Tax season is upon us—and this year brings more than deadlines, it is anticipated to deliver historic savings for Idahoans. It’s my honor to represent the First District of Idaho in the U.S. Congress. Here’s what you and your household need to know for this filing season. The Treasury is now projecting that family refunds will increase by an average of $1,000, and the average worker earning between […]
Most readers of the Gem State Patriot aren’t avid sports fans, and few will lose sleep over the fact that multimillion-dollar athletes owe income taxes in every state and city where they play. But here’s the hidden story: professional sports teams spend staggering sums on accountants and compliance staff just to navigate the tangle of […]
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 […]
Caring for those less fortunate is one of our God-given responsibilities, as Americans and as human beings. The American people—especially Republicans—have always been generous. Surveys consistently show that conservatives give more money to charitable causes than progressives, and I think there’s a simple reason for that: unlike liberals, we don’t see government as the answer […]
A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer How Idaho’s Fiscal Discipline Collapsed: Idaho policymakers face an uncomfortable question: how does a state transform a $496 million surplus into deficit projections within a single budget cycle? The answer reveals fundamental weaknesses in fiscal oversight and political incentives […]
August 1, 2025FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Christianné Allen, Christianne.Allen@mail.house.gov CALDWELL, ID — U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce for a roundtable discussion in Caldwell, Idaho, with local business leaders on the pro-growth business tax provisions in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed […]
“Don’t tax me; don’t tax thee, tax the fellow behind the tree.” With the election season coming up the subject of taxes, particularly property taxes, is often discussed. Knowing how property taxes are assessed is helpful when evaluating candidates. Kootenai County has over 240 elected offices with budget authority in 45 taxing entities including the […]
A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Bottom Line: Idaho’s $141 million budget “shortfall” represents excellent news for taxpayers, with collections 4.5% above last year and a $278 million surplus remaining, exposing how government officials view taxpayer money as their property rather than citizens’ earnings. Idaho […]
A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Bottom Line: Idaho stands at a crossroads where explosive population growth and infiltrating woke ideology threaten the conservative values that attracted newcomers in the first place, requiring expanded vigilance across judicial, bureaucratic, and local government spheres. Idaho’s conservative movement […]
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 […]
When I decided to write my two articles about taxes and local government I wondered if there would be any interest in the subject. I have received more e-mails and comments personally and on the phone from more people—including local legislators and politicians, than I have for any of my previous articles. It seems Idaho […]
This article is courtesy of the Idaho Freedom Foundation One of the favorite phrases of conservative budget hawks in the Idaho Legislature is “starve the beast.” What they mean is that if you want to control or even reverse outrageous government growth, then you need to stop appropriating (spending) so much money. Government agencies will […]