Little’s budgetary response to the virus is a good start
On his Tuesday morning conference call with legislators, Gov. Brad Little reminded lawmakers that his administration is paying much closer attention to the state’s budget and fiscal health than his predecessor. Idaho ended the 2020
Time for Idaho to take steps to re-open
Idaho’s stay-at-home order is in its final week. Now, Gov. Brad Little says he will use available data to decide whether to keep in place the mandate that’s slowly starving Idaho’s businesses and employees in
Service before self
By Dr. John M. Livingston | Medical policy adviser I share several of Dr. Robert J. Burnett’s MD FACS’s concerns regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, but I disagree with the politicization of the debate and the
Now, more than ever, we need local governments to hold virtual meetings
With a statewide stay-at-home order issued in Idaho, local government facilities have transformed into ghost towns. Staff are working from home and buildings are closed to the public. We now live in a world where
Coronavirus pandemic demands skepticism, good data
By Dr. John M. Livingston | Medical Policy Adviser I am having a difficult time matching what the experts have told us and reconciling what is happening worldwide on the ground. As I have mentioned
Valley County now controls who can rent to whom
On March 30, Valley County commissioners sent a letter to all short-term rental establishments, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks within their county boundaries. Their letter states that landlords of short-term rental properties
Resist, or politicians will take your liberty
Let’s be crystal clear about this: The U.S. Constitution and most state constitutions have been suspended. Your freedom to earn a living, travel, worship, and even mingle with others have been abridged. It seems many
Little’s stay-home order is unconstitutional
As COVID-19 reached the U.S., it was easy to compliment Gov. Brad Little for his measured response. Unlike other governors who halted all economic activity within their borders, Little focused on eliminating the government regulations
Legislature fails; Now it’s up to Little to lead with conservative solutions
Idaho’s Legislature, being more than 80 percent Republican, sure did struggle a lot to pass conservative legislation in the just-concluded 2020 legislative session. And don’t blame viruses; the dearth of pro-liberty, limited government legislation was
House Bill 648 — Property tax relief for homeowners
Bill description: HB 648 would provide some one-time property tax relief for homeowners. Rating: 0 Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce
House Bill 649 — Homeowner exemption for those 65 or older
Bill description: HB 649 increases the homeowners exemption (up to the increase in the home’s value) for residential property owners 65 or older. Rating: -1 Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the
House Bill 647 — Supervision of electrical apprentices
Bill description: HB 647 would change requirements regarding the supervision of electrical apprentices. Rating: +1 Does it increase barriers to entry into the market? Examples include occupational licensure, the minimum wage, and restrictions on home
IFF asks Little to eliminate regulations, embrace free markets in response to Covid-19
On Tuesday, Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman sent the following letter to Idaho Gov. Brad Little. The letter offers several free market policy solutions the governor could enact to aid Idahoans during the Covid-19
Senate Bill 1420 – Department of Labor
When this agency’s request came up for FY20, we noted the following last year: This appropriation adds a major new line item, a JOBCorps pilot project with an appropriation of $4.3 million. This appropriation is
Senate Bill 1418 – Department of Health and Welfare, Medicaid
Bill description: Department of Health and Welfare, Medicaid Fiscal Year 2021 appropriation Rating: -1 No program is as large nor is as big a threat to the fiscal health of Idaho as the state’s Medicaid
