Bill description: Senate Bill 1006 reduces barriers for new teachers to begin working by eliminating bureaucratic restrictions on universities.  Rating: +2 Does it increase barriers to entry into the market? Examples include occupational licensure, the minimum wage, and restrictions on home businesses. Conversely, does it remove barriers to entry into the market? SB1006 reduces barriers […]

Bill Description: House Resolution 1 would amend House Rule 64 to limit how and when individuals may participate in legislative committee hearings.  Rating: -6 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to […]

Follow her on Twitter @annakate_miller Parents want nothing more than a good education for their children. Teachers unions, however, consistently act against the best interest of students. Unfortunately, the unions are winning and students are collateral. State law empowers teachers unions to control what, how, where, and with whom most children learn. This year, teachers […]

If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. This is known as the illusion-of-truth effect. Or, a lie. A recent Lewiston Tribune editorial, “Freedom Foundation declares war on your schools,” used the illusion of truth to attack the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s support for education choice. The editorial promulgates a series of myths. […]

The City of Boise has started to rewrite its zoning code. This makes sense: Over the past 10 years, the Boise metro area’s population has grown more than 20%. It was the fastest growing city in the country from 2017-2018. Considering this explosive growth, and that the code hasn’t been updated in more than 55 […]

The Idaho Freedom Foundation, a conservative think tank, analyzes more legislation than any organization in the state — hundreds of bills per year. IFF analysts have reviewed more than a thousand bills since we started the Idaho Freedom Index eight years ago.  We look at bills for what they do, not who sponsors the bill […]

Bill description: HB 609 would simplify the process for landowners to petition for exclusion from a water and/or sewer district. Rating: +2 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity […]

Bill description: SB 1389 would allow an individual to petition the court to waive the requirement that they install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle if no civil or criminal case is pending related to the requirement. Rating: +1 Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties […]

Bill description: SB 1372 would allow fire protection districts to be divided in two. Rating: -2 Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. […]

Bill description: SB 1362 would allow a person or organization to petition the state attorney general to take action regarding a potential open meeting law violation if the area prosecuting attorney does not. Rating: 0 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or […]

Bill description: HB 565 provides for an annexation process, to add land into flood control districts. Rating: -2 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency […]

Bill description: HB 548 would increase transparency for statewide and local ballot initiatives. Rating: +3 Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency or accountability?  HB […]