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Policy

Idaho could abolish discriminatory DEI programs at public universities this year

By Anna Miller
February 22, 2024
Idaho Senator Brian Lenney (R-Nampa) recently introduced a bill to abolish discriminatory diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in institutions of higher education. DEI offices stifle intellectual freedom, prevent equal treatment and opportunity, and create a hostile environment for anyone who dissents from the reigning orthodoxy on campus.  Idaho colleges and universities enforce the DEI […]
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Announcing Capitol Clarity Week 7

By Idaho Freedom Foundation staff
February 20, 2024
For immediate release - February 20, 2024Boise, Idaho Idaho Freedom Foundation, the Gem State’s most influential conservative policy center and think tank, announces the next Capitol Clarity program lineup for Thursday, February 22, 2024, at noon in the Lincoln Auditorium.  Greg Pruett is the founder and president of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, an organization […]
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Budget Reform Wins and the Main Street Caucus Gets a Beatdown

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.
February 9, 2024
This was a very big week in the Idaho Capitol for the average Idahoan struggling with inflation, taxes, and overbearing government. Key votes in the Idaho House and Senate will lead to leaner budgets, less waste, fraud, and abuse, and neutering the so-called Main Street Caucus, which colluded with Democrats and fought these good outcomes […]
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Idaho's bloated DEI bureaucracies at public universities are growing

By Idaho Freedom Foundation staff
February 6, 2024
By Anna Miller and Scott Yenor  A recent Idaho Freedom Foundation report revealed that Idaho's public university system is spending nearly $6 million on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) administrators. A previous estimate in February 2022, found that spending on DEI administrators across Idaho’s higher education system was around $2.2 million. In two years, the cost […]
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Don’t be fooled by budget tricks — the fight is about spending

By Fred Birnbaum
February 4, 2024
Kabuki Theater is an art form featuring distractions and illusions. In political terms, Kabuki describes acts of insincerity to please supporters, attract attention, and distract viewers from what is really going on. That’s what happened last Friday in the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC). A combination of 12 liberal Republicans and Democrats partnered to undermine […]
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Leftist Republicans and Dems Stage Idaho Spending Circus!

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.
February 3, 2024
The Idaho budget committee erupted into a full-blown circus yesterday. The center ring featured nine leftist republicans colluding with democrats to explode spending in Idaho government. But, just who is the ringleader of this nefarious act? All indicators point to Sen. Chuck Winder orchestrating this show, which is actually far less fun than a real […]
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Where are the budget bills?

By Fred Birnbaum
January 26, 2024
Idaho's state budget is out of control. In the last four years, appropriations have grown over 50%!  Did your paycheck go up that much? "Fiscal restraint" is a foreign term to many lawmakers. This year, Idaho has a real opportunity to put the brakes on out-of-control spending. By considering the "keep the lights on" budgets […]
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Idaho’s Myth of School Choice

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.
January 22, 2024
“School choice” in Idaho is a myth. Elected officials and educators talk about all the options parents may choose from to get the best education for their children, but the reality is they only get to choose limited public options (other public schools or charter schools). Two weeks ago, the governor proposed his “choice” plan […]
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The story about Medicaid you have not heard

By Fred Birnbaum
January 16, 2024
Breaking news you won’t get from the legacy media: Conservatives in the Idaho Legislature were correct to reject Idaho’s two separate Medicaid budgets last session. Why? The Medicaid department is sending back — “reverting” — $278 million to the General Fund, meaning that that budget was over-appropriated. To put this error in perspective, consider that […]
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Idaho General Fund Revenues are down just (2%) so far this year

By Fred Birnbaum
January 10, 2024
Imagine a husband driving home from work and depositing his regular $2,000 paycheck in the bank. The teller says, “What account?”  The husband says, “Put $1,500 into checking and $500 into my fix-the-roof account.”  When his wife asks about the bank report, does the husband honestly say his income is down $500, or does he […]
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Governor Little Is Seeing a Lot of Nails

By Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.
January 9, 2024
When I was a very young kid, my dad gave me a hammer to pound some nails into a 2x4 while he was doing the real work of building a new shed. I pounded a few nails, but then I wanted to see what else that hammer could do. Yup, everything became a “nail” for […]

Capitol Clarity returns for 2024

By Idaho Freedom Foundation staff
January 9, 2024
The Idaho Freedom Foundation is proud to present Capitol Clarity, a weekly event that connects you with your elected representatives. Join us every Thursday at 12pm in the Lincoln Auditorium to not only hear from lawmakers and state officials, but to ask them your questions as well. This Thursday, January 11, come hear from new […]
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