Far-right Idaho Republicans battle to control party, state

[TexasTowelie]

BOISE — The dream world for Idaho’s ascendant far right is one where state lawmakers run a sovereign nation-state free of federal oversight. It would be a place where they can outlaw all abortions, dictate what is taught in schools, have complete say over public health rules and gun laws, and take control of federal public lands, which make up more than 60% of the state.

And many believe they’ve never been closer to achieving their goals in what is already one of the most conservative states in the country.

Mainstream Idaho Republicans, who have dominated the state for three decades and would be considered far right in many states, have themselves become targets, including protests at lawmakers’ homes. They fear disinformation and intimidation is driving the changes in the rural Western state.

“It’s definitely conservatives who are battling against the farther right,” said Jaclyn Kettler, a Boise State University political scientist. “Mainstream traditional Republicans who have a preference for smaller government” and right-wing Republicans who question “whether government should even be involved.”

Read more: https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/far-right-idaho-republicans-battle-to-control-party-state/article_1b9352d9-eb95-5aea-a344-dc130669ea6d.html

[kimbutgar]

1. My Mother in law was born and raised in Idaho and her relatives that still live there are

Are appalled as to what Is happening to their state. They live in Pocatello where the university is and it’s still a little blue spot. They told her the crazies have taken over the state from the Mormons.

Sinclair Broadcasting and right wing radio has taken over the state.

[riversedge]

2. Stop the social security and Medicare money coming into the state and wait for the UPROAR.

.........Democratic lawmakers are too few to have much say in state government. They have not held the governor’s office since 1995 or statewide elected office since 2007. Only 12 of the 70 House members are Democrats, and Senate Democrats hold only seven of 35 seats. Democrats lost two House seats in the 2020 election. Far-right Republicans picked up two seats by unseating moderate Republicans in the primary. Several open seats were filled by Republicans considered more conservative than their Republican predecessors.


The main victories for Democratic lawmakers are supplying enough votes to approve legislation often opposed by far-right legislators, including must-pass appropriations bills. Among those earlier this year was the $3.7 billion Medicaid budget that cleared the House 36-34. Idaho Public Television’s $9.5 million budget, a perennial target of the far right, also squeaked through 36-34.

“That flank has never really had to come to terms with the fallout of the policies they have proposed,” said Democratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel. “If that wing keeps strengthening, people may experience a stark wakeup call of losing the vital services that everyone depends on.”

McGeachin and other ultra-conservative lawmakers have a stated desire to end federal money coming to Idaho, part of a far-right belief involving state sovereignty.

[HUAJIAO]

3. Idaho receives more federal funding relative to its total spending than two-thirds of all states.

IDAHO STATESMAN

How much federal funding does Idaho get? More than most states
FEBRUARY 12, 2016 11:05 PM, UPDATED FEBRUARY 15, 2016 01:52 PM

(A little old but.....)

Idaho receives more federal funding relative to its total spending than two-thirds of all states. And because of its near-bottom average wages, it is reimbursed for social programs at a higher rate than all but two. The state’s proposed budget for next year is one-third funded by federal dollars—a rate more or less consistent over the last several years.

The topic of federal dollars to Idaho has come up in renewed discussions about expanding Medicaid, an option that comes with a windfall of more federal cash. Opponents don’t want to add to federal spending, don’t want to make Idaho more reliant on the federal government and don’t like the idea of the feds dictating policy by attaching dollars to the offer.

But Idaho already takes billions from the feds. Federal dollars boost the economy by paying for military jets, helicopters and bases, dams, parks, forests and nuclear research — all under federal control. The state itself relies hugely on Washington for everything from highways to health programs under state control. How much? The Statesman decided to take closer look at the sources of funding for the next year’s proposed state budget, now being reviewed by the Legislature.

SNIP-

Expansion supporters cite the existing flow of federal dollars to make the case that Idaho already relies on federal funds for a long list of programs and services including transportation, education, agriculture, economic development, unemployment claims, land management and social programs like the existing Medicaid programs. In fact, more than half the federal aid Idaho now receives goes for Medicaid.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article60194881.html