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Idaho Falls Public Library November 2, 2023 4pm Reporter H2 My observation of the meeting tonight is how vague the introduction of the topics are. I had to really pay attention to what was being said to pick up on the topic of the “Books”. I would recommend getting the minutes and the names of the attendees of the TwinFalls Meeting. * One of the items that was discussed at Twin Falls was a “Tiered Card System” and it was mentioned by one of the female Library attendees is that the Twin Falls meeting was favorable and a “Lobbiest” gave a “shout out”. Robert the administrator mentioned that Senator Cindy Carlson was a sponsor of last year’s HB314. He also mentioned that he had a long meeting with her and it went well and that he was told that the amount of legislators (I think he said a total of 13) that attended was remarkable because they had other meetings scheduled. Robert also mentioned regarding the Tiered Card System that Legislators want to wait as so not to be compromised. (?). What is this Tiered Card System all about? The two City Board members, Mary Lund and Rod Rapp discussed how the legislators didn’t think most of the books were offensive. Mary Lund is hoping for a compromise from both parties. *Note: From Cheryl Papke: I went to the Twin Falls Library website and was surprised they did not even have board members or meetings listed that I could find, so no minutes. I went to IFPL website to find minutes from the meeting of November 2, there was a hot link “to submit a public records request”, to the city of Idaho Falls, that link did not work, and this is what the link took me to: We're sorry, but there is not a web page matching your entry . Thank you to all the reporters that take the time to attend! Reporter H1

CITY OF IONA PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Iona has postponed a public hearing that was originally scheduled for October 11, 2023 at 6:30pm. To ensure a quorum of the P&Z Commission members are present, the meeting will now be held on October 16, 2023 at 6:30pm, at the Iona City Building, which is located at 3548 North Main Street, Iona, Idaho. The purpose of the hearing is to consider an Application for Annexation and Initial Zoning for a parcel now owned by the City of Iona, Parcel# RP03N38E368396, located on the north side of 49th North, between 45th East and 55th East. If such annexation is granted, the proposed zoning of the property will be Single Family Residential (R-1) and the Comprehensive Plan will be amended with the designation of such area as Residential, as provided in such Plan. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a second public hearing will be conducted before the Iona City Council at 7:05pm on October 17, 2023 at the Iona City Building, also for the purpose of considering said annexation and initial zoning. Parcel# RP03N38E368396 is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point on the North right of way line of a County Road, said point being 2631.00 feet East and 25 Feet North of the S.W. Corner of Section 36, Township 3N Range 38 East of the Boise Meridian; said point of beginning also being coincident with the S.W. Corner of land now or formerly belonging to Bonneville County; thence running N. 1°05’ W. a distance of 1313.00 feet; thence running N. 89°16’E. a distance of 270.00 feet; thence turning and running S. 34°51’ E. a distance of 326.30 feet, more or less, to the N.E. Corner of land of said County; thence along the North and West boundary of said land as follows; S. 83°33’ W. 75.00 feet; thence S. 24°04’ W. 201.80 feet; thence S. 36°39’ W. 289.70 feet; thence S. 17°34’ W. 265.90 feet; thence S. 8°58’ W. 155.40 feet; thence S. 0°29’W. a distance of 215.00 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning. Also, beginning at a point on the North right of way line of a County Road said point being 2631.00 feet East and 25.00 feet North of the SW Corner of Section 36, Township 3N, Range 38 E of the Boise Meridian. Thence running along the East Bank of a ditch as follows: N 0°29’ E 215.00 feet; thence N 8°58’ E 155.40 feet; thence N 17°34’ E 265.90 feet; thence N 36°39’ E 289.70 feet; thence N 24°04’ E 201.80 feet; thence turning and running N 83°33’ E a distance of 75.00 feet; thence turning and running S 4°55’ W a distance of 1046.50 feet, more or less, to said north right of way line; thence S 89°16’ W a distance of 346.50 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning. Containing: 11.77 acres

LGC Reports are a compilation of notes taken at local government meetings and information shared with the committee from organizations and community members. Reports do not reflect the official positions of the Bonneville County Republican Party. We encourage the reader to research information and consider all sides of any issue. The intent of the LGC is to inform citizens of Bonneville County and encourage them to become involved in all levels of their community and local government. OCTOBER 2023 - IDAHO FALLS PLANNING COMMISSION 1. Public hearing- rezone request from LC, Limited Commercial to CC, Central Commercial for the area generally located north of Whittier St, east of N Freeman Ave, south of E Elva St, west of Holmes Ave Approved with a 3-2 vote. Those voting against it felt that that the LC zoning gave enough options. A citizen testified that they are concerned about the sewer and traffic. One of the options proposed was converting the existing motel into an apartment complex. 2. Public hearing- rezone from LC, Limited Commercial and PUD overlay to LC, Limited Commercial removing the PUD Overlay for the area generally known as north of US Hwy 20, east of the Snake River, south of Higham St, west of Freemont Ave. Approved- the area was so fragmented that it was hard to develop unless the PUD was removed. Note: whenever a zone change is requested, if it is not approved, it cannot be reapplied for within 6 months. 3. Business- final plat approved for the Pickering Place Division 1, generally located north of Lincoln Rd, east of Whispering Pines Dr, south of 24th N west of N 25th E 8 lots next to Cosco. Takes the place of the storage plans.

Local Government Committee (LGC) Report Report DATE: 10-16-2023 LGC Reports are a compilation of notes taken at LG meetings, and information shared with the committee from organizations and community members. Reports do not reflect the official positions of the Bonneville County Republican Party. We encourage the reader to research information and consider all sides of any issue. The intent of the LGC is to inform citizens of Bonneville County and encourage them to become involved in all levels of their community and local government. IDAHO FALLS PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 2023 1. Public hearing- rezone request from LC, Limited Commercial to CC, Central Commercial for the area generally located north of Whittier St, east of N Freeman Ave, south of E Elva St, west of Holmes Ave. Approved with a 3-2 vote. Those voting against it felt that that the LC zoning gave enough options. A citizen testified that they are concerned about the sewer and traffic. One of the options proposed was converting the existing motel into an apartment complex. 2. Public hearing- rezone from LC, Limited Commercial and PUD overlay to LC, Limited Commercial removing the PUD Overlay for the area generally known as north of US Hwy 20, east of the Snake River, south of Higham St, west of Freemont Ave. Approved- the area was so fragmented that it was hard to develop unless the PUD was removed. Note: whenever a zone change is requested, if it is not approved, it cannot be reapplied for within 6 months. 3. Business- final plat approved for the Pickering Place Division 1, generally located north of Lincoln Rd, east of Whispering Pines Dr, south of 24th, N west of N 25th E. 8 lots next to Cosco. Takes the place of the storage plans.

Kathy Kula, Contributor After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a constitution for the new United States was needed. However, the constitution that was written, the Articles of Confederation, proved wholly inadequate for the governing of this new nation. The evolutionary War was nearly lost as a result of this document. After the war ended, the nation was slowly falling apart. Each state was treating the others as separate nations. They lacked unity in many ways. The Articles recognized no judicial system, and Congress was not strong enough to enforce laws. Congress lacked the authority to regulate interstate commerce or foreign trade. They had no power to tax which was crucial during the war in order to collect funds for the army. Each state had only one vote in Congress, regardless of its size. There was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress. Essentially, they were not “united” states. The new country looked on the verge of dissolving, and European nations were waiting in the wings to take possession of it! So, a constitutional convention was called to correct the deficiencies. The convention met behind closed doors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May through September of 1787. It was a hot summer, but to maintain an environment of security where everyone could speak freely, windows were kept closed and no “press releases” were allowed. The state representatives that were sent were charged with simply suggesting changes and corrections to the Articles of Confederation. All of the states sent their legally authorized representatives, except Rhode Island, who refused to participate. Upon gathering, a quorum of delegates recognized in spite of their clearly defined duties regarding the Articles, that as the legal representatives of the states and people, they had authority to set aside the Articles and create an entirely new constitution due to so many fatal flaws in the document. Luckily, these were honorable men who sought to represent the God-given blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity, and they created a government unique among all others. They were well educated in history and the many forms of government which have existed. There were many boisterous debates during the ratification period. The ratification process was almost doomed until a commitment to create a bill of rights for the Constitution was made. With that, the new constitution was ratified, the national government was formed, a constitutional republic, and Congress began work on a bill of rights. With a constitution that has lasted nearly 250 years, it is the longest running constitution in history. Let us honor it on September 17th ! *Note- There will be a FREE community-wide celebration on September 16th in Freeman Park. Find more information HERE.

Sarah Palin to speak against Ranked-Choice Voting: A complicated election scheme that leads to more fraud and decreased voter turnout. By Mark Fuller, IDGOP Second Vice Chairman Get ready for an electrifying event that's bound to shake up the Idaho political landscape. The Idaho Republican Party is excited as we prepare to welcome the charismatic former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to Idaho Falls on August 19th! A powerhouse in conservative politics, Palin's visit promises to ignite discussions that touch the very heart of Idaho Republicans. One of the hot topics she's set to address is ranked-choice voting, a complicated election scheme that leads to more fraud and decreased voter turnout wherever implemented. Sarah Palin has a personal experience with the many pitfalls of ranked-choice voting. In a closely contested election, Palin fell victim to the complexities of ranked-choice voting, which contributed to an outcome that seemed out of sync with the electorate's true preferences. Palin's firsthand account of how ranked-choice voting impacted her election will serve as a powerful reminder why Idaho should steer clear of this dangerous election gimmick. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear a real-life example of the impact ranked-choice voting had on a prominent political figure. Ranked-choice voting, while touted by the Left as a solution to enhance elections, is actually a confusing and chaotic reform being pushed by liberal activists to fundamentally change our elections. Instead of the straightforward act of selecting a single candidate, ranked-choice voting demands that voters rank candidates in order of preference, conjuring a convoluted dance of preferences that can easily lead to unintended outcomes. The political atmosphere in Idaho is charged with a sense of urgency surrounding this latest hot-button topic. Despite the Idaho legislature passing a law that prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting, Idaho has become a battleground for this issue. Debates have sparked across Idaho media with the recent proposal of an initiative that would institute ranked-choice voting in Idaho, pushed by Democrats and leftist group Reclaim Idaho. Citizens are grappling with the potential ramifications of adopting such a system, and Palin's visit couldn't come at a better time. She can give a comprehensive understanding of the implications of ranked-choice voting, enabling voters to make informed decisions about the future of Idaho's electoral process. For over 240 years, the United States has thrived on the foundational principle of one person, one vote, a concept that has effectively guided our Republic. The attempt to introduce ranked-choice voting, an ill-advised and complicated election plot that confuses voters and has the potential to dilute the significance of a single vote, could result in outcomes that don't accurately represent the will of the People. The voice of the people must remain clear and unambiguous. So mark your calendars and get ready to come hear the one and only Sarah Palin. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this momentous occasion! Join us at the Melaleuca Conference and Event Center on Saturday, August 19th at 6:30pm. Be sure to purchase your tickets soon at www.idgop.org/sarahpalin.

Local Government Committee (LGC) Report Report DATE: 7-16-2023 LGC Reports are a compilation of notes taken at LG meetings, and information shared with the committee from organizations and community members. Reports do not reflect the official positions of the Bonneville County Republican Party. We encourage the reader to research information and consider all sides of any issue. The intent of the LGC is to inform citizens of Bonneville County and encourage them to become involved in all levels of their community and local government. CITY Dawna Howard, Concerned Citizen's of Idaho Falls, contributor https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07132023-1592 There are three public hearings for zoning: 1. Hidden Bridge..S Holmes/Higbee between 20th and 22nd Street 2. West of Costco off Lincoln Road Zoned for HC (Commercial) 3. 45th N off 5th E West of Hiway 20 (160 acres) Remember this all in preparation for 15 minute cities with digital control. I am going to share a personal story: I am going to preface this story with; a good share of the new housing being built are AirBnb and short term housing for interns and are considered "smart" housing. I was recently on vacation with my family in St. George, UT. We stayed in an AirBnb that was controlled by the owner using an app on his phone. We were unable to regulate the temperature in the house, every time we adjusted it to our liking within minutes it was back to the "preferred" temperature set by City of St. George new build standards and it was mostly too warm for us. Entry was by code ONLY and several times we had to wait outside in the heat, unable to open the door while the AirBnb owner "reset" the code for us to gain entry. (we did wait in the AC car while this was done) but if you had an electric car and no battery left then what? It was a 3 bathroom 3 bedroom townhome and only 2 bathrooms had hot water and only at certain times of the day. We took a lot of cool showers, which in the heat was OK. It was a one car community and we had 2 cars. We had to wait for approval to use the garage, get the code for use so we could park one car in the driveway and one in the garage. There was "community" parking but it was not close to our location. There was no parking allowed on the street. We gave this AirBnb a low rating because of all the "digital" business that interfered with us "enjoying" our home stay. This is what 15 minute cities are all about. Do you really want to be controlled from the outside by someone who knows nothing about your lifestyle with digital water/utility meters? PLANNING & ZONING IDAHO FALLS PLANNING COMMISSION 07/11/2023 1. Approved- Public hearing- Lincoln Parkway Division No.1, Preliminary Plot-Neighborhood meeting was held and only the mobile home manager attended. This property is located by Costco. Traffic study has been completed. 22.8 acres with 20 lots and 19 of those buildable. Zoned LC mixed use residential and commercial. 2. Approved- Public hearing- Adoption of Based Zoning Code for the area known as South Downtown. 70 acres bounded by Cliff St, Pancheri, Yellowstone and Snake River. Maintains historic character which makes sure the forms of the buildings are to a desired style rather than concentration on the land use. There will be 5 subdistricts of business core, commercial, historic residential, warehouse and river edge. This will increase taxes for the area, bring more people and be an area of no autos but instead mass transit, bicycle paths, and sidewalks. 3. Approved- Final plat for area generally known as North of E 17th St, east of June Ave, south of E 14th St, west of Ponderosa Dr. By Lowes, LZ zone, no traffic study done because of 17th and the existing light. Will come with a site plan. 4. Approved- Final plat for Anderson Townhomes Division No.1 generally located north of Anderson St, east of A H Bush Elementary School, south of Science Center Dr, west of N Boulevard. 1.023 acres. 5. Approved- Final plat for generally located north of MK Simpson Blvd, east of the Snake River, south of W 33rd N, east of N 5th W. Energy Education Research Center at INL. R&D zoned. 6.62 acres. 6. Approved- Final plat, generally located north of W Sunnyside Rd, east of Snake River Pkwy, south of Event Center Dr, west of the Snake River. Vacant and not developed

I’ve always loved parades. This year’s theme was America the Beautiful. The joy and excitement of individuals and families is palpable. Our hearts beat faster with the deeply penetrating cadence of drum corps, and nearly bursts when we see our nations banner carried in solemn reverence by those who understand, more personally, the sacrifice it represents. There is a sense of community as we come together to celebrate in our common love for life and liberty. Together with others I find joy in seeing the vivid colors and unique expressions of groups, individuals, organizations and businesses, reminding us that while we are uniquely individual, and from all walks of life, that we can be united and celebrate the best parts of us together. That is what makes America beautiful. Sadly, we are witnessing the de-beautification of our nation. Forced compliance, and acceptance of the unacceptable in the name of equity, has made us ever more unequal, destroyed unity, and threatens to remove the beauty, uniqueness and color of our towns, state, and nation. Do you remember playing with colored clay as a child? It was so exciting to pop the tops off a new batch of pristine colors and breathe in that fresh candy-dough scent. The initial creations were full of contrast, each element standing out in its own part of the creation. But when care wasn’t taken to respect the individual characteristics of the colors, or being too lazy to allow them their own space, the colors became dull, muddled, and eventually a nondescript gray. It was easy for a child’s mind to ignore the eventual outcome of improper care by carelessly mixing everything together and destroying the vivid uniqueness. As adults we should know and do better. When everything’s smeared in rainbow the colors bleed and become an awful, ugly gray. Massive high-rise apartments, with stark cookie-cutter faces rise to block, then mock our once lovely City of Trees. The contrast of privacy verses openness has been eroded. Decorum and decency has taken a back seat to emotional free-for-alls, muddying our language until it is unrecognizable. Private property and individual innovation are being replaced by the common good and a scrambled sameness in an attempt to appear virtuous and accepting. In an “everybody gets a trophy” world, where everything is forced to be special, nothing is special. Your gender, your sexual preference, your abilities against comparable contestants, your beliefs and hopes for society and the future, even your words, must all be crammed into the same non-binary box. When everything is mandated to be accepted, in the name of tolerance, our acceptance becomes meaningless and is nothing more than a portrait of forced compliance, a portrait painted in all slate gray, where there is no longer any definition to be found. It’s time to be the grown-ups again, and expand our vision to eventual outcomes. Let’s paint with clear strokes, bright colors, and celebrate our commonalities, not force feed diversities, and make America beautiful again. Beverly Kingsford, wife and mother of six, Executive Committee Assistant, BCRCC

By Charles Finance On May 25, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in favor of plaintiffs Michael and Chantelle Sacket of Idaho. Chairwoman Dorothy Moon, IDGOP writes, “The Sacketts, a couple from Priest Lake, Idaho, purchased their land in 2004, and began construction on their home in 2007. They found themselves in a frustrating predicament when in 2007 the EPA issued a compliance order, alleging that their property contained wetlands and thus fell under the purview of the Clean Water Act. The agency claimed that the Sacketts had violated federal law by commencing construction on their lot without obtaining the necessary permits. This order effectively prevented the Sacketts from using their own land for over 15 years and left them with no recourse but to comply or face severe penalties.” (see “Property Rights Victory” under “Recent Articles” at bonnevillegop.com). This Supreme Court ruling was a significant conservative victory for all property owners across the United States. It clarified limits on the federal government preventing federal overreach into what belongs to private property owners. This exemplifies the essence of conservatism: to preserve and protect the freedoms and liberties of citizens from government encroachment. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador was one of twelve AG’s who backed this lawsuit on behalf of the Sackett’s, and by legal extension, all U.S. citizens. Unlike his predecessor who defined his job as “to help the governor find ways to legally do what he needs to,” Labrador understood – and acted – in his true role: to protect citizen rights guaranteed in the U.S. and Idaho State Constitution. This homegrown victory is more than an excellent example of the practical application of the conservative approach to law and government. It is a fresh reminder to us of how we can evaluate all individuals holding any office of public service. Do they act to protect and uphold the rights and liberties of the whole citizenry, as Attorney General Labrador did? Or, do their actions betray a desire to shape society to their own personal visions? Or to build power and wealth for themselves, with little regard for the rights of the citizens they are elected to serve? “By their fruits, ye shall know them.” After only five months in office, Attorney General Labrador has borne exemplary fruits. He has also reminded us of the power of conservative government for all citizens in Idaho and our nation. Perhaps most importantly for us, it is a reminder of our power at the polls. In one of the most conservative regions of the United States, we should all continue to elect and support those who bear similar examples while doing what we all do with bad fruit. Get rid of it and uproot the tree that bore it. Charles serves as an elected Precinct Committee Officer for Bonneville County

Investing in quality is sometimes a difficult decision to make, but it is an easy decision to live with. Quality is valued because it is not just a thing that is added. Quality is not a component in the list of materials. Quality is part of the process of creation. We refer to people who produce quality as not just builders or makers but as craftsmen who are masters of their trade. In industry there are entire departments dedicated to quality. They write and oversee innumerable standards and procedures that must be followed to ensure a quality product. Quality is therefore the result of good processes and practices. Quality depends on the process. So, if you are asking for a recommendation from someone, the process they used to arrive at their opinion should be important to you. If you plan to take someone’s advice, you should ask yourself why you should trust their opinion. If you needed a referral to a medical expert, you would probably ask your doctor and not your plumber because your doctor would have direct and relevant experience needed to offer sound advice. Likewise, if you need a recommendation for a political candidate, you would be wise to ask someone who is involved in politics. The Republican Party of Idaho is organized at the state, region, district and county levels. Idaho has 44 counties so there are 44 Republican county central committees. The Republican Central Committee in your county is the ONLY organization sanctioned by the Idaho Republican Party (IDGOP) because the Central Committee was created by and operates under IDGOP rules. Unlike other organizations where the members appoint themselves and then put “Republican” in their name, the Republican Central Committee in each county is a grassroots organization because its members are elected by Republicans in each Precinct of the County. To be a member of the Republican Central Committee you must be elected by your neighbors to represent them, and because there is only one member for each county precinct, the official party organization is the most diverse representative organization of Republicans in the county. “Republican” is a brand. It represents a set of ideals and beliefs that are articulated in the Republican Party Platform. Because of this, when people vote for a Republican they expect the person they are voting for to hold a particular set of ideas and beliefs. Anyone can call themselves a “Republican” even if they don’t align with the Republican Party Platform. But should they also be able to run for office while claiming to be a “Republican?” Should a random Chinese candy maker be allowed to manufacture a counterfeit version of Reese’s Pieces and sell them claiming to be the Hershey Company? Obviously not. When a customer buys a bag of Reese’s Pieces they expect a genuine product. The customer trusts the Hershey brand, and Hershey has a reciprocal obligation to the customer. Similarly, if a candidate wishes to carry the Republican brand, then the Republican Party has an obligation to protect that brand and ensure the candidate is an actual Republican. Your local party organization takes this obligation seriously and often has committees dedicated to ensuring the quality of our recommended candidates. Recruitment Committees find prospective candidates who are qualified for office and who substantially agree with the principles and positions of the Republican Party. Vetting Committees ask prospective candidates to fill out questionnaires and often to be interviewed. During interviews the committee seeks to understand the candidate’s qualifications, motivations and fundamental thinking about governance. A background check may also be performed. All results are reported to the Central Committee. The entire Central Committee membership finds opportunities to meet and question the candidates face to face or at candidate forums. Central Committees across the state often meet to discuss and debate the prospective candidates. After this sort of careful study, precinct officers in some counties choose to offer recommendations as a committee. This is usually done via secret ballot where every vote is considered equally, so that no one person, even county leaders, can overrule the will of the majority. Potential candidates often must receive