It’s now the second week of February. The Treasure Valley saw about eight inches of snow earlier this week, and temperatures will be dropping into the single digits soon.
Do you think we could move the Legislature to summertime, or even springtime?
I suppose not.
As you know, the Gem State Chronicle is reader supported:
- Paid subscribers via Substack get bonus notes with most articles, giving me an opportunity to share behind-the-scenes thoughts with supporters, as well as early access to podcasts and significant discounts in the merch store.
- Do you have a small business you want to advertise? I’ll put your ad on the top of the Chronicle homepage, on the article sidebar, and will shout it out on any podcasts I release during the sponsorship. I’ll also write an article on behalf of sponsors, whether about a particular issue or just sharing their story. Send me a message and we’ll get it done. Take the time to visit this month’s sponsors: Sign Idaho Family Policy Center’s petition to bring Bible reading back to schools, and Lynn Bradescu’s Keller Williams Realty is a regular sponsor as well. I appreciate the support!
- Finally, I also offer freelance writing and editing services. Reach out to me if you have a project you’d like me to consult with you on.
This week at the Chronicle…
On Monday, I analyzed the big school choice bill. Why is it big? Because it’s the one that leadership has rallied around, the one that is most likely to gain the most consensus support. I think it’s a reasonable start.
On Wednesday, I took a look at the bigger picture of public school reform. What’s the point of the system? What problems was it originally meant to solve? How can we solve those problems heading into the second quarter of the 21st century?
On Thursday, I followed up with an examination of one of the chief lobbying groups that opposes school choice, and its dubious connections to your tax dollars.
On Friday, I hosted my weekly Gem State Report program. Rep. Wendy Horman, sponsor of the school choice bill and co-chair of JFAC, was kind enough to join me.
I also published several interesting guest editorials this week:
- Steven Thayn on open discussion
- Charity Joy on the broken judiciary
- Sen. Christy Zito on a the state of the session thus far
- Gov. Brad Little on attending President Trump’s signing of an executive order protecting women’s sports
- Attorney General Raúl Labrador also on the subject of women’s sports
In other news…
Are you catching the signal? Watch Idaho Signal every weekday at 11:30am MDT for the latest on the legislative session. Catch this clip from last week in which Daniel Schmid of the Liberty Council explains how an officer in the Idaho National Guard was punished for his religious and political views:
Carl Benjamin looked at this moment in history, a moment of seeming triumph for the right:
Michael Malice hosted the irreverent Count Dankula for a fun discussion:
Fred Birnbuam of the Idaho Freedom Foundation explained why vaccine mandates infringe upon our rights, even when the mandate comes from a private company:
Speaking of IFF, Capitol Clarity this week featured Reps. Josh Tanner and Cornel Rasor discussing Idaho’s sovereignty:
Curtis Yarvin, who once wrote under the pseudonym Mencius Moldbug, was not optimistic for a second Trump administration. Last week he wrote that he was wrong. Read his essay, or watch Auron MacIntyre break it down for you:
Finally, a fun video on paradoxes:
Upcoming events…
Friends in the Pocatello area, join me next Saturday evening for a Liberty Dinner in which I’ll break down the first half of the legislative session:
If you’re up north, and you don’t want to drive all that way, the Kootenai County GOP is hosting former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer at their Lincoln Day Dinner:
If you’re in the Eagle area, join the District 14 legislators for a town hall meeting on Thursday, February 20 at the Eagle Community Hall (inside the City Hall building):
Thank you all for your support as I continue to bring you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Make sure to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Rumble. Have a great weekend!
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.
