Policy

Updated Revenue Numbers Expose Idaho’s Spending Problem

By Fred Birnbaum

August 20, 2025

REVISION (August 21, 2025): Due to inconsistent reporting between the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Service Office, this article has been updated. The article now reflects the data that was provided by the LSO following the article's publication. For several years, the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) has been sounding warnings about Idaho's excessive spending […]

TAGS: Brad Little, budget cuts, budget shortfall, conservative think tank, Division of Financial Management (DFM), Donald Trump tax cuts, fiscal discipline, General Fund, government spending, Governor Brad Little, Idaho economy, Idaho fiscal year 2026, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho government, Idaho politics, Idaho State Legislature, Idaho tax revenue, IFF, Legislative Services Office (LSO), PERSI, Property Taxes, state spending, tax reform

Idaho’s DOGE wants efficiency? This proposal checks all the boxes

By Wayne Hoffman, IFF’s former President

August 18, 2025

I have, so far, sent one and only one recommendation to the Idaho Legislature’s new DOGE task force that is supposed to be on the hunt for efficiencies in government. I could send more, but I wanted to offer something that checks all the boxes for legislators who want to: Make government more efficient. Save […]

TAGS: DOGE Task Force, fire, fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, government spending, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho government, Idaho legislature, Idaho politics, Idaho public employees, Idaho taxpayers, IFF, pension reform, PERSI, private sector, Property Taxes, Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, retirement benefits, taxpayer money

Nampans Are Speaking. Will the Mayor and City Council Listen?

By Rachel Hazelip, M.A.P.P.

August 15, 2025

Since our last article, criticism of the proposed transfer of the Ford Idaho Center (FIC) to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) has escalated monumentally. Nampans are speaking out to express their disapproval — and they are not being quiet about it. At the August 11, 2025, “listening” town hall, the Mayor and members of […]

TAGS: Canyon County, civic generosity, College of Western Idaho, community outrage, CWI, Debbie Kling, fiscal responsibility, Ford Idaho Center, government accountability, government transparency, grassroots opposition, Idaho, Idaho politics, local government, Nampa, Nampa City Council, Nampa residents, political protest, property transfer, public assets, public engagement, public trust, Snake River Stampede, taxpayer money, urban development

Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center: A Multi-Million Dollar Giveaway?

By Rachel Hazelip, M.A.P.P.

August 7, 2025

In what may well be the most extraordinary act of unsolicited civic generosity on this side of the Treasure Valley, Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling and the Nampa City Council are contemplating the “conveyance” of the Ford Idaho Center (FIC) to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) — no appraisal, no payment, and an utter lack […]

TAGS: city governance, College of Western Idaho, CWI, Debbie Kling, fiscal responsibility, Ford Idaho Center, government transparency, Idaho Code, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho politics, levy override, municipal debt, Nampa, Nampa Auditorium District, Nampa City Council, Natalie Jangula, progressive institutions, property appraisal, Property Taxes, public assets, public hearings, public property, real estate transfer, Snake River Stampede, taxpayer money, Treasure Valley, Victor Rodriguez

IFF Spending Index: Unmasking Idaho's Overgrown Government

By Fred Birnbaum

July 29, 2025

Last week’s kickoff of the Idaho DOGE Task Force highlights the need to rein in Idaho’s spending growth. It’s a tall order. Since 2019, the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Spending Index has been the only yardstick for measuring the impacts of individual agency appropriations bills. And necessarily, the votes on these bills by legislators provide the […]

TAGS: agency appropriations, budget analysis, budget process, conservative policy, Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, DOGE Task Force, Elon Musk, enhancement budgets, fiscal conservatism, government growth, government inefficiency, government spending, Idaho budget, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho legislators, Idaho politics, IFF Spending Index, JFAC, legislative accountability, legislative spending, maintenance budgets, public lands, spending cuts, state finance, taxpayer money, waste reduction

Idaho DOGE: Misses it by That Much

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.

July 23, 2025

Ask any good conservative in Idaho politics, and they’ll tell you Idaho’s budgets and government growth are out of control. They’re right. Now, throw in the biggest buzzword in politics for the last six months (the start of President Trump’s return to power), “DOGE.” Of course, that’s shorthand for the Department of Government Efficiency (headed […]

TAGS: accountability, Argentina spending, budget cuts, conservative agenda, Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, Elon Musk, fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, government waste, H14, H364, Idaho Code Cleanup Act, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho legislature, Idaho politics, IFF, Javier Milei, Kelly Anthon, legislative analysis, legislative task force, Mike Moyle, political hypocrisy, public policy, special interests, spending index, state spending, taxpayer money, Trump administration, wasteful spending

The Answer is “Cowardice”

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.

July 11, 2025

Want to know what happens in an Idaho Freedom Foundation team meeting? Here’s a glimpse. The question was asked, “If Argentina can cut its government and spending by 28% in one year, why can’t Idaho do that or more?” Without missing a beat, “The answer is ‘cowardice,’” rang out from one (unnamed) freedom fighter. And […]

TAGS: Argentina economy, budget cuts, conservative leadership, conservative values, constitutionalism, deregulation, economic prosperity, fiscal conservatism, for your article: Idaho politics, free market, freedom fighter, government accountability, government overreach, government reform, government waste, grassroots activism, Here's a list of SEO-friendly tags, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho legislature, Idaho spending, IFF, Javier Milei, Limited Government, Milei effect, political courage, populist movement, separated by commas, state sovereignty, state spending, tax cuts, taxpayer money

The "Big Beautiful Bill": What It Means for Idaho

By Fred Birnbaum

July 4, 2025

Normally, we at the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) don’t weigh in on federal legislation that does not directly impact Idaho. However, any massive Congressional omnibus bill with tax and spending provisions is bound to impact Idahoans. We would like to bring to the attention of our readers a few key points for consideration. And perhaps […]

TAGS: Big Beautiful Bill, border security, budget deficit, Congressional omnibus, continuous appropriations, debt ceiling, federal debt, fiscal policy, fiscal year 2025, FY25, FY26, FY34, government spending, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho impact, IFF, Medicaid reform, national debt, Rand Paul, Senator Collins, Senator Murkowski, Senator Tillis, Speaker McCarthy, tax cuts, tax reform, tax revenue, welfare programs

Idaho Government has a Spending Problem, not a Revenue Problem

By Fred Birnbaum

June 30, 2025

Could Idaho’s government run out of money? That might be a reasonable worry based on your first reading of a recent article highlighting how Idaho’s General Fund revenue was $141 million behind legislative projections for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25, ending June 30, 2025). We are told to be concerned because Idaho taxes won’t catch up. […]

TAGS: budget shortfall, conservative budgeting, continuous appropriations, fiscal policy, FY25 revenue, General Fund, government spending, hospital assessment, Idaho budget, Idaho economy, Idaho taxes, legislative projections, Medicaid, state finances, tax collections

State Sovereignty Requires Idaho Action Against Illegal Immigration

By Fred Birnbaum

June 16, 2025

As we survey the rioting, looting, burning of vehicles, assaults on local and federal law enforcement, waving of Mexican flags, and the burning of American flags in Los Angeles, we might breathe a sigh of relief. We don’t live there! But illegal immigration is not confined to any one state, and more importantly, Idaho must […]

TAGS: "No Kings" protests, American flags, anti-Biden, border security, conservative legislation, criminal aliens, criminal immigrants, demagnetize Idaho, E-Verify, freedom index, harboring illegals, House Bill 094, House Bill 135, House Bill 252, House Bill 335, House Bill 382, House Bill 83, ICE report, Idaho conservative, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho politics, IFF, Illegal Immigration, immigration enforcement, legislative priorities, Los Angeles riots, mainstream media, Mexican flags, Property Rights, public safety, Spokane riots, state sovereignty, Tenth Amendment, voter verification

Radical Gender Theory: Pride Month, Woke Flags, and Gender Affirming “Care”

By Rachel Hazelip, M.A.P.P.

June 12, 2025

Happy Pride Month — not. Once again, it’s that time of year when business logos change to rainbow colors, shops and restaurants hang transgender flags in their windows, and celebrations of sexuality and “gender identity” sweep the nation. American society has been inundated with gay pride parades, drag queen shows, and LGBTQ+ protests for the […]

TAGS: Chloe Cole detransitioner, Conservative education reform, Culture war education, DEI in education, Gender affirming care minors, Homeschooling Idaho, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho school board issues, Idaho Vulnerable Child Protection Act, Parental involvement education, Parental rights education, Pride Month controversy, Public school indoctrination, Radical gender ideology, Salmon Idaho schools, Salmon Jr/Sr High School, School choice Idaho, Transgender ideology schools, Woke flags classrooms, Woke ideology in schools

"Property Taxes are the Worst" — But Bonds and Levies are Fine?

By Rachel Hazelip, M.A.P.P.

June 9, 2025

Property tax is one of the most pressing policy issues in Idaho right now. Almost everyone agrees that property taxes are too high, and most conservatives see them as morally wrong altogether. This is not just a partisan issue either — lowering property taxes crosses party lines. Over the past several years, many homeowners have […]

TAGS: Conservative Viewpoint, End Property Taxes Idaho, Founding Fathers, High Property Taxes, Idaho Fiscal Policy, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho Homeowners, Idaho Legislation, Idaho Property Tax, Idaho Tax Issues, Idaho taxes, Limited Government, Local Government Funding, Property Rights, Property Tax Bonds, Property Tax Levies, Property Tax Reform, Self-governance, Tax Burden Idaho, Taxpayer Action, Taxpayer Advocacy, Vote No on Bonds, Vote No on Levies, Voter Approved Taxes, Voter Turnout

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Policy

Updated Revenue Numbers Expose Idaho’s Spending Problem

Idaho’s DOGE wants efficiency? This proposal checks all the boxes

Nampans Are Speaking. Will the Mayor and City Council Listen?

Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center: A Multi-Million Dollar Giveaway?

IFF Spending Index: Unmasking Idaho's Overgrown Government

Idaho DOGE: Misses it by That Much

The Answer is “Cowardice”

The "Big Beautiful Bill": What It Means for Idaho

Idaho Government has a Spending Problem, not a Revenue Problem

State Sovereignty Requires Idaho Action Against Illegal Immigration

Radical Gender Theory: Pride Month, Woke Flags, and Gender Affirming “Care”

"Property Taxes are the Worst" — But Bonds and Levies are Fine?

Latest Research

Idaho Freedom Index

Policy

Updated Revenue Numbers Expose Idaho’s Spending Problem

Idaho’s DOGE wants efficiency? This proposal checks all the boxes

Nampans Are Speaking. Will the Mayor and City Council Listen?

Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center: A Multi-Million Dollar Giveaway?

IFF Spending Index: Unmasking Idaho's Overgrown Government

Idaho DOGE: Misses it by That Much

The Answer is “Cowardice”

The "Big Beautiful Bill": What It Means for Idaho

Idaho Government has a Spending Problem, not a Revenue Problem

State Sovereignty Requires Idaho Action Against Illegal Immigration

Radical Gender Theory: Pride Month, Woke Flags, and Gender Affirming “Care”

"Property Taxes are the Worst" — But Bonds and Levies are Fine?

Latest Research

Idaho Freedom Index

Request your printed copies of the Idaho Freedom Index mailed to you!