majority or supermajority votes in order to receive a recommendation from the local Republican central committee in their county. Quality depends on process and no other organization puts as much effort as the official Republican Party in your county puts into the process of evaluating candidates to determine their suitability and that they are a genuine Republican. When GOP party organizations use multi-step process involving separate committees, there are no “favored insiders.” As a result, on several occasions, sitting BCRCC members, who were also candidates for office, did not receive the BCRCC’s recommendation. Quality has value, and so groups across the state have often attempted to counterfeit the official Republican party recommended candidate lists in an attempt to deceive voters. If their opinions had true value, they could stand on their own merit. If you want a quality recommendation, you need to ask someone who has done the hard work. It’s just common sense. Brent Reagan, Chair, Kootenai County Modified with permission by Nick Contos, Chair Bonneville County

A Supreme Court Victory for Property Rights, and one Idaho family By Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman In a groundbreaking decision, the United States Supreme Court has handed down a monumental victory for property rights with its ruling in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 25, 2023. The ruling, which has far-reaching implications for property owners in Idaho and across the nation, represents a significant victory for landowners, reaffirming their rights and providing essential clarity on the scope of federal regulatory authority. The Sacketts, a couple from Priest Lake, Idaho, purchased their land in 2004, and began construction on their home in 2007. They found themselves in a frustrating predicament when in 2007 the EPA issued a compliance order, alleging that their property contained wetlands and thus fell under the purview of the Clean Water Act. The agency claimed that the Sacketts had violated federal law by commencing construction on their lot without obtaining the necessary permits. This order effectively prevented the Sacketts from using their own land for over 15 years and left them with no recourse but to comply or face severe penalties. This week the Supreme Court rendered a unanimous decision in favor of the Sacketts, with all 9 justices agreeing that the wetlands on the Sacketts’ property are not covered by the Clean Water Act, and that the CWA applies only to wetlands that are “as a practical matter indistinguishable from the waters of the United States" and that the wetlands on the Sacketts’ land “are distinguishable from any possibly covered waters”. This ruling is a significant victory. SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas stated that this decision “curbs a serious expansion of federal authority that has simultaneously degraded States’ authority and diverted the Federal Government from its important role as a guarantor of the Nation’s great commercial water highways into something resembling a ‘local zoning board’.” In Idaho, where the preservation of private property rights are highly cherished, the Supreme Court's ruling carries exceptional significance. The states' vast landscapes and natural resources make it particularly vulnerable to overreach by federal agencies in environmental regulation. The Sackett decision reinforces the principle that landowners in Idaho have a right to maintain control over their properties and ensures the balance between responsible environmental stewardship and individual liberties. In a statement, Pacific Legal Foundation, the firm representing the Sacketts, stated that “Courts now have a clear measuring stick for fairness and consistency by federal regulators. Today’s ruling is a profound win for property rights and the constitutional separation of powers.” The significance of this ruling impacts property rights throughout the country, reaching beyond the boundaries of Idaho. It serves as a powerful precedent, establishing a clear standard for federal jurisdiction, ensuring that property owners in every state are protected from excessive regulatory control. The decision strengthens the rights of individuals and is a resounding affirmation of property rights and a crucial check on the power of federal government agencies. It serves as a beacon of hope for property owners across the nation, fostering a system in which private property is respected and protected from undue government interference. As the Chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party, I would like to sincerely thank our Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, and the 25 other state AG’s across the nation for their leadership on this critical issue. This victory is yet another example of Idahoans leading the way.

