MLI this week... BrushFires is on fire. Spark Freedom is growing. Legislative Update: School Choice, Grocery Tax, Common Core, Women's Sports, & more!


** School Choice = Real Opportunities + Real Choices
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This week at the Madison Liberty Institute, our BrushFires team ([link removed]) members are on fire. Also, our Spark Freedom ([link removed]) student groups had a very successful week. There are only 17 more days until the first of two screenings for Operation Underground Railroad's special documentary. And lastly, we are concluding week three of the 2020 Legislative Session (#Leg) , where things are quickly starting to pick up.

In case you haven't heard, next week is National School Choice Week ([link removed]) . At the Madison Liberty Institute, we believe that school choice provides parents with real opportunities and real choices for their children's success.

A family’s freedom to choose education is the freedom for their children to succeed. Especially in today’s world where even the most basic facts become the subject of political debate and controversy. Children and families should have the freedom to choose the education best fitting their aspirations and personal values. No child should be forced into an education system that is inadequate, corrupt, or hostile to their family’s traditions, beliefs, and values.

This is Educational Freedom! Get involved and help us truly secure school choice here in Idaho.

Madison Liberty Institute ([link removed]) | BrushFires ([link removed]) | S ([link removed]) park Freedom ([link removed]) | Contribute ([link removed])
“The idea of school choice is spreading like wildfire around the country, because it’s the one education reform that puts real choices and real opportunities in the hands of families who desperately need them.”
– Clint Bolick


** Legislative Update
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The Idaho State Legislature just finished week three of the 2020 Legislative Session. The activity has started to pick up at the capitol as more bills have been introduced and the legislature continues to go through the administrative rules in the various committees.

This week, the House Education Committee heard another round of testimonies on Common Core as they discussed the science standards Wednesday morning. The results? The committee has yet to decide, so be sure to contact your legislators with your position.

Some other bills of interest have been introduced this week, including Representative Pricilla Giddings' bill (H0360 ([link removed]) ) to repeal Idaho's grocery tax.
However, her attempt was thwarted by Representatives Gary Collins and Thyra Stevenson in the House Revenue and Tax Committee.

In the House State Affairs Committee, Representative Ellis introduced a house resolution to recognize January 16th as Religious Freedom Day in Idaho. Representative Zito introduced a bill (H0358 ([link removed]) ) to make Idaho exempt from daylight savings time.

In the Senate, the Resources and Environment Committee voted to introduce legislation (S1247 ([link removed]) ) that would designate “wolf-free” and “chronic depredation” zones, creating more opportunities to hunt wolves year-round. In the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, a hearing was scheduled for a bill (S1241 ([link removed]) ) that would make Hemp legal in Idaho.

Lastly, Idaho received national attention this week for Representative Ehardt's "Fairness In Sports" legislative proposal to ban transgender women from participating in women sports ([link removed]) .

Check out the bill alert section (#bilss) below for more information!
Like us on Facebook! ([link removed])


** The ABCs of School Choice
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Why is education important? Education is the fuel that propels us to reach great heights in life. Our dreams and hopes to change the world are made possible through education in the field that we want to impact. Education also enables us to be self-reliant financially and protected against poverty. The more knowledge we have the better we can care for ourselves and others.

Read more HERE ([link removed]) .


** Celebrate School Choice in Idaho!
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Are you wanting to join the National School Choice festivities? If you are in the Nampa area tomorrow, we encourage you to attend the Idaho School Fair ([link removed]) on January 25th. The event is family-friendly and will include free books, swag, games, and entertainment for kids.

If you want to see what other school choice activities are happening throughout Idaho, click HERE ([link removed]) !

Support Our Cause! ()


** BrushFires of Freedom
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Several members of the Madison Liberty Institute ([link removed]) team were recently invited to speak to about 20 community members in Shelley, Idaho. The team introduced Madison Liberty's three areas of engagement, with a special emphasis on our civic engagement project - BrushFires. We also discussed our legislative hopes for 2020 and focus on “system fixes” to correct the systematic sources of unconstitutional and abusive laws. The team also demonstrated ways to promote long-term policy solutions and how to restore “good governance”.
Last, but definitely not least, some of our BrushFires ([link removed]) committees have been hard at work to help repeal the Idaho Content Standards (aka Common Core) ([link removed]) . The hearing regarding the science standards took place earlier this week on Wednesday, January 22. We appreciate the House Education Committee for giving Idahoans the opportunity to testify on the standards; however, many felt the hearing(s) didn't accurately reflect the concerns of parents due to the fact that most concerned citizens were unable to attend due to distance, weather, and/or employment. If this applies to you or someone you know, you still have time to impact the results of these hearings. As such, we are encouraging individuals who are concerned to contact their legislators. Ask them to vote for better education options for each individual student here in Idaho.

To get involved with a BrushFire Committee near you, please contact us HERE ([link removed]) .


** What's happening at Spark Freedom?
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This week, our Spark Freedom project had a great turn out for their weekly student club meetings. Our Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) ([link removed]) chapter held elections to select new club leaders. The Students Against Slavery ([link removed]) chapter changed their meeting days to Thursday at 6 PM. And this weekend, several of our TPUSA students are headed to the March for Life in Salt Lake City.

We also 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 on February 20th.

These events will help raise money for Operation Underground Railroad’s future missions to rescue people around the world from human trafficking.

Since we now have a student chapter of O.U.R. here at Madison Liberty, we encourage you to visit their website ([link removed]) to learn more. As for 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]) .

For additional information, please contact Ms. Madison DaBell here (mailto:[email protected]?subject=O.U.R.%20) .


** Liberty Resource:
National School Choice Week
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Next week (01.26-02.01) is National School Choice Week ([link removed]) ! We believe that families should have access to the best K-12 options for their children.

Resource Link ([link removed])


** Meet Madison DaBell
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This week, we are excited to highlight Ms. Madison DaBell, a communications intern. A junior at BYU-Idaho, Madison is majoring in communications with an emphasis in public relations. Her primary responsibilities at Madison Liberty are to assist with events and our BrushFires project.

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

Get Involved! ([link removed])
Current Legislation
[Click HERE to contact your legislators.] ([link removed])


** House Bills
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HB.308 ([link removed]) : Handheld devices, restriction ban
HB.309 ([link removed]) : Budget stabilization fund
HB.31 ([link removed]) [link removed] Background checks, sources
HB.311 ([link removed]) : Evaluation committees, counselors
HB.312 ([link removed]) : Daycare facilities, licensing
HB.313 ([link removed]) : Acupuncture, licensing
HB.314 ([link removed]) : Deaf, hard of hearing, terminology
HB.315 ([link removed]) : Controlled substances, schedule
HB.316 ([link removed]) : Pharmacy act, updates
HB.317 ([link removed]) : Optometric physician licensing act
HB.318 ([link removed]) : Occupational licensing, division
HB.319 ([link removed]) : State appellate public defender
HB.320 ([link removed]) : Criminal justice data system
HