Mayor Lauren McLean Puts a Flag on Idaho’s Play (posted 04/18/25, updated 04/20/25, 04/22/25, 04/23/25)

While much of Idaho is considered a “red” state that supports traditional family values and the US and Idaho Constitutions, some Idaho cities lean strongly in the opposite direction.

🏳️‍🌈 What’s up with the flags in Boise?

Nowhere is this blue-leaning tint more vivid than in Boise, where Democrat Mayor Lauren McLean is defying Idaho’s new flag law – H0096 – by flying a non-compliant LBGTQ+ (Pride) flag at Boise City Hall.

Despite letters, calls, and emails from law-abiding citizens, the State’s Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Ada County Sheriff Clifford, and many legislators, Mayor McClean remains defiant and continues to fly the illegal flag.

❓Why is she doing this?

Because she can. H0096 has no teeth, no enforcement clause.

In Utah, for example, the recently passed HB77 allows the state auditor to investigate potential violations and impose fines of $500 per day for non-compliant government entities. No such enforcement exists in Idaho’s law H0096.

🔥Call to Action — What can citizens do?

Conservative groups are putting out a Call to Action:

Ask Governor Brad Little to put his own teeth into the flag law (H0096) by issuing an Executive Order to withhold state sales tax funds from the City of Boise until Mayor Lauren McLean complies with the law and removes the non-compliant flag permanently.

How to contact Governor Brad Little:

• ✉️ Email: Governor@gov.idaho.gov

• ☎️ Call: 208-334-2100

• 🗣️ Contact online: gov.idaho.gov/contact/c…

⚖️ What’s the flag kerfuffle all about? What’s in Idaho H0096?

H0096 amends Idaho Code 67-2303a. Flags – Proper Protocol. The amended law allows government entities to display only the following flags:

• The United States flag;

• The official flag of a governmental entity;

• Official flags of any state in the United States;

• Official flags of any of the military branches and units of the United States;

• The POW/MIA flag as provided for in section 67-2303, Idaho Code;

• Official flags of Indian tribes;

• Official flags of countries other than the United States to commemorate special occasions; and

• Official flags of Idaho colleges, universities, and public schools.

🏦 What can the Idaho legislature do?

The Idaho legislature must put teeth into the law next year. For example, as in Utah, they could impose stiff daily fines for flag violations. Or, they could withhold state funding from government entities that break the law. Or some combination of both — or any other creative approach.

ED NOTE TO LEGISLATORS
Please be sure every law you pass has enforcement and penalty teeth. Otherwise, laws will be ignored or considered as mere suggestions by scofflaw leaders and citizens. (Of course, every law passed must adhere to the US and State Constitutions.)

References:

Related Substack Note (includes latest updates)

• Idaho Flag Makes More Waves: Appeal to Heaven Flag Personally Removed by Boise Mayor, Tossed Aside: tinyurl.com/5md3k8u7

Laws

• Idaho H0096 - Flag display: tinyurl.com/2cp3wsd2

• Utah HB77 - Flag Display Amendments: tinyurl.com/3upy5m7v

• Idaho Legislators: Ask Legislators to VOTE YES for H0096 - Govt entities, flag displays - amended: tinyurl.com/px3uyf62

People & Press

• Press Release: Attorney General Labrador Asks Boise Mayor to Comply with State Law (04/15/25): tinyurl.com/y89neuze

• AG Raúl Labrador Issues Warning Letter to Boise Mayor Concerning Violation of Idaho Law. By Charity Joy (04/15/25): tinyurl.com/2zdjz3vd

• AG Labrador and Ada County Sheriff Face Rebuff from Boise Mayor Over Flag. By Idaho Dispatch Editor (04/16/25): tinyurl.com/mr3vx39t

• Flag Gate 2025. By Brian Almon (04/15/25): tinyurl.com/5a3baavm

• Local Conservative Activist Covers Up Boise’s Pride Flag, Puts up ‘Appeal to Heaven’ Flag. By Greg Pruett (04/20/25, note posted 04/21/25): tinyurl.com/5md3k8u7

• Boise City Councilmember Trolling Conservatives with Pride Flag Post. By Greg Pruett (04/11/25): tinyurl.com/bddv5s22

• Ex-MAGA Grandma Pam Hemphill Champions Boise’s LGBT Flag. By Greg Pruett (04/10/25): tinyurl.com/kejb3sba

• About Lauren McLean (Wikipedia): tinyurl.com/2p9wfkp5

Op Eds & Other States

• Boise's Mayor Sets the Example, But It's Leading Idaho Down a Dangerous Path. A Message from the Gang of 8. By Zito for Idaho (04/23/25) tinyurl.com/4j5xkxd2

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis May Remove Orlando’s Democratic Mayor If He Upholds Sanctuary City Policies. By Ben Kew (04/16/25): tinyurl.com/47233ecp

• Nowhere To Hyde - Idaho Laws or Suggestions? (04/15/25, video 12:04 includes transcript): tinyurl.com/3v5zpsnb

• Op-Ed: Democrats Against Democracy. By Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman (04/17/25) linked below: