Voters Sent a Message to Politicians This November, But the Cronies Missed the Memo. By Niklas Kleinworth (11/20/24)

Special interests who controlled the political landscape in Idaho for so long are still pushing for business as usual, despite the clear mandate from voters in November 2024.

Most of the Idaho Legislature gathered for three days in North Idaho to learn about the Gem State’s economic engine. They received lectures advocating for more kickbacks, government schools, subsidies, and welfare while demonizing freedom-first policies like school choice, parental rights, and self-reliance.

Kleinworth points out that many legislators who failed to champion conservative views on education freedom, immigration, and parental rights were shown the door in favor of candidates with strong support for these issues. He illustrated how the defeat of Proposition 1 and support for citizens-only voting showed voter support for election integrity.

He then described some policies that special interests lobbied for (or against) during the Legislative Tour, including:

• School choice

• Entitlements and handouts

• Idaho Launch

• Parental rights (especially the right of parents to determine medical care for their kids)

Kleinworth concludes:

Idahoans will not stand for this abuse of the system to pad the pockets of big business. The Founders never intended for the government to distribute charity, be a top investor, and provide welfare to the masses.

While the establishment clearly expects business as usual, Idaho voters made their position clear that they want to shrink government, lower taxes, and bolster freedoms.