Property values have been on the rise for the last several years, some years seeing higher growth than others. We have all been waiting for values to peak and start declining. With all the talk of a possible recession, inflation and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, many thought ou…
National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins has “urged” Congress to reallocate some of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) enforcement funding to better taxpayer services and modernize IRS systems because the slug of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding “disproportionately” favored enforcement…
AARP Idaho is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing more than 180,000 members across the state. We work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support legislation and issues that make Idaho a great place to live for everyone.
A sure sign the politics of Idaho have changed for the worse is when attacks on good legislators begin weeks after the Legislature adjourns and a full year before the next election. That’s what is happening in our state right now.
We know the Smokey Bear saying by heart: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” But every year, nationally, around 80% of wildfires are caused by humans. That jumps to more than 90% of fires when you look at what the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has responded to this year. It could be a thr…
Some of the most lifesaving medications remain out of reach for far too many working families and seniors. We must empower consumers, plans, providers and pharmacies to make informed, cost-effective and clinically appropriate decisions. As Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member, I joined Co…
Our public schools and libraries are the center of our communities. They uphold and strengthen some of the most fundamental ideals of our country. As Idahoans went to the polls recently, Democrats took action to protect these critical institutions. I was relieved to see Idaho voters largely …
Imagine being one of approximately 72 million persons in the United States with mental illness according to the 2021 National Institute of Mental Health – 57.8 million adults (age 18 and older) and 14.1 million youth (age 6 to 18).
Substance use and mental health disorders are significant problems among veteran populations. This Memorial Day, millions of Americans will take time to honor the memory of those servicemen and women who lost their lives.
In 1954, after years of successfully smearing innocent people, ruining lives and careers, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy launched a new attack against an unlikely target – the United States Army. Unlike his other victims, the Army had the power and influence to fight back.
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” ― John F. Kennedy
Freedom has always informed my thinking on trade. Our country was founded on the promise of freedom, and history shows Americans excel when given more freedom. We can promote freedom around the world and for the American people by improving trade opportunities and enforcement.
If you’re an employer and think the stigma of mental illness isn’t affecting your company, you’re likely wrong, and the impact of your misperception could be costly.
I’ve had many memorable door knocking encounters over the years, but one in 2016 particularly stands out. A young black woman, Alicia, answered the door. She was a student at BSU. I asked her about the issues important to her. She was concerned about the cost of college, low wages and not be…
Recently, a Boise junior high teacher and basketball coach was charged with the rape and sexual battery of a minor child. Eric McDermott first groomed his victim in class and then over a social media “dating site,” where he asked the boy to send sexually explicit photos.
There has been increased concern in Idaho and across the country regarding Chinese companies’ purchases of U.S. farmland. Idaho agricultural land is a precious resource that should be protected from foreign adversaries. I recently cosponsored legislation that would prevent foreign adversarie…
Idaho has the unfortunate distinction of being in the top five states for acres burned by wildfire in 2022, including the disastrous Moose Fire that impacted Salmon, Idaho, and other nearby communities. The Moose Fire burned for more than 100 days and consumed more than 130,000 acres. Wildfi…
In February, Dorothy Moon, the Chair of the Idaho Republican Party, wrote an editorial about our organization, Idaho Children Are Primary, or ICAP [Progress, March 9 issue]. ICAP is a 501c4 bipartisan organization created to put a spotlight on legislation that affects Idaho’s children. In he…
I’ve spent more than a decade serving the people of the great state of Idaho. I continue to be amazed by our tremendous natural resources and how they benefit our citizens.
Marijuana is entirely illegal in Idaho, falling in line with federal regulations. 4/20 Day may not be as widely celebrated in the state as others, but it has an influence on youth.
The White House recently released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget proposal a month late, and it would run our country deeper in debt. It would drive up federal spending to $6.9 trillion, while deficits would rise to more than $2 trillion by FY 2033. Interest on federal debt will skyrocket f…
Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) collapse was due to massive inflation followed by spiking interest rates and mismanagement that led to a liquidity event, not a capital shortfall.
No other state has given back more taxpayer money per capita than Idaho. We’ve turned back $2.7 billion in tax cuts to Idahoans just in the past three years. It’s a feather in our cap, an achievement we’re certainly proud of. However, Idaho’s fiscally conservative leaders aren’t stopping there.
We all know what it is like when we have an idea that looks good on the surface but turns out not to work the way we’d hoped.
The Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon recently distributed an opinion piece through the state GOP email, falsely claiming Idaho is trying to turn blue. This is a petty talking point to pander to a small group of people and divide the GOP. Her statistics regarding Senate Joint Me…
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) track record during the last three years is nothing short of abysmal. When the Chinese government lied to the world in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO parroted and praised China’s officials. When it became clear China was covering up t…
This year, I am again cosponsoring a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. As I re-read the bill prior to its reintroduction, I was reminded of the common phrase, “it goes without saying.” One would think this commonsense bill was unnecessary, or in other words, “it should go withou…
Recently, the Minnesota State Senate — a legislative chamber controlled by progressive Democrats — approved legislation to give illegal aliens drivers’ licenses. It may surprise many that Republicans in Idaho’s State Senate made the same move as Minnesota’s progressive Democrats. Drivers’ li…
The Internal Revenue Code requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, and all IRS employees, to ‘act in accord’ with codified taxpayer rights, including the right to be informed; the right to quality service; the right to challenge the position of the IRS and be heard; the righ…
In Idaho, fighting the feds is in our DNA.
Recently, several Idaho legislators introduced bills that would protect Idaho children from adults bent on using our children as vehicles for a radical gender ideology.
International trade is responsible for more than a quarter of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and supports more than 40 million American jobs. The world wants America’s products and services—whether it is Idaho’s high-quality potatoes and dairy products or cutting-edge memory chips. In Ida…
The most radically liberal politicians in America run for office under the protection of nonpartisanship. Once in office, these same “unaligned” officials raise money for the Democrat Party and push extreme policies that harm small businesses and working people.
Access to quality, affordable healthcare transforms and saves lives. Idahoans understand this. It’s why we overwhelmingly passed a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in 2018 and why we must now oppose Republican-led efforts to repeal it.
Hello from the Idaho County Republican Central Committee (ICRCC). This article is a refresher on the purpose and function of a central committee and an update on ICRCC activities.
“We should deal in a spirit of justice and fairness with weaker nations, and we should show to the strongest that we are able to maintain our rights.... Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready.” – 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, spee…
We are being lied to and have become numb to the deceptions. We have allowed this misguidance to lead to the abuse of our free will and have become complacent in our acceptance of the lies being peddled before us. Rather than being accepting of the lies, let us follow the truth.
It is rare for Idaho Republicans to split their vote on the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). It is rare to elect a national GOP chair to a fourth term. And it is even more rare for the current Idaho GOP chair to endorse the moderate pro-LGBTQ+ candidate in a three-way race a…
Supporting Idaho servicemen and women during their transition from military service back to civilian life is a meaningful way to help launch these dedicated men and women into the next phase of their lives to Idaho’s great benefit. I have been a longtime advocate for more seamlessly connecti…
Two years ago, the pandemic led the federal government to provide much-needed funding to address our housing crisis. The investments in rental assistance resources to prevent eviction and rehouse homeless families was the largest ever. Local housing organizations finally felt the ability to …
Raising the minimum wage is one of the many policy ideas peppered with tradeoffs, but one of the few that have such a direct impact on businesses and employees alike.
Before we talk about solutions to the current solid waste dilemma in Idaho County, let’s review the problems.
It’s all about improving outcomes for children. As president of Mountain States Policy Center, I’m proud to announce the launch of “Education Choice Improves Outcomes.”
America’s servicemembers, past and present, have shown incredible sacrifice and dedication to defending our freedom. We owe it to our nation’s heroes and their families to cut the bureaucratic red tape and continue the effort to identify and recover those who have not yet made it home. In De…
The last article provided an overview of solid waste in Idaho County. Our focus today will be dumpsters.
As another busy holiday season draws to a close and the new year gets underway, I am reminded of a critical segment of our population, who collectively never take a holiday and individually, hopefully, get some well-deserved time with their loved ones and needed rest and renewal. According t…
2022 in Idaho brought with it long campaigns and high-profile races in the May primaries and November election. As a result, three of Idaho’s statewide offices have new leaders this week, including the office I now hold, superintendent of public instruction. With the rallies, speeches and de…
I thought a series on solid waste might be helpful for constituents to understand a little more about a topic that is every commissioner’s favorite subject and every taxpayer’s favorite nemesis.
As the 117th Congress (2021-2022) draws to a close, it is a good time to update Idahoans on some of the legislative and policy changes we made progress on over the past two years. The following are some highlights:
As parents, it goes without saying that one of our primary objectives is to do what’s best for our children. We strive to protect their health and well-being. We encourage participation in sports, the arts, or other activities to give their lives balance, joy and the opportunity to connect w…
With all the changes in registrations recently, the Idaho County Assessor’s Office has some answers for commonly asked questions by the community:
