Dems and BSU elites to critics: Don’t question school’s radical agenda

Shortly after 28 Republican legislators let Boise State University President Marlene Tromp know they’re concerned the school is using student and taxpayer dollars to advance an openly leftist agenda, top college officials and Idaho’s legislative Democrats made it absolutely clear there’s nothing to talk about—unless we discuss how much more money the school will get.

While Tromp hasn’t rescinded her promise to hear legislators out, other university officials dug in their heels. BSU Interim Provost Tony Roark snootily opined in an email to colleagues that it’s just “difficult for people outside of higher ed to understand the nature of the work that we do.” Tromp will engage in “enlightening dialogue” with legislators, Roark said, about the programs that drew their ire.

IFF urges BSU's Tromp to drop radical social justice agenda 

BOISE—On Thursday, the Idaho Freedom Foundation urged Boise State University President Marlene Tromp to cease a number of activities and programs that advance a radical social justice political agenda, but do nothing to provide excellent academics for students.

“Boise State University’s new president, Marlene Tromp, faces an important choice: Will BSU adopt the radical social justice agenda that has roiled so many campuses?” asked IFF Vice President Fred Birnbaum. “Or will she prioritize academic excellence over progressive social engineering?”

State lottery: 30 years of victims is nothing to celebrate

By Wayne Hoffman | President

Ronald Reagan once quipped that a government agency “is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” So it’s hard to see a good reason to celebrate the state government’s lottery, which turns 30 this month; No doubt the state lottery will still exist 60 years henceforth, perhaps outlasting the readers and writer of this column. I’d rather ask Idahoans to use this occasion to scratch below the lottery’s surface to reveal a government program that liberals and conservatives should equally oppose. 

Lawsuit against state treasurer continues path toward full-time Legislature

By Wayne Hoffman | President

House Speaker Scott Bedke and Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill contend that Julie Ellsworth is a squatter in the Statehouse. They say the newly-elected Idaho state treasurer has been served an eviction notice but refuses to comply. They’ve sued Ellsworth so the House can take over the treasurer’s office space and build private offices therein. Ellsworth is right to stay put.

Lackluster results prove Idaho must end Common Core

By Wayne Hoffman | President

Almost nine years after Idaho adopted Common Core, state officials still can’t say whether the supposedly-more-rigorous education standards have made a positive difference. Worse, mounting evidence from across the country shows the standards are nothing short of a disaster.

Idaho’s public colleges’ “inclusion” efforts promote victimhood

By Wayne Hoffman | President

Idaho’s post-secondary schools have joined the legion of left-leaning institutions that are using their campuses as state-sponsored platforms for intolerance, division, and victimhood. Hurt in the process are students, taxpayers, and donors to college scholarship funds, all whom are misled in believing they’re paying for “higher education.”

Jobs are plentiful, but Idaho teens aren't working

By Wayne Hoffman | President

Though their population has increased, there are fewer Idaho teenagers in the workforce than there were 20 years ago. In 1998, more than 25,000 Idahoans between the ages of 14 and 18 were employed, two decades later, about 24,500 Idaho youngsters earn a paycheck, according to government data.