Editorials, columns, and other guest submissions are published at the discretion of the editor. If you would like Gem State Chronicle to publish your work, please submit it to editor@gemstatechronicle.com.
- Vote No on West Ada Levy
By Jerry Gibbs Voters should closely examine ballot measures, from any taxing authority, with an eye of skepticism. Ballot language, which is written by taxpayer funded lawyers and loosely approved by local election offices, are usually written to cover the real purpose for the measure and true cost of your YES vote. Much of the… Read more: Vote No on West Ada Levy - Labrador Letter – Biden’s False Narrative
Women in Idaho deserve the best possible medical care and their lives should always be protected. Full stop. My office recently defended our Defense of Life Act before the U.S. Supreme Court against the Biden administration’s attempt to finagle federal law to override Idaho’s law that explicitly protects both the lives of women and their… Read more: Labrador Letter – Biden’s False Narrative - Keep Fighting for Liberty
By Dorothy Moon Many of us are old enough to remember what our country was like before everything went mad. Whether you grew up in the 1950s, 70s, or 90s, you remember an America where we knew the difference between boys and girls and individual rights were sacred. Our country was a force for good… Read more: Keep Fighting for Liberty - White Elephant or Trojan Horse
They have been calling themselves “Republican” for so long they have started to believe it. Senator Scott Herndon, Freedom Caucus member. There is a LOT in the (Republican) Platform that I don’t agree with. Sandy Patano, North Idaho “Republican” (NIR) founder. The NIR logo is a White Elephant and a “White Elephant” is something that… Read more: White Elephant or Trojan Horse - A Time Meant for Warriors
By David Leavitt My life’s journey has been one dedicated to serving our great nation with twelve years of honorable service including three combat tours. It’s a privilege and honor to be part of the legacy of the 101st Airborne Division, whose valor stretches back to the hallowed battlegrounds of World War II. The 101st… Read more: A Time Meant for Warriors - Point/Counterpoint: Debunking the Baseless Criticisms of the Idaho Freedom Foundation
This article is in response to an essay by Robert Gillis of Idaho Tough on Crime. By Fred Birnbaum Recently, Robert Gillis, a retired California Law Enforcement Officer, wrote a lengthy letter critical of the role that the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) plays in public policy in Idaho, condemnatory of our influence on legislation and… Read more: Point/Counterpoint: Debunking the Baseless Criticisms of the Idaho Freedom Foundation - Point/Counterpoint: Public Review of IFF and IDFC
Fred Birnbaum of the Idaho Freedom Foundation responded to this essay here. By Robert Gillis An open letter to the citizens of Idaho, My name is Robert Gillis. I am the president of the non-profit organization Idaho Tough On Crime. I am a retired peace officer, who spent twenty-five years in the profession. The majority… Read more: Point/Counterpoint: Public Review of IFF and IDFC - Summary of 2nd Amendment Bills in 2024
By Devin Miller 249 years ago, a small bandwagon of residents stood between their local community and an army of more than 700 Redcoats at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The goal of the Redcoat Army leaders was to seize Firearms and arrest political opponents to a regime thousands of miles away. Within a handful of… Read more: Summary of 2nd Amendment Bills in 2024 - Labrador Letter – Title IXBy Raúl Labrador Dear Friends, This week, I filed a lawsuit with three other states challenging the Biden Administration’s disturbing re-write of Title IX, the law that has protected women in our education systems since 1972. Title IX protected women’s access to educational opportunities, school sports, services, participation, and facilities without discrimination. That was, until… Read more: Labrador Letter – Title IX
- What Makes a Republican a Republican?By Dorothy Moon In Idaho, becoming a Republican is as easy as checking a box on a form, and we welcome all who support time-tested Republican values. What are those values, really? What is it that makes a Republican a Republican? Ask around and you’ll hear lots of opinions about what true Republicans believe. The… Read more: What Makes a Republican a Republican?
- A Republic or a Direct Democracy
By Christy Zito Benjamin Franklin famously said, “A republic, if you can keep it,” in response to Elizabeth Powell’s question on whether we have a republic or a monarchy. This is one clear example of our founding fathers’ intent on how our government is intended to function. However, over the generations, we have moved farther… Read more: A Republic or a Direct Democracy - Integrity in Affiliation ExplainedBy Dorothy Moon Every two years, the Idaho Republican Party asks primary candidates to sign the Integrity in Affiliation Form. This simply asks if candidates have read and support the Idaho State Constitution and the Idaho Republican Platform. Sounds simple, but nothing is ever simple in today’s media and political environment. Some, apparently troubled with… Read more: Integrity in Affiliation Explained
- Idaho’s budget reform hasn’t saved taxpayers money… yet
By Niklas Kleinworth Fiscal conservatives secured a major victory when lawmakers voted to split budget requests for each state agency into two bills, one that maintains the existing budget and a second that considers budget increases. Even with this reform, however, taxpayers are still on the hook for this year’s $13.9 billion spending spree. Recent… Read more: Idaho’s budget reform hasn’t saved taxpayers money… yet - Op-Ed by Rep. Julianne Young: Horman and Grow’s Unprecedented Contribution to State Fiscal Responsibility
I have witnessed unprecedented growth in state spending during my six years of legislative service, from a total budget of $8 billion to $14 billion, with budget growth averaging 10% per year. Despite the double-forked promises stereotypical politicians may offer, this trajectory is unsustainable. Idaho can’t continually increase government spending at these levels AND reduce… Read more: Op-Ed by Rep. Julianne Young: Horman and Grow’s Unprecedented Contribution to State Fiscal Responsibility - The IDGOP Loves the GrassrootsBy Dorothy Moon In 1854, Americans from all walks of life gathered in churches, schoolhouses, and community centers to build what would become the Republican Party. Our party has always worked best when authority and legitimacy come from the ground up rather than the top down. My election as Chair at the 2022 State Convention… Read more: The IDGOP Loves the Grassroots