Idaho Resource Guide
Background
For the past several decades, the state of Idaho has been one of the most consistently Republican states in both national and local elections. The relatively conservative government has ensured the state one of the lowest tax burdens in the Interior West, in turn contributing to high population growth.
The Idaho state legislature consists of 35 Senators and 70 Representatives. Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers and the governor is a Republican as well. Idaho is home to a part-time legislature and session usually runs from January until mid-March.
Issues
Initiative and Referendum
Idahoans have both direct and indirect initiative and referendum rights. Recall of all statewide elected officials, except those of the judiciary, is permitted. There is also widespread recall at the local level.
Term Limits
In 1994 Idaho voters embraced an initiative dictating term limits for state lawmakers as well as local officials.Eight years later, the Idaho Legislature became the first legislative body in the nation to repeal terms limits, overriding a veto by then governor Dick Kempthorne. A popular referendum could still be organized to "repeal the repeal."
Eminent Domain and Forced Annexation
In 2006 an initiative meant to limit the use of eminent domain for private groups failed at the ballot. In terms of local government annexation, Idaho's Forced Annexation Law allows cities to designate unincorporated land for future incorporation under city tax codes. Many citizens oppose this policy as an unfair means of increasing tax revenue.
Think Tanks
Education Excellence Idaho
http://www.edexidaho.org/
Idaho Charter School Network
http://csi.boisestate.edu/icsn.htm
Action Groups
Idahoans for Open Government
http://www.openidaho.org
Associated Taxpayers of Idaho
http://www.ati-taxinfo.com/
Idahoans for Tax Reform
http://www.idtaxreform.com/
Vote for a Better Idaho
http://www.voteforabetteridaho.org/
Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families
http://www.idchartercoalition.org/
Blogs
Trish and Halli
http://www.trishandhalli.com/
Free Market Duck
http://www.freemarketduck.com/
The Idahoan
http://www.theidahoan.com/
Whitecaps
http://whitecaps.blogspot.com/
Grassroots Idaho GOP
http://grassrootsidgop.wordpress.com/
Resources
Census Data
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16000.html
Elections, Campaign Disclosure, and Lobbyists
http://www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/eleindex.htm
Idaho Legislature - Budget and Policy Analysis
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/budget/index.htm
Department of Commerce - Community Profiles
http://community.idaho.gov/Profiles/tabid/440/Default.aspx
Political News
Eyes on Boise
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/boise
Idaho Political News—U.S. Politics Today
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/idaho/
