From the category archives:

State Politics

Legislative update from Rep. Janice McGeachin (R-32A)

Thumbnail image for Legislative update from Rep. Janice McGeachin (R-32A) by Guest Writer February 23, 2010

Dear Friends and Neighbors:
By passing HJM9, the Idaho House pushed back against growing federal power by asserting state sovereignty.  The House voted to condemn major portions of the Clean Water Restoration Act that is pending before the U.S. Senate, agreeing with Representative Raybould (R-Rexburg) that the legislation pending in Congress would have “drastic” negative effects [...]

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Legislative update from Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-33A)

Thumbnail image for Legislative update from Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-33A) by Guest Writer February 23, 2010

2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:  FEBRUARY 19, 2010
This week the discussions about budget setting and state revenues continue.  Last week the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) set the final FY2010 and FY2011 budget numbers.  The FY2010 budget number was the final decision made by JFAC when considering the original appropriation, and the holdbacks that had been [...]

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Would you support a tax cut?

Thumbnail image for Would you support a tax cut? by Joe Plumber December 13, 2009

Today (12/13/2009), the Associated Press reorted that “Idaho Republicans are pushing to cut individual and corporate income taxes by more than a third over the next decade, saying it would lure businesses and pump life into the slumping state economy. Their plan would cut Idaho’s corporate income tax rate of 7.6 percent and the individual [...]

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Blake Hall in the news again…

by Scuttlebutt December 11, 2009

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) – The Republican National Committee’s former chief lawyer has been sued for civil damages by a woman he pleaded guilty to stalking. The Idaho Statesman says 56-year-old Blake Hall was sued Monday in 7th District Court by Allison Chambers and her husband, John Chambers. Hall is also the former Idaho Republican [...]

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Defending America

by Chick Heileson December 11, 2009

One of the key purposes for creating our Union was to provide for the common defense of the states and the people. To ensure that we have liberty we must be protected from enemies both foreign and domestic. Defending the Constitution of the United States from those enemies is part of the oath that every soldier [...]

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“Insuring” Good Health

Thumbnail image for “Insuring” Good Health by Chick Heileson December 2, 2009

As Congress currently debates a massive government overhaul of our nation’s healthcare system, it seems a fundamental question is being left out of the debate: “Does the federal government have any right to discuss how to manage your personal health?”
The current administration is pushing for a government-run plan that will compete with private insurance plans. [...]

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Should states have the right to determine their own budgets?

Thumbnail image for Should states have the right to determine their own budgets? by Joe Plumber December 2, 2009

Earlier this week, I read an interesting article by Rebecca Boone of the Associated Press. The article, published in the local paper, Post Register, caught my eye with the title Idaho health providers seek to increase scope of lawsuit.  
As I read the article, I found it interesting that “a group of private agencies” that [...]

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We the People – An Educated Electorate

Thumbnail image for We the People – An Educated Electorate by Chick Heileson November 30, 2009

Today, public esteem for politicians is generally pretty low. A recent Rasmussen survey found that 73% of Americans trust the judgment of the American people more than the judgment of political leaders. Their surveys also found that “by a two-to-one margin, voters believe that no matter how bad things are, Congress can always make them [...]

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Blake Hall In Handcuffs?

Thumbnail image for Blake Hall In Handcuffs? by Eavesdropper November 6, 2009

The word around the water cooler is that the special prosecutor who was hired to review the allegations against Blake Hall is expected to submit his report as early as today.  Depending on what the report says, Blake Hall, who has worked as a Bonneville County Attorney, could end up in handcuffs.
Earlier this year, Blake [...]

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Idaho Democrats Abandon Non-Partisan Politics in City Elections

Thumbnail image for Idaho Democrats Abandon Non-Partisan Politics in City Elections by Larry Lyon November 2, 2009

With all the attention “Non- Partisan” politics has gotten in Idaho Falls since the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee voted 23 to 3 for the option to endorse candidates in city races, I did some research. What I found was very enlightening.
I did some research on the history of “non-partisan” politics in Idaho. The following [...]

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Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Attending Church

Thumbnail image for Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Attending Church by Kevin M. Wrathson October 22, 2009

According to the Associated Press,  new laws passed in the state of North Carolina last year made it illegal for a convicted sex offender named James Nichols to attend worship services at his Baptist church due to the presence of a daycare facility on the grounds.  On March 28, 2009, he was arrested at his [...]

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Does the Majority Really Decide Who Sits in the Oval Office?

Thumbnail image for Does the Majority Really Decide Who Sits in the Oval Office? by Kevin M. Wrathson October 16, 2009

A group called called National Popular Vote is a corporation that was founded by, among others, John Koza (inventor of the scratch-off lottery ticket) for the purpose of promoting the establishment of an interstate compact which would change the way our nation elects its president.  According to Mr. Koza, who has written and published a [...]

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Is it time for once prominent local politician Blake Hall to step aside?

by The Gadsden July 22, 2009

I know that when I first moved to Idaho Falls, Blake Hall was a name that was well respected, and is some circles well feared. However, I never quite understood why. I have met the man a few times and to be honest was never very impressed.

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Is it important that lawmakers disclose their personal finances to the public?

by Joe Plumber June 25, 2009

Do you think politicians should have to disclose their personal finances? Chime in here.

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Tea Party and Memorial Day Rally

by The Gadsden May 21, 2009

I was glad to see mention of this weekend’s Memorial Day Rally and Tea Party activity posted on the poll. Unfortunately, after reading the live chat portion of the blog, I realized many of the readers unaware of the details for the rally.
That being said, the Memorial Day rally is a great way to [...]

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Is Idaho ready for legal marijuana?

by slu2 May 18, 2009

On May 13th in the “Boise Weekly” there was an article ran about the 300 person crowd at the state capitol for the “Global Marijuana March”.
Ref:  http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A323768
I have been saying this for a long time, I believe that Idaho will be the 14th state for legalizing marijuana in one way or another.  However, it looks [...]

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Idaho Freedom Foundation: Meridian City Begins Posting Financial Data

by hallistone April 29, 2009

If Meridian can do this, why not Idaho Falls?  Why not our school districts? – Halli
Meridian officials have notified the Idaho Freedom Foundation that the city will soon begin posting line-item expenditure data on the municipality’s website. That makes Meridian the fourth Idaho community to agree to a new level of transparency, allowing citizens to [...]

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Local Senator Bart Davis vs. Election Date Consolidation

by Joe Plumber April 8, 2009

Idaho Falls Senator Bart Davis (R-33) is leading the charge in Boise to defeat an election consolidation bill, HB.201, which would increase voter activity and turnout. The bill would establish a permanent calendar for election dates. This means the voting public would know when they could expect an election to take place – no more [...]

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Idaho Legislative Scorecard (updated)

by hallistone April 2, 2009

My blogging friend Adam Graham takes the time each year to put together a scorecard for Idaho legislators based on key votes in both the House and the Senate.  While the final scorecard will not be out until the current session wraps up, Adam’s preliminary tally already gives a pretty good picture of who’s who.
Votes [...]

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The Otter Oddity: The Stimulus Bill in Idaho Going to Waste

by Jeremy Plothow March 14, 2009

A few weeks back, Governor C.L. Otter was publically debating whether or not he would be taking any of the money provided by the Democrat-backed and highly politically divisive Economic Stimulus Bill.  There was a sense in America that the bill’s fate rested in the hands of partisan politics as usual – “red” states were [...]

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Measure passes the Idaho House to consolidate elections – education associations in opposition.

by Joe Plumber March 6, 2009

Currently, Idaho law allows some 450 elections to be held on various dates throughout the year – quite amazing when you consider there are only 365 days per calendar year.
Today, March 6, the Idaho House of Representatives voted, 52-17, to consolidate election dates in an effort to boost voter turnout and transparency. Assuming the [...]

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Idaho asserts education as lowest priority

by Joe Vandal November 9, 2006

It seems America took four steps forward while Idaho took eight steps backwards this election. I don’t mean one party is or will be better than the other. I mean that folks were tired of the same, tired lines from one party and elected a new direction, a change up.
America’s change ups that are [...]

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Otter was rude, but people ate it up.

by Peter Nguyen November 2, 2006

Tuesday afternoon I staffed Jerry Brady (I work for him) as he attended the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
The previous night was spent at the debate in Twin Falls where Jerry just shined. It was great.
At the luncheon, Otter spoke first. He’s an excellent speaker. I guess that’s what comes with 30 years of [...]

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I wish “Absolute Idiot” Sali was one of my choices

by Joe Vandal November 2, 2006

I wish Bill “Absolute Idiot” Sali was running in my congressional district. I wish he were one of my representative choices, because then my choice would be easy; any other candidate would serve Idaho better than Bill Sali.
As it is now, we have a tough choice between two strong candidates, Mike Simpson and Jim Hansen. [...]

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Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Race: Jones vs. Luna

by Joe Vandal October 31, 2006

I wanted to start a discussion thread of Idaho’s candidates for our State Controller. The two contenders are Tom Luna and Jana Jones. I would personally like to see discussion of their past experience, training, accomplishments, and mistakes rather than what their party philosophies are.
Luna’s campaign site is http://www.tomluna4idaho.com/. Jones’ campaign site is http://www.jana4education.com/. It [...]

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