This week @ Madison Liberty: BrushFires expands in Madison County. 11 days until Operation Toussaint. 2nd Amendment update. Op-ed on bond elections.


** What does Idaho Mean to You?
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This week at the Madison Liberty Institute, our BrushFires ([link removed]) project is expanding with a new committee in Madison County. On the student front, our Spark Freedom ([link removed]) groups continue to have strong turnouts for their weekly meetings. Plus, there are only 11 more days until the first of two screenings (#OUR) for Operation Underground Railroad's special documentary. Our Boise team interviewed (#Video Updates) Mr. Greg Pruett with the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance ([link removed]) for his take on 2nd Amendment issues here in Idaho and around the country. Also, don't miss our op-ed featured (#In the news) on Redoubt News ([link removed]) . And lastly, week four of the 2020 Legislative Session (#Leg) is coming to a close.

Do you know what the name "Idaho" means?

Nothing. Literally, the name "Idaho" doesn't mean anything. Idaho was a made-up name and was actually almost the name of one of our sister states. In the early 1860s, a lobbyist named George M. Willing made up the name "Idaho", claiming it was a Shoshone term meaning "the sun comes from the mountains" or "gem of the mountains". It was originally suggested to be the name of Colorado; however, once they figured out the name was a hoax they quickly turned it down. A little while later the name "Idaho" was adopted by our state earning us our nickname "Gem State."

The name "Idaho" may not technically mean anything; however, Idaho has many different meanings to many people. Some may define Idaho as a place of beauty. A place with deep traditions and important history. A place where someone received a second chance. A place someone feels they have a voice. A place of refuge. A place where they finally found their long-awaited success. A place that makes french fries possible. A place with strong communities that are willing to help each other. A place where people work hard. A safe place for children to grow up. But most importantly, a place that many generations have defined as home.

At Madison Liberty, we see Idaho as a place full of people who care about their families, communities, traditions, history and have much to be proud of. Our hope is to protect and secure those definitions and values that the people of Idaho hold dear. This way, what makes us special can be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren for generations.

Idaho is great because people define it as great and we live up to that definition. So, let's keep Idaho great! Join us in helping Idaho continue to be great by getting involved.

(Have you ever considered what Idaho means to you personally? We want to hear your answers! Feel free to reach out to us by replying to this email.)

Madison Liberty Institute ([link removed]) | BrushFires ([link removed]) | S ([link removed]) park Freedom ([link removed]) | Contribute ([link removed])
“Anyone who says the American Constitution is obsolete just because social and economic conditions have changed does not understand the real genius of the Constitution. It was designed to control something which has not changed and will not change—namely, human nature."
– Cleon Skousen


** Legislative Update
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Week number four of this year's legislative session is now behind us and the Capitol remains busy as ever. Things get a little more hectic around this time of the session as deadlines approach for writing and introducing bills. Today is the deadline for bill drafting services that legislators have access to through the state, and the deadline to introduce bills into committee is just a week away.

One noteworthy bill, Representative Zito's legislation (H0358 ([link removed]) ) to end daylight savings, was passed in the House State Affairs committee on Wednesday morning. The aim of this legislation is to increase the safety and health of Idahoans, as data shows that there are significant health problems that increase in the time immediately following clock adjustments.

Another important bill that saw progress this week was Representative Scott's legislation (H0347 ([link removed]) ) requiring taxing districts to wait 11 months after a failed bond election before they are allowed to re-run the same, or a similar, bond. That bill passed out of committee and was heard on the House floor on Thursday. After an informative debate on both sides, the House overwhelmingly passed the election bond bill and sent it to the Senate.
Although a bill banning abortion (H0361) ([link removed]) was introduced at the end of last week by Representative Scott, it was immediately sent to the Ways and Means Committee at the beginning of this week. The Ways and Means Committee is well known for killing any potential or forward progress for proposed legislation.

If you happened to be at the Capitol on Monday and were walking by the House chamber, you might have been surprised to hear "winner winner chicken dinner" through the microphone as House Concurrent Resolution 25 ([link removed]) was adopted. It was a welcome moment of comic relief, despite the genuine intent behind the measure, which sought to affirm the historical value of "Chicken Dinner Road" in Canyon County.

