Our fundamental right to the initiative and referendum process is under attack again by the Idaho Legislature. This shouldn’t surprise anybody. Since Idahoans voted in 1912 to add to the constitution their initiative and referendum rights, the Idaho Legislature has historically shown disdain…
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.
People told me something I’ve never heard before as I was knocking on doors last year: “Stop the crazy!” Voters are concerned about increased extremism and inflammatory rhetoric in the Idaho Legislature: a fear-mongering alphabet soup of acronyms (CRT, SEL, DEI, ESG, etc.), witch hunt task f…
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…
Do you have FOG in your sewer line? I bet you do. FOG, also known as fats, oils and grease, is in everyone’s sewer line, and getting into city sewer mains. It collects on the walls of the pipe and in the low spots of the pipe. Once it starts, it keeps growing and adding, closing off the pipe…
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.
Some people have become so alarmed by what children might read in school or in libraries that they want books they don’t like removed — immediately. The targeted books include scenes of sexual awakening, gender identity, racism or violence.
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.”
Before we talk about solutions to the current solid waste dilemma in Idaho County, let’s review the problems.
Most of us are familiar with the expression, “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” It means that Peter is being robbed so Paul can receive a benefit. To mix metaphors it means Peter is “getting the short end of the stick.” That is exactly what some right-wing legislators have in mind for Idaho’s publ…
The Idaho Supreme Court has recognized, “In the American concept, there is no greater right to the supervision of the education of the child than that of the parent. In no other hands could it be safer.” But apart from the new and limited “Empowering Parents Program,” Idaho currently facilit…
The last article provided an overview of solid waste in Idaho County. Our focus today will be dumpsters.
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.
Adoption provides opportunities to turn heartbreak into love and growth for Idaho children in need of a loving home and the families who are blessed with their additions. According to the Children’s Bureau, an office within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 353 children were …
With all the changes in registrations recently, the Idaho County Assessor’s Office has some answers for commonly asked questions by the community:
This month, Mountain States Policy Center released our comprehensive Idaho Poll. Digging through the numbers, just about anyone can find something they like or something of which they might disagree. On education, the results were clear and can be summarized with three simple points: (1) Ida…
One of my fondest childhood memories of Christmas in the 1970s was riding around in the family station wagon, “Bessie,” to look at Christmas lights while I whined to my parents about needing a snack – again. There was something magical about a familiar evening landscape transformed to a radi…
For well more than 40 years, Penny Keck has been the motor who drives the Lowell QRU, a volunteer-operated ambulance unit serving from the Middle Fork and Selway, up the Lochsa to the Montana line. In honor of those decades of service, the Lowell QRU crew gathered with a max capacity of loca…
Growing up in Cottonwood, a rural town in northern Idaho, you get used to people wearing a few different professional hats. For instance, two coaches at my high school were also physicians in our community. I saw how these Cottonwood physicians were actively involved in improving the health …
Donald Trump could be remembered as one of the most successful one-term presidents in history. Historic tax cuts, unparalleled deregulation, three Supreme Court appointments, securing the border, a robust economy, making the US energy independent, the list goes on.
(Editor's note: For clarification, this guest opinion was by Mr. Brandt as a private citizen, not as in his role as Idaho County Commissioner.)
When the leaves start changing colors and there’s a cold breeze in the air, we begin to think of fall and spending time with friends and family as the holiday season nears. What we don’t have on our minds is the beginning of the respiratory illness season, such as influenza, and the importan…
Idaho is made even greater by the more than 116,000 veterans, the 4,063 active-duty servicemembers and the 8,367 National Guard and reserve members who live here. We have been working steadily to ensure federal policy supports their service and makes it easier for them to live here in Idaho.…
To my fellow Idahoans:
(Editor’s note: With all the discussion on this rescue on social media, and the public service emphasis on preparedness from the agency, the Free Press wanted to provide the public the full Idaho County Sheriff’s Office press release on this incident.)
The results from Tuesday’s election continue to ripple through state legislatures and school boards across the nation. Exit polling shows that public education was one of the top issues on the minds of voters – especially parents.
Nov. 14-20 is National Apprenticeship Week and marks the celebration of a proven and time-honored career pathway. Right now, 236 Idaho businesses sponsor apprenticeships, with more than 1,800 participating Idahoans getting paid on the job.
The latest attack on everyday Idahoans from Blaine Conzatti and his far-right GOP cronies has gone public: the same special interest groups banning abortion, banning books, and using their backroom connections in government to ban anything that doesn’t meet their strict moral codes, now want…
Idaho Governor Brad Little made headlines recently, announcing a $1 million push to fight the influx of illicit fentanyl in our state. While there’s much discussion in the political arena over the methods to combat drug trafficking, Optum Idaho remains committed to helping those in our commu…
All active duty and retired military personnel deserve to receive the full care and benefits they have earned. When Major Richard A. Star, namesake and champion of S. 344, the Major Richard Star Act, passed away last year after a long fight against cancer, our country lost a resolute leader …
Two important days to our republic are in early November—Election Day, this year on Nov. 8, followed closely by Veterans Day on Nov. 11. It is fitting we honor veterans and servicemembers so close to Election Day. Our right as Americans to self-governance, carried out through voting, has bee…
When several well-known Republicans recently endorsed Democrat Tom Arkoosh for Attorney General, the condemnation of these Republicans from the Idaho Republican Party leadership was quick, damning and unforgiving.
As the Nov. 8 General Election quickly approaches, it is important for voters to understand the processes and precautions we take to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the election. Nationally, election officials are under intense scrutiny. Internet and television news sources have been re…
A small question on your November ballot could have big, detrimental consequences for Idahoans if approved.
For many years, Idaho’s policymakers have attempted to address problems related to “the teacher pipeline” by focusing on recruitment: reducing professional certification requirements, increasing ‘alternative route’ teacher preparation programs, and providing one-time incentives like Senate B…
Yesterday’s GOP, tomorrow's new Democrats
As the Idaho County Clerk, I have been fortunate to participate in a number of organizations designed to help me excel as a county leader serving our citizens. I currently sit on the board of directors of one such organization—the National Association of Counties or NACo.
In the 1987 film “Full Metal Jacket,” soldiers march to the chant “This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun,” grabbing their genitals for the word “gun.” Turns out they’re both legal and lethal weapons.
Let me get right to the point: I would work harder and smarter for Idaho in Congress than Mr. Fulcher ever has. If he would agree to debate me, I believe I could prove it. Perhaps Mr. Fulcher agrees. Consider the following: 1. Mr. Fulcher refuses to debate me in fair, time-honored public for…
As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Concerns with President Biden’s announcement of student loan debt cancellation are among the issues Idahoans have contacted me about recently. The following is my response:
September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge those affected by suicide, raise awareness, reduce stigma and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services.
Garbage has been a front-page issue recently and many people are concerned. As a former county commissioner, I would like to offer insight.
More than three million people have been caught trying to illegally cross the southern border since President Biden took office.
The Idaho Department of Labor is committed to assisting local businesses in the successful recruiting and onboarding of talented and skilled veterans into your workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills gained through military service and also recogni…
When Congress debated the "American Rescue Plan" in early 2021, Democrats insisted this partisan, $1.9 trillion debt-financed spending spree would not fuel inflation and was needed for an economy already in quick recovery.
Congress recently passed, and the president signed into law, S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Although this law contained some needed solutions to address mental illness, threat identification and school safety, I voted against this bill because it will abridge the rights of la…
The last thing school patrons may have on their minds as they squeeze in that last barbecue or vacation of the summer is exercising their responsibility as citizens to vote. That’s why it’s so important to remind patrons that some important elections are coming up soon.
I have long fought efforts to politicize financial decisions. Sadly, this is something we continue to see at the federal level. For example, look at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC’s primary focus should be shoring up the strength and stability of the U.S. capital …
Even as Idahoans are reeling from pain at the pump, shock in the grocery aisles and continued erosion of their paychecks, Democrats continue to advocate for using partisan budget tools to raise taxes and increase spending.
