Happy New Year!
The year has passed by so quickly and the Idaho Freedom Caucus (IFC) would like to highlight some of the 2024 accomplishments from our members. We shared many of our legislative victories in an April newsletter titled 2024 Legislative Recap. We are honored to serve the citizens of Idaho, and humbled by the outpouring of support.
Many believe that the Idaho legislature is a part time undertaking. We would disagree. Although the pay is part time ($19,900/year), the job is anything but part time. Hard working legislators engaged in representing their constituents work full time, all year long with the broad array of issues they deal with. We talk to and meet with constituents throughout the year, listening to concerns and finding solutions to their governmental problems. Endless calls and emails require daily if not hourly attention. Our group of liberty legislators work great as a team and actively engage to make Idaho a great place to call home. Here is a snapshot of what has transpired since the legislative session ended in March.
IFC members joined Traditional Families and Candlelight Christian Fellowship to host a fall festival roller-skating event with games prizes and food for North Idaho families.
Many of our members worked alongside others across the state, educating citizens about PROP 1 - Ranked choice voting. We attended events, spoke at meetings, and Representative Tony Wisniewski door knocked and hand delivered PROP 1 information to over 350 households! Our efforts paid off as PROP 1 was defeated by a large margin!
The Caucus hosted a Guys, Gals and Guns photo competition for our 2025 Calendar.
Senator Tammy Nichols was a delegate for President Trump at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.
We created a Vision and a plan for the future of Idaho and shared it with groups and Republican central committees across the state.
We attended Lincoln Day fundraising dinners, monthly Republican Central Committee meetings, county commissioner and school board meetings, community events and county fairs in our communities and Districts. These are our favorite times to connect with constituents, gather legislative ideas and hear issues of concern.
IFC sent a letter to President Trump requesting a visit to Idaho.
IFC members toured Thompson Creek Mine in Clayton, ID; descended more than a mile underground in Hecla’s Lucky Friday Mine in Wallace, ID; toured the new Money Metals Depository (larger than Fort Knox) located in Eagle, ID; attended the North Idaho Legislative Tour in Coeur d’Alene; and visited local businesses and colleges to discuss topics related to proposed legislation.
Many IFC members actively campaigned against democrat challengers during the summer and fall.
Three of our members were picked to be on an interim legislative Committee to study and discuss proposed legislation to address the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion movement in our schools.
A few of our members were hosted on The Solari Report program for an Idaho back casting event.
Members attended the Live Action Legislative event in North Carolina to hear updated information on coming actions related to the post-Roe vs Wade Supreme court ruling. Many interesting legislative ideas related to addressing life, foster care, adoption and other family issues were discussed.
The Idaho Freedom Caucus had a meeting with The American Lands Council and joined the amicus brief with Utah requesting the US Supreme Court provide an answer concerning unallocated BLM lands and ownership.
Many of our members attended the Pro Family Legislative event in Texas with David Barton and WallBuilders. This incredible annual legislative policy event addresses issues such as religious freedoms, family law, historical events and traditional family values. Most of our members also attended the Hale Institute Defending the Family Seminar in Boise to better understand family law with respect to recent judicial rulings.
The entire legislature went to Boise in early December for the Legislature organization and committee assignments for the 2025 session. With so many new conservatives in the legislative body, many of our IFC members received chairman and vice chairman positions. Vice Chair positions of public members in the House include: Hawkins- Education; Alfieri- Judiciary & Rules; Wisniewski- Commerce and Human Resources; and Scott: State Affairs. In the Senate: Nichols- Agriculture Chair; Hart- Resource & Environment Vice Chair.
IFC members are finalizing language for our proposed 2025 legislation and will be ready to go on January 6th!
This is just a glimpse of what we accomplished during the “off-season.” Imagine what we’ll achieve during the session! We’re excited about our plans for the upcoming session and the opportunities 2025 holds. With President Trump returning to the White House, we are optimistic about seeing great things happen for Idaho and our nation.
Happy New Year!
Idaho Freedom Caucus
Thank you for taking the time to communicate. Looking forward to an exciting session.