Man is Not Free Unless Government is Limited
This week at the Madison Liberty Institute our BrushFires team has been active and is ready to make an impact. Our Spark Freedom project had a strong turn out to their Opening Semester Social. We are also pleased to announce that we are partnering with Operation Underground Railroad for a special documentary screening. And lastly, we are concluding week two of the 2020 Legislative Session and have an opportunity for you to get involved in the legislative process.
With all the activity taking place at the capitol building, we've been giving a lot of thought about the meaning of limited, constitutional government. At the Madison Liberty Institute, we believe that the sole purpose of government is to secure certain unalienable rights. When government grows beyond this scope, not only is it a usurpation of power and our liberty compromised, it is a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution. When decisions and power are centralized, the republic withers. This is why our Founders inserted so many checks and balances into the federal Constitution and why they knew the federal government must have clearly defined limits. They were right.
Ronald Regan said that "Man is not free unless government is limited." We understand that individuals tend to be freer when decisions are being made close to home. It is important to have a clear understanding of the jurisdiction and governing authority of each level of government if we, the people, are to “erect barriers at the constitutional line.” It is our responsibility to empower local, state, and national leaders to preserve and maintain the healthy tension that was designed to exist between the various levels and branches of government, as well as the people.
We encourage you to join us in championing the cause of liberty and to secure limited, constitutional government in our state.
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“[T]he general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws: its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the separate provisions of any.”
- James Madison
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The Idaho State Legislature is wrapping up week two of the 2020 Legislative Session. The session is going pretty much as expected for this early in the year, and we expect to see things pick up soon.
There is immense pressure on our Representatives and Senators as they go through the numerous administrative rules in their legislative committees. This is a result of the House sending the administrative rules into temporary status during the 2019 Legislative Session.
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Some hot topics at the capitol this week were the public hearings being held by the House Education Committee regarding Idaho's Content Standards (AKA Common Core). So far, they have heard testimonies regarding standards for English language arts and math. This coming Monday, legislative hearings will be held to review the science standards. The House Health and Welfare Committee voted to reinstate the rules that mandate vaccines (16.02.11) and rules allowing Child Protective Services (16.06.01 (559) pg 251) to conduct interviews of children with parent’s permission only “preferable.” Lastly, "Add the Words" legislation was again introduced this past Tuesday (S1226).
We also feel it is important to highlight that Governor Little signed two executive orders. One in particular (2020-02) requires agencies to be more transparent with Idaho. It asks that each document issued by a state agency clearly states that it is not a new law but is an agency interpretation of existing law.
Check out the bill alert section below for more information!
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BrushFires Update
As we head into 2020, our Jefferson County BrushFires Committee is active and ready to make an impact. At their most recent meeting, they discussed the negative aspects of Common Core education standards that are soon to be voted upon in the House Education Committee. They have developed a plan of action to share with the members of the House Education Committee and are committed to improving education by removing Common Core. They want to replace the Common Core standards with standards that are a better fit to help uplift and teach the students of Idaho.
If you are interested in starting a BrushFires group in your county or community, please click HERE to learn more about our civic engagement project and how you can get involved
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Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard And Respected
After Idaho's administrative rules expired this past summer, numerous concerned parents signed petitions to request public hearings be held in their counties to address Common Core. To their excitement, the State Board of Education actually heeded their call. Unfortunately, the state only held 4 hearings — one in Nampa, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls. Moms and Dads from across the state came out to express their concerns for the future of their children’s education.
But what came from it? Find out HERE.
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Are You Pro-Life?
This Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 1:00 PM, join with other pro-life Idahoans for the annual March For Life in Bosie, Idaho. The march will start at Julia Davis Park and end at the Idaho State Capitol.
For more details, please visit: Right to Life of Idaho | RTL Facebook
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Spark Freedom Update:
Semester Opening Social
Even with all the mountains of snow and sharp winds we've experienced in Rexburg over the past several days, we had many students show up to our Winter Semester Opening Social at Madison Liberty Institute. Students had the opportunity to talk to our student leaders about the various opportunities they can be part of this semester. Many students signed up to join Spark Freedom's weekly meetings with our student groups, asked questions, met new people, and enjoyed the homemade cookies and hot chocolate. We are excited for another semester of planting the seeds of liberty!
