Did you catch Capitol Clarity at noon on Thursday? You might have seen a familiar face there. New Idaho Freedom Foundation president Ron Nate asked me to help produce the weekly program this session so I found myself at the podium once again. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m excited to once again take part in this great program. Out of everything I had the privilege to be a part of with IFF in 2023, Capitol Clarity was my favorite.
In yesterday’s program, Ron Nate began with a lovely tribute to IFF founder Wayne Hoffman, who has stepped aside after fifteen years of leading Idaho’s premier liberty-oriented think tank and policy center. Nate then delivered a blistering attack on politicians who arrogantly mortgage our future for short term gain while claiming the mantle of conservatism.
Fred Birnbaum came next, explaining what the governor’s budget proposal is really about, and how he’s using shell games to hide spending increases.
Idaho Freedom Caucus co-chairs Sen. Tammy Nichols and Rep. Heather Scott laid out the priorities of their group and were joined for questions and answers by the rest of the public Freedom Caucus members, save Rep. Mike Kingsley who had another engagement.
Watch the whole program here:
Capitol Clarity began in January 2021, the brainchild of then Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin and then Rep. Dorothy Moon. McGeachin has those videos archived on her Rumble channel starting from the very first program and they’re worth checking out.
The beauty of Capitol Clarity is in how it brings people and elected officials together. It can often seem like there is a wall between voters and lawmakers, that once you’re in office or working in government you’re elevated to a higher class than normal people. Here in Idaho, that wall is much smaller, and Capitol Clarity eliminates it entirely. Anyone can come in person, hear from a lawmaker or government official, then chat with them after the program. It’s really neat.
Come on down to the Capitol this session, meet your lawmakers, and see the legislative process up close. Remember to bookmark the Session Spotlight page over at the Gem State Chronicle to stay updated on the most important bills of the year.
Head over to Substack for a short subscriber note.
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