Lastly, the Senate passed a bill (S1232 ([link removed]) ) yesterday that requires inmates in Idaho to deposit a consistent amount on any of their earnings into a savings account. This passed with a vote count of 30 to 5.

As you can tell, there is much activity here in Boise. We hope you will join us in the watchful care of the privileges we enjoy as citizens of this great state and nation. Stay tuned for our update next week, and learn more about current legislation by checking out our bill alert section (#bilss) below!
Like us on Facebook! ([link removed])


** In the News: Can Districts Take ‘No’ for an Answer?
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How would you like to be victorious in an election only to find your opponent can challenge you every 3 months, over and over and over again, until they finally beat you. And once they beat you, it is a permanent victory for them. That is what the current situation is with bond elections here in Idaho.

Our Dr. Ron Nate & Lindsey Zea were featured in an op-ed with Redoubt news. Read more ([link removed]) HERE ([link removed]) .


** Second Amendment Update ft. Greg Pruett
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Greg Pruett from the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance (ID2AA) ([link removed]) joins Lindsey Zea ([link removed]) from the Madison Liberty Institute at the Idaho State Capitol to talk about current events and upcoming legislation. Check out our new video HERE ([link removed]) .

Join ID2AA on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, @ 9 AM at the Capitol for an emergency second amendment rally. To learn more, click HERE. ([link removed])


** Liberty in Law
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What is Liberty? It could perhaps be considered a very finite range on the freedom spectrum. Liberty is the state of enjoying the protection of all legitimate natural rights. It is the ideal location on the freedom spectrum. According to statements made by the Founders’ and recorded in The Making of America, liberty exists at the balanced center on the freedom spectrum.

Read more HERE ([link removed]) .


** God's Hand in Building of America
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All Americans need to appreciate the manifest destiny that the God of heaven did not establish the first free people in modern times just to see them collapse into oblivion.

Join the Benjamin Franklin Center For Constitutional Studies ([link removed]) for their 4 part seminar on "God's Hand in the Building of America" ([link removed]) every Thursday from January 30 - February 20, 2020. This seminar rebuilds and rekindles within each person an appreciation of the fact that the Founding Fathers were truly inspired by God and that God’s hand was indeed in the settling and building of this great land.

Read more HERE ([link removed]) .

Support Our Cause! ()


** Calling all Liberty-Loving Citizens!
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We are inviting liberty-loving people who live right here in Madison County to join us in growing our BrushFires project! This group of local citizens will support and coordinate with each other to make a difference and stay informed on current Idaho issues. This is an exciting time to get involved and find other principle minded people to unite with and create a force for good. Whether you've been an activist for years or are wanting to get involved for the first time, this is a perfect opportunity for you. Express your interest by replying to this email or filling out the BrushFire's form ([link removed]) on our website.

During the Jefferson County BrushFire meeting, which was held last week, they focused their discussion on current and pending legislation in Boise, and how to best respond to it. It was an information-packed and successful meeting!

If you are interested in starting a BrushFires group in your county or community, please click HERE ([link removed]) to learn more about our civic engagement project and how you can get involved


** Spark Freedom: Follow us on Social Media!
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Our weekly meetings are going great and we invite you to bring your friends. Next weekend, some of our "Sparkies" are headed to Vancouver, BC and Nashville, TN to network and spread our pro-liberty message.

We also invite you to follow us on our Facebook page ([link removed]) to keep informed and knowledgeable about what is happening at Spark Freedom.
We have some events and activities coming up next month that you won't want to miss, so be sure to stay tuned.


** Operation Toussaint Showing in Idaho Falls and Rexburg!
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Madison Liberty is partnering with Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) ([link removed]) and volunteers to host a screening of the documentary Operation Toussaint at Edwards Theater in Idaho Falls ([link removed]) on February 10th and Paramount 5 in Rexburg ([link removed]) on February 20th. This event will help raise money for Operation Underground Railroad’s future missions to rescue people around the world from human trafficking and aftercare support. The documentary, Operation Toussaint takes us along on the mission that saved many trafficked humans in Haiti in 2018. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed HERE ([link removed]) .

We hope you all will take the opportunity to attend either of the screenings as well as check out our O.U.R. student chapter ([link removed]) - Students Against Slavery.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Madison DaBell (mailto:[email protected]?subject=O.U.R.) .


** Liberty Resource: The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson
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What is the role of government in the lives of their citizens? Former Secretary of Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson explains just that in an essay entitled "The Proper Role of Government". We highly encourage individuals to become familiar with this essay as we believe it will help them better understand legislative proposals and public policy from a limited, constitutional standpoint.

Resource Link ([link removed])




** Meet Sam Anderson
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This week, we are excited to highlight Mr. Sam Anderson, a policy intern. Sam is an economics student pursuing a minor in data science at BYU-Idaho. His primary responsibilities at Madison Liberty this semester are to assist with policy and research during the legislative session.

Click HERE ([link removed]) to learn more about Sam.

Get Involved! ([link removed])
Legislative Summaries & Bills of Interest
[Click HERE to contact your legislators.] ([link removed])
H0308 ([link removed]) : Handheld devices, restriction ban
* Status: House, Transportation & Defense
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 308 - Handheld Devices Restriction Ban ([link removed])

H0309 ([link removed]) : Budget stabilization fund
* Status: House, Third Reading
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 309 - State & Local Roads Funding ([link removed])

H0310 ([link removed]) : Background checks, sources
* Status: Passed House, Senate, Health & Welfare
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 310 - Background Checks, Sources ([link removed])

H0312 ([link removed]) : Daycare facilities, licensing
* Status: House, Failed
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 312 - Daycare Licencing ([link removed])

H0313 ([link removed]) : Acupuncture, licensing
* Status: House, Passed. Senate, Commerce & Human Resources
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 313 - Acupuncture Licensing ([link removed])

H0314 ([link removed]) : Deaf, hard of hearing, terminology
* Status: House, Passed. Senate, Health & Welfare
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 314 - Revising Terms in the Idaho Code ([link removed])

H0330 ([link removed]) : Non-Resident Hunting License Fee
* Status: House, Third Reading

H0332 ([link removed]) : Driver’s licenses, issuance, fees
* Status: House, Third Reading

H0341 ([link removed]) : Medical Billing
* Status: House, Health & Welfare

H0352 ([link removed]) : Grocery tax credit
* Status: House, Revenue & Taxation

H0358 ([link removed]) : Daylight saving time, exemption
* Status: House, Third Reading

H0360 ([link removed]) : Sales, use tax, food exemption
* Status: House, Ways & Means

H0361: ([link removed]) Abortion, illegal
* Status: Status: House, Ways & Means

S1226 ([link removed]) : Civil Rights
* Status: Senate, State Affairs

S1232: ([link removed]) Inmate Savings Accounts
* Status: Senate, Passed. House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration

S1241 ([link removed]) : Legalize Hemp
* Status: Senate, State Affairs

S1247 ([link removed]) : Wolf Zones
* Status: Senate, Resources & Environment

S103 ([link removed]) : Warrantless arrest
* Status: Senate, State Affairs

H0346 ([link removed]) : Distracted driving
* Status: House, Transportation & Defense

H0347 ([link removed]) : Bond elections, eleven months
* Status: House, Passed.
* 1-minute summary: House Bill 347 - Bond Elections ([link removed])

H0349 ([link removed]) : Marriage license, application
* Status: House, Judiciary, Rules & Administration


** Legislative Progress Report:
Week 4 (as of 01.31.2020)
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[link removed] full report HERE ([link removed])

Legislation
* New legislation prepared: 335
* Changes, amendments, and engrossment: 37
* Total legislation: 372

Introductions
* Bills: 141
* Resolutions, Memorials, Proclamations (both houses): 13

Action
* Bills passed (both houses): 4
* Bills awaiting signatures: 4
* Bills signed by Governor: 0
* Resolutions, Memorials adopted: 1

Bills Passed by Chamber
(and pending in the other)
* Senate: 9
* House of Representatives: 13

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The Madison Liberty Institute is an independent research and educational organization whose mission is to promote the founding principles of the American republic, free-market solutions, and “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Our vision is a freer, more prosperous future. One where our neighbors and future leaders understand and champion the virtues and institutions that create a more harmonious society and protect our rights to life, liberty, property, conscience, and the pursuit of happiness.
Copyright © 2019 Madison Liberty Institute

Our mailing address is:
Madison Liberty Institute, PO Box 22, Rexburg, Idaho 83440

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