Want to get involved? Email or stop by our Spark Freedom Center to learn more.
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Operation Toussaint Showing in Idaho Falls!
Madison Liberty is partnering with Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and volunteers to host a screening of their documentary Operation Toussaint on February 10th at Edwards Theater in Idaho Falls.
This event will help raise money for Operation Underground Railroad’s future missions to rescue people around the world from human trafficking. The event costs $6 and tickets can be purchased HERE. You may also contribute further to O.U.R.'s cause at the event.
Since we now have a student chapter for O.U.R. here at Madison Liberty, we encourage those who are able to attend the event or visit their website to learn more about how to get involved. 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.
We hope you all will take the opportunity to attend the event on February 10th and attend our O.U.R. student chapter meetings every other Friday at 7 PM starting this week.
We're also planning a screening in additional Rexburg, Idaho. Stay tuned for more details!
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Liberty Resource:
Idahoans for Local Education
This week, with the Common Core hearings taking place, we figured it would be appropriate to share Idahoans for Local Education as our Liberty Resource. Their mission is "to preserve Idaho’s local educational sovereignty by keeping the decision making close to home, where parents can make a difference". They have many resources about Common Core and ways that Idaho can keep their education local.
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Meet Taylor Robison
This week, we are excited to highlight Mr. Taylor Robison, our lead data intern. Taylor is a senior at BYU Idaho, majoring in business analytics. His responsibility at the Madison Liberty Institute is to use technology to help make everyone else’s jobs easier and Idaho more transparent.
Click HERE to learn more about Taylor.
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Legislative Bills Week #2
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House Bills
HB.308: Handheld devices, restriction ban
HB.309: Budget stabilization fund
HB.310: Background checks, sources
HB.311: Evaluation committees, counselors
HB.312: Daycare facilities, licensing
HB.313: Acupuncture, licensing
HB.314: Deaf, hard of hearing, terminology
HB.315: Controlled substances, schedule
HB.316: Pharmacy act, updates
HB.317: Optometric physician licensing act
HB.318: Occupational licensing, division
HB.319: State appellate public defender
HB.320: Criminal justice data system
HB.321: Liquor, plazas, theaters
HB.322: Presidential primary, party change
HB.323: Approp, H&W other programs, add’l
HB.324: Approp, parks & rec, reduced
HB.325: Transp, funding, sales tax
HB.326: Veteran, definition
HB.327: Service members, veterans
HB.328: Outfitters, computation, rules
HB.329: Water resources, records, paper
HB.330: Nonresident fees
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HB.331: Approp, STEM action center, add’l
HB.332: Driver’s licenses, issuance, fees
HB.333: Motor vehicle dealers, licensing
HB.334: Bridge inspection account, funds
Senate Bills
SB.1216: Cyanidation facilities
SB.1217: Water diversion, cleanup
SB.1218: Water resources, documents, paper
SB.1219: Guardians, conservators, appt
SB.1220: Guardians, conservators, appt
SB.1221: Criminal cases, fines, payment
SB.1222: Controlled substances, possession
SB.1223: Imported food, bread, flour
SB.1224: Weighmasters, licensing
SB.1225: Agriculture, reporting requirements
SB.1226: Sexual orientation, gender identity
SB.1227: Adoption, notice
SB.1228: Approp, pest deficiency transfer
SB.1229: Approp, hazmat deficiency transfer
SB.1230: Commercial driver’s licenses
SB.1231: Vehicles, electronic registration
SB.1232: Corrections, inmate accounts
SB.1233: Campaign finance reports
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Legislative Progress Report:
Week 2 (as of 01.17.2020)
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Legislation
- New legislation prepared: 188
- Changes, amendments, and engrossment: 8
- Total legislation: 196
Introductions
- Bills: 44
- Resolutions, Memorials, Proclamations (both houses): 2
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Action
- Bills passed (both houses): 0
- Bills awaiting signatures: 0
- Bills signed by Governor: 0
- Resolutions, Memorials adopted: 1
Bills Passed by Chamber
(and pending in the other)
- Senate: 0
- House of Representatives: 0
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