Cronyism at its worst in Idaho-Pay up to get paid back. I am no longer associated with the Idaho Freedom Foundation. I believe in their principles, and I believe in their commitment to small government and liberty ideals. Ron Nate has been an incredible addition to the organization, and it will be because of people […]

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John Livingston

Kumbaya

(The contents of this article are the opinion of the author and not necessarily of the Gem State Patriot.) Repeal the Grocery Tax—ASAP Property tax relief with a “mark to sale” property tax vs a “mark to market” tax—this session—please and thank you. Accountability of government agencies (DHW) and (DE) that are conduits for over […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Idahoans Are Getting Screwed on Property Tax Relief

Idahoans have been suffering from increases in property tax, especially over the last few years. The cost of people moving here from out of state, and the impact that has on our city infrastructures has only added to this burden. There are two bills currently being held in committees that would help ease the burden […]

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