Local government — a shining beacon of accountability. Where else can you find public officials approving deals without public meetings, zoning contracts over lunch, and budget allocations that somehow always favor the mayor’s family’s construction company? One might even say they are “the gold standard of transparent governance” — that is, if you live in a parallel universe.

A harsh reality Idahoans have faced — particularly over the last year — is counties, cities, and school boards gone rogue. Too often, local governments operate in the quiet and are shielded from scrutiny by low public engagement, little to no oversight, and a stunning lack of accountability for their actions. 

When governments or officials make headlines for the misappropriation of funds, nepotism, or outright corruption, it is typically at the federal or state levels. Local government largely flies under the radar. Decisions are made in “executive meetings,” minutes are sparse and buried in websites that are difficult to navigate, and the line between public service and personal interest is often, let’s say, blurred.

The lack of citizen and legislative accountability has created a breeding ground for corruption. The saddest part of all of this, arguably, is that elected officials and government employees are getting away with it because almost no one is watching. Or at least, almost no one was watching.

The Idaho Freedom Foundation has been inundated by stories from citizens of corruption at all levels of local government over the past few years. Through public records requests, social media, and grassroots organizing, Idahoans have begun holding their local leaders accountable. 

In a Constitutional Republic, governmental oversight doesn’t come from the top down. It starts with the citizenry — the working mom who reads the city budget for fun, the outraged parents whose kids are being politically targeted at school, the retiree who attends every council meeting, and the hard-working businessmen who won’t let shady deals go unquestioned. 

An informed citizenry is a powerful citizenry, and a powerful citizenry results in an accountable government. Corruption occurs when governments are not held accountable. Corruption thrives in darkness, and now, informed citizens are flipping on the lights.