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Idaho Politics & Budget — Zito for Idaho Your voice in the Idaho legislature. By Idaho Senator Christy Zito (11/26/25)
Christy Zito, part of Idaho’s conservative Gang of Eight and its leader, outlines her past and future priorities to help Idahoans get the best out of their state government. Zito is a strong voice of reason, ethical principles, and eloquence in the Idaho legislature.
Summary (Grok ai, edited; image from articles)
Idaho Legislator Sen. Christo Zito announces her return to Substack and leadership of the Gang of Eight, a group of eight legislators committed to serving Idaho.
She highlights their budget pledge that could have saved taxpayers nearly $1 billion, criticizes current spending leading to a $58 million shortfall, opposes legislative pay increases, advocates for repealing the food tax, addresses chemical abortions' impacts, and proposes legislation to protect Second Amendment rights.
Budget and Spending
Gang of Eight took a budget pledge to save Idaho taxpayers nearly $1 billion.
Idaho now faces a $58 million budget shortfall that is growing.
Fred Birnbaum from Idaho Freedom Foundation states that restraining spending could have kept appropriations at just over $7 billion instead of over $8.5 billion, equating to eliminating property taxes on homeowners ($1.1 billion) and other residential property ($500 million), totaling about $1.6 billion.
Recommends checking the 2025 Idaho Fiscal Facts Handbook (legislature.idaho.gov/l…).
Inflation is rising, and many legislators spend without regard for family challenges.
Legislative Pay Increase Zito opposed a 25% pay increase approved by the Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation and accepted by the majority of the legislature. Her constituents did not receive such an increase.
Food Tax Repeal
Zito feels a moral obligation to eliminate the food tax, having worked on it since 2017.
It is a burden on families and part of the Idaho Republican Party Platform.
A poll showed 87% support for repeal.
Criticizes the system where government takes money and requires filing returns or saving receipts for refunds.
Future Issues
Preborn children are killed via mail-order chemical abortions using mifepristone and misoprostol, with remains and drug residues flushed into sewer and water systems.
This creates moral, medical, and environmental crises, contaminating water.
Calls for protecting human life and the environment.
Second Amendment Rights
Protecting self-defense rights is a priority for Idahoans.
Zito has worked with the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance.
A service member spent $30,000 in legal fees defending his right to protect his family; charges were dismissed but he was not reimbursed.
Proposing legislation to:
Protect citizens from frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions related to Second Amendment rights.
Ensure reimbursement of legal defense costs if found not guilty or case dismissed.
Closing More issues to address later. Challenges require involvement from all to ensure freedoms and opportunities for children. Zito promises to continue being a voice in the legislature, thanks supporters.
Related:
Petition to Repeal Food Tax: tinyurl.com/ynfbj5as
Idaho Second Amendment Alliance: idahosaa.org
Zito for Idaho website: zitoforidaho.com
Gang of Eight Substack: idahogangofeight.substa…
Our voting guide: tinyurl.com/52wevecb