Local Government Committee (LGC) Report Report DATE: 5-9-2023 LGC Reports are a compilation of notes taken at LG meetings, and information shared with the committee from organizations and community members. Reports do not reflect the official positions of the Bonneville County Republican Party. We encourage the reader to research information and consider all sides of any issue. The intent of the LGC is to inform citizens of Bonneville County and encourage them to become involved in all levels of their community and local government. The May 16 vote includes some school bonds and levies. Pertinent information that you should know before voting. From representative Scott Herndon. Do we really need to fund the Schools with our tax money? Here is the Education public spending in Idaho approved in this last legislative session. Record amounts: These budgets begin July 1, 2023: H222 - $ 1,000,000 Supplemental University of Idaho for Moscow murders H336 - $ 37,188,400 Agricultural Research and Extension Service H343 - $ 728,900 Charter School Commission H353 - $ 45,800,500 for State Department of Education H363 - $ 103,296,800 for Division of Career Technical Education, includes new $15 million for additional program support and 10.5 new FTE H364 - $ 50,000,000 Trailer bill to H267 Division of Career Technical Education new funding for CTE starting in middle school and grades 7-12 S1043 - $ 50,000,000 New charter school revolving loan fund S1136 - $ 6,222,800 STEM Action Center S1160 - $ 61,710,500 Community Colleges S1167 - $ 80,000,000 Idaho Launch grant program S1176 - $ 678,550,500 Colleges and Universities S1177 - $ 34,885,600 State dept of Education Special Programs S1197 - $ 72,922,000 Higher Ed capital projects - Permanent Building Fund S1202 - $ 96,376,200 - State Board of Education includes new $30 million for Empowering Parents grant program, $47.2 million Covid Relief funding (federal) S1204 - $ 123,916,000 - Public Schools division of administrators (superintendents, principals, etc.) S1205 - $ 1,338,906,000 Public Schools Teachers. New $2.9 million dyslexia training. New $6,359 per teacher salary increase total of $144,960,600 S1206 - $ 1,123,677,600 Public Schools Operations Division includes new $97.4 million to increase Classified staff salaries from average $24k to $38k. New $49 million for discretionary spending to cover increased transportation costs and inflation and whatever. New $27.9 million for health insurance to increase medical insurance for staff to state program. New $10 million for technology funding. S1207 - $ 698,949,800 Public Schools Children's Programs. Includes $298 million for learning loss ArPA and CRRSA Covid relief funding. $19.7 million Digital Learning Academy. S1208 - $ 67,885,600 Public Schools facilities. Includes Lottery and Bond Levy Equalization. S1209 - $ 14,237,600 Public Schools Central Services Division S1210 - $ 15,629,400 Deaf and Blind S1215 - $ 10,000,000 additional Advanced Opportunities Scholarships In one of these bills is $20 million for hard security. That is a Grand Total of $ 4,711,884,200. You read that right - $4.7 BILLION. $3.7 ish billion of which is K-12. A new tax will be on the ballot May 16th. A taxpayer submitted this opinion for your consideration: Even though School District 91’s overall attendance seems to be steady, growth on the south side has overcrowded Sunnyside Elementary and there is a need for more elementary classroom space on the southside of town. In November the school board attempted to invoke a quarter billion dollar new property tax on local residents, a move that was soundly defeated. Many felt the district had combined a few needs with outrageous and over the top requests. Now in May the district is trying a new approach. Instead of going the traditional bonding route to build a new building, they are trying a newer approach that is like a “rent to own.” Basically a builder or investor will build the school and own it. The district will ask the taxpayers for millions of new tax dollars each year. This will make yearly payments to the builder’s owner. At the end of the term the owner will transfer the school building ownership to the district. This approach requires only 55% of the voters to approve the new tax, as opposed to the 66% required for a traditional school bond. It is still a huge tax hike for a single school, at about $47 per year in new taxes for each $100K of taxable value you own. A home with a $400,000 taxable value will pay an new tax of $188 each year. Kind of tough for some families with inflation coming on so strong. Patrons have brought up several concerns: 1. Some feel uncomfortable doing this financial arrangement. Who is ultimately liable for the building during the “rent to own” period- the district or the owner? 2. The new tax seems very high for a single elementary school. 3. Is the district continuing to choose it’s architect and construction manager without getting bids? If they do get bids for these 2 main pieces of work will they post them before the election? 4. Over the last few years the district seems to have just continually handed one single firm most of their construction management work without getting competitive bids, is the district going to get bids from other firms to be their construction manager? 5. Has the district polled taxpayers (not parents of their students) to see if the community can afford this new tax? 6. Has all other options to load balance the enrollment between the schools losing attendance and those gaining attendance been examined? The conclusion is a tough one and each voter needs to make their own. Is a new elementary school needed south of town? Perhaps. Is the district going about it in a financially sound way, using bids for everything, and actually owning the building from the start? Some feel no. Is this affordable for you? Some will answer that at the voting booth May 16.