Standing Strong

The Fight for Freedom, Truth, and Accountability.

Sometimes, I don’t even know where to begin or what to share with all of you. Honestly, some days, I just want to come home, shut down, and disappear into a world where my biggest concern is what’s for dinner. The phrase “ignorance is bliss” has never felt more relatable—because right now, bliss sounds like a quiet evening, no news alerts, and maybe a bowl of ice cream.

But you have elected me to serve and fight for you, and I take that responsibility to heart. So, I will stay the course—diligent, steadfast, and committed to keeping you informed. Our freedoms depend on knowledge, awareness, and engagement. As Thomas Jefferson wisely said, “A well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.” Or, as he also put it, “When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

Your overwhelming support gives me the courage to stand strong. It not only empowers me but also serves as a shield—because those in leadership know that I am backed by many who believe in the same principles of liberty and justice.

Let’s talk about the income tax cut—I voted for it because it was barely better than nothing. If you make $70,000 a year, you’ll see about $27 more a month in your paycheck—not enough to keep up with inflation.

Meanwhile, in my Appropriations Committee and work groups, I keep hearing the same argument: we must give government employees raises above the 5% change in employment compensation to keep them from leaving for the private sector. But why is our government competing with private businesses?

When the government raises wages, businesses have to do the same to keep employees. Then, the government raises wages again to keep up, creating a never-ending cycle—one that could eventually push private businesses to shut down. And when that happens, where will the government get the tax revenue to pay its own employees?

I also want to point out that this income tax cut happened because we voted on an inflated $6.4 billion revenue forecast—without making any real budget cuts. But what if revenues don’t meet expectations? I was told we’d have to come back next session and cut the budget. That’s completely backwards to me. To learn more click HERE .

Instead, we should set a realistic revenue estimate and cut the budget now. I did vote for the $6.4 billion forecast because my vote was the deciding factor in avoiding a longer session. However, I plan to take a deeper dive into the budget over the summer and come back with proposed cuts.

That brings me to DOGE bill H364—while I support DOGE, I don’t believe it should be overseen by elected officials. The reality is, our Legislature isn’t willing to cut back now, as shown by recent House and Senate votes. We’re heading for another budget increase.

Idaho needs a citizen committee to dig into government spending. I encourage you to form a team and find a legislator willing to provide the information needed to expose fraud, abuse, and overspending. It’s time for accountability.

We don’t need the same people who created this mess now claiming they can fix it—that’s like putting the fox in the henhouse and expecting it to protect the chickens.

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Medicaid: We’ll soon be hearing bill H345, which could save an estimated $27 million in tax dollars—better than nothing, but far short of H138, which could save up to $1 billion. Why not vote on both?

So, who’s holding up H138? While the Senate Chair plays a role, the real opposition comes from hospitals and other government entities that want it buried. They were likely shocked when it passed the House, and there’s a good chance it would pass the Senate—but we may never get the chance to find out.

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To vape or not to vape—that is the question!

Here’s something interesting: the bill that has sparked the most public input isn’t about grocery tax repeal, Medicaid reform, or even school choice—it’s H244, which would make certain vaping devices illegal in Idaho.

I’ve received over a thousand emails on this bill alone—more than all those other hot-button issues combined! Who knew?

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Our Sine Die date is March 21—will we make it? I sure hope so because I dread going even a day over.

But we’re at that point in the session where leadership in both chambers holds key bills hostage to push their priorities through. This year, it’s maintenance bills—two in the Senate, two in the House. They know that once we pass them, we could end the session, since our primary job as legislators is to set the budget for the next year.

The House has proposed 387 bills, along with 16 concurrent resolutions, 7 joint memorials, 6 joint resolutions, and 13 House resolutions. Meanwhile, the Senate has introduced 165 bills, 11 concurrent resolutions, 3 joint memorials, 1 joint resolution, and 9 Senate resolutions, plus numerous gubernatorial appointments.

But how many will actually make it to the governor’s desk and get signed? I’m guessing optimistically, but I’d be surprised if even 100 make it.

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Bible Verse of the Week:

Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Quote of the week:

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” ~J. K. Rowling

Song of the week: