Bill Description: Senate Bill 1263 would, under certain circumstances, allow homeowners associations to impose fines on homeowners without first having to give them notice. Rating: -1 Amendment Analysis: The Amendment to Senate Bill 1263 does not change the rating. The language added by the amendment does make the bill somewhat less objectionable, but it still falls […]

This is my 28th legislative session, and I’ve seen legislation greased for passage when there’s a need for speed (as in an emergency) or when there’s a rush to get out of town near the end of the session . A bill can be introduced, pass the Legislature, and be signed by the governor in […]

Idaho students, parents, businesses, and taxpayers rely on universities to produce graduates ready to contribute and compete in the workforce and lead fulfilling lives. Dozens of programs at public universities do so, but dozens more leave their students with dangerous levels of student loan debt and taxpayers on the hook when graduates default on their […]

It’s time yet again to crown our Statist of the Quarter, for the second quarter 2021. The competition was fierce. You voted. And the winners are Gov. Brad Little and the Flip Flop Five.  Just to remind you, Gov. Little vetoed Senate Bill 1136 and House Bill 135, two bills that would have limited his […]

Families in the Emmett School District are taking advantage of an education alternative to revive America’s lost tradition of civics education.  Although the Idaho State Board of Education sets standards for curriculum adoption and recommends certain curriculum resources, school districts have their own curriculum review process. Parents have the opportunity to provide public comment, but […]

It’s not surprising that the Idaho Supreme Court ruled against a new law requiring more uniform collection of petition signatures in order for an initiative to qualify for the ballot. What is shocking is how badly the court twisted itself into knots to justify its decision to the satisfaction of the state’s leftists. Contrary to […]

Parents and teachers across the country are denouncing critical race theory as racist indoctrination of innocent children. Idaho public officials, however, consider their conservative state to be immune to the progressive education movement, arguing “It's not happening here.” Meanwhile, 14 Idaho public school teachers are defending pushing CRT on students. The Zinn Education Project created […]

This week’s winner was also recently featured as a part of a cabal of statists known as the Flip Flop Five: Patti Anne Lodge, Jim Woodward, Jim Guthrie, Jim Patrick, and Fred Martin. These state senators voted to sustain the governor’s veto of a bill that would have rolled back the governor’s emergency powers.  Now, […]

Special interest groups including big labor unions like the Idaho Education Association seem to be winning the day at the state Legislature, thanks to liberal Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Education Committee.  First, members of the committee rejected a simple House-approved measure to let school boards opt-out of collective bargaining. House Bill 174 would […]

The Idaho Spending Index examines appropriation bills on several fronts to add some important context to lawmakers’ discussions as the spending bills are considered on the House and Senate floors. As we look at the budget, we consider the following issues: Does the agency requesting these funds serve a proper role of government? Has wasteful […]

Bill Description: House Bill 294 creates a new program that gives grants to families to use for their child's educational needs. The program could increase future spending in the general fund by $35 million. Rating: -2 Amended Analysis: House Bill 294 was amended to remove the Strong Students scholarship program. Consequently, some of the points […]

Bill Description: House Bill 290 clarifies that county clerks should verify voter signatures and requires the Secretary of State to set the standards for this process.  Rating: +1 Does it violate the spirit or the letter of either the U.S. Constitution or the Idaho Constitution? Examples include restrictions on speech, public assembly, the press, privacy, […]