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Policy

Are Idaho’s colleges and universities adequately funded?

By Fred Birnbaum
July 24, 2019
Earlier this month, Idaho’s 21 legislative Democrats signed a letter to BSU President Marlene Tromp to voice support for BSU’s diversity and inclusion agenda. Their letter also addressed higher education’s funding with the following statement: “Because of the legislature’s neglect, tuition costs are rising… While some Majority legislators don’t see the need to effectively fund […]
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BSU leaders suggest Ehardt letter was 'painful' for students

By Dustin Hurst
July 22, 2019
If civil discourse in this country isn’t dead or on life support, it’s almost certainly doodling in an adult coloring book while cowering in a safe space.  We experience the ugliness of overheated rhetoric everywhere: It’s on the news, where talking heads scream at one another and never actually discuss anything. It’s on social media, […]
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To Rep. Erpelding: Name-calling is fun and all, but how about some real dialogue?

By Janae Wilkerson
July 22, 2019
Have you ever tried to raise a question, only for misinterpreting responders to make legitimate conversation impossible? That’s how I felt reading a recent op-ed rebuttal by Rep. Mat Erpelding, the House minority leader from Boise’s North End. Two weeks ago, 28 legislators signed a letter to BSU President Marlene Tromp, in which they expressed […]
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Grocery tax repeal gains major allies

By Idaho Freedom Foundation staff
February 7, 2017
The idea of repealing Idaho’s tax on groceries gained a number of vocal allies this past week, including two Idaho newspapers. The Twin Falls Times-News, Coeur d’Alene Press and the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils all endorsed an end to Idaho’s six percent tax on groceries. All three spoke out as House members considered -- […]
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Let’s debate the sales tax on groceries

By Wayne Hoffman, IFF’s former President
January 27, 2017
Of all the public policies that enjoy wide support at the Idaho Statehouse, one idea has received consistent bipartisan love through the years: a plan to eliminate the sales tax on groceries. Since 1965, when the state’s sales tax was first implemented, at three percent, the state has taxed food purchased at the grocery store. […]
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Return budget surplus to Idaho families

By Fred Birnbaum
January 23, 2017
The state fiscal year (SFY) 2018 budget, recently presented to the Legislature by Gov. Butch Otter, is unfair to Idaho families. Otter’s budget starts from the premise that the current budget surplus belongs to special interests and state agencies. The message Idahoans should send to legislators: The surplus belongs to us; restrain Otter’s spending ambitions […]
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Idaho House bans powdered alcohol

By Dustin Hurst
February 28, 2016
Though it’s not even available in the state at this point, the Idaho House voted Friday to ban powdered alcohol anyway. Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, addressed the ban bill on the House floor and told his colleagues the substance could pose a threat to minors. He also said some public officials worry the substance could […]
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Bell, Gibbs coordinated protest vote against tax relief

By Dustin Hurst
February 8, 2016
The two leaders of the of the House budget-writing committee coordinated to send a message to their colleagues last week. House Appropriations Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, told IdahoReporter.com Monday she and the panel’s vice chair, Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, voted against a $28 million tax cut bill in protest. “It was about what we know […]
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House passes small tax cut, but Siddoway remains uncommitted to tax relief

By Dustin Hurst
February 4, 2016
The Idaho House of Representatives passed a $28 million tax cut and increased the grocery-tax credit Wednesday, but the plan might meet a roadblock in the Idaho Senate. The plan, sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, cuts taxes slightly on workers who earn more than $7,260 a year, giving them $22.8 million in […]
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Bill to allow unmarked ISP patrol cars introduced

By Dustin Hurst
February 4, 2016
The Idaho State Police wants unmarked police cars for highway patrol duty to combat aggressive drivers and will have a chance to state their case starting in the Idaho Senate. Members of the Senate’s Judiciary and Rules Committee voted Wednesday to introduce the proposal, allowing it to proceed to a full hearing. ISP Lt. Col. […]
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Education spending: Legislature should look before it leaps

By Fred Birnbaum
February 2, 2016
In September 2013 Gov. Butch Otter’s Task Force for Improving Education issued a report. The report stated that non-competitive salaries make hiring and retaining teachers difficult, the current educational system does not provide incentives, and it lacks accountability. The report’s centerpiece solution, which carried the biggest price tag, was the Career Ladder Compensation Model. The […]
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AG’s office clears Madison Sheriff Klingler of misuse of funds allegations

By Dustin Hurst
February 1, 2016
The Idaho Attorney General’s office cleared Madison County Sheriff Roy Klinger and his staff of any wrongdoing after a Rexburg man filed a complaint about how the sheriff’s office spent concealed weapons license fees. In a Jan. 22 letter to Rexburg resident Dan Roberts, Deputy Attorney General Paul R. Panther said, though Klinger and company […]
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