The 2025 Idaho Freedom Index (13th edition) is ready to order. Of course, that means some legislators go to their social media pages to proudly post their scores, while others attack the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Many people post their legislators’ scores and give “atta boys,” while others are dismayed at their representation. And, yes, some lash out at the IFF. There is nothing new under the sun.
This year, our IFF team analyzed and rated 444 bills, including 351 policy bills and 93 budget bills. All the legislators’ floor votes on those bills determined their scores and grades for the Freedom and Spending Indexes. Note that all bill ratings are written and published prior to legislators voting on the bills, so it’s impossible for legislator scores and grades to be manipulated after the fact. We rate the bills, and the legislators determine their grades.
Any legislator complaining about one or several bill ratings tanking their score simply doesn’t understand the Freedom Index. It would take dozens of wrong-way votes to change a legislator’s letter grade. One or two disputed votes do not make for a C- or D-grade legislator — mediocrity and failing grades indicate a pattern. Because our process is so robust (hundreds of bills), minor disagreements fade to the background while legislator grades take the spotlight.
These two indices (Freedom and Spending) inform all of Idaho about how the Legislature works and, more importantly, how each legislator votes on policy and spending. Please carefully review the Index and the scores as you evaluate your officeholders.
It’s worth noting that other groups publishing legislative scorecards are not nearly as comprehensive and forthright as the IFF. Those groups use standards tied to special interests, provide no reasoning for their recommendations, and/or cherry-pick a handful of bills after the votes to judge legislators. None of them come close to analyzing and rating as many bills as the IFF. None of them publish their detailed metrics for all to see. Those groups’ systems are indeed ripe for bias, manipulation, and inaccuracy.
The Idaho Freedom Index and the Spending Index remain the gold standard for tracking Idaho legislators. No other state policy center comes close to what we do — the Idaho Freedom Foundation stands out.
My Perspective
As a citizen taxpayer, a Ph.D. economist, a professor, a three-term legislator, a senior analyst, and now the president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, I have come to know what good policy looks like. I also know the pressures and conflicts faced by a legislator who must cast a yea or nay vote on every bill.
Based on my experience in these areas, I can say the Idaho Freedom Index provides legislators with essential information and details about the bills before them. Legislators can’t possibly read every bill, but the Idaho Freedom Foundation can and does. The dispassionate, objective analysis from the IFF helps legislators cast their best votes based on information from our metrics, which emphasize solid conservative values, Constitutional integrity, and fiscal restraint.
While I was an economics professor for over 25 years, I never graded “on the curve.” Instead, I would tell my students I hoped they would all score an A. Then I told them how. The same goes for legislators and the Freedom Index. I wish they would all score an A. Idaho would be so much better for it.
So, how do they get an A? It’s not hard. Vote for bills adding freedom, limiting government, protecting rights, honoring the Constitution, and restraining spending. Vote against bills to the contrary. Imagine if only bills meeting those principles were the ones to pass into law. More legislators earn A’s, and, more importantly, Idaho wins.
How Did the Legislature Do?
First, the good news. The 2025 edition of the Idaho Freedom Index shows marked improvement from our legislature in restoring liberty, protecting rights, limiting government, reducing taxes, respecting families, and honoring the Constitution. It was an improvement on many fronts, and the Freedom Index average improved by more than 12 points compared to 2024.
This year, we saw school choice win, we saw diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and spending prohibited in our state institutions of higher learning, a prohibition on taxpayer dollars from being used to support illegal aliens, and comprehensive health freedom approved. These are positive developments.
The Freedom Index shows how the Legislature improved its conservative and freedom record; we can see there are 29 all-star legislators who did well to hold the line — they scored the A and B grades. We also see 38 other legislators in the so-so C and D grades. That leaves the 38 cellar-dwellers (grade F) on the index who seem to work against the values of freedom and limited government.
For comparison, last year there were only 20 A and B graded legislators, 18 in the C and D grades, and 67 who scored an F. The 2025 Legislature improved by nine higher-grade-earning legislators, 20 additional so-so legislators, and 29 fewer F legislators. The Legislature is moving toward freedom.
That said, significant work remains to make Idaho the beacon of freedom for the country.
Most legislators (76 still graded C or below) appear to distrust free markets, favor increased dependence on federal spending and government programs, and more restrictions on freedom of speech, while also exhibiting a lingering disregard for fiscal responsibility.
Despite being a so-called “red state,” too many legislators (regardless of political party) vote predominantly along liberal lines, scoring in the F range of the index.
Again, I invite you to take a moment to examine the Freedom and Spending Index scores. See how the Legislature is doing overall, check how your senator and representatives are respecting the ideals of freedom, limited government, and fiscal restraint, and compare their votes to other legislators.
Over the years, as the Freedom Index has been published and distributed, we have seen the Legislature move rightward. The index has an impact. It informs legislators, it affects what legislation passes or fails, and it gives truth to voters about what their legislators vote for and against in the Capitol. The Index is making a difference. Idaho’s Legislature is more conservative now than it was 13 years ago. We have better legislators, voting better, and better policies as a result. Idaho is winning, and the IFF is a driving force to make it happen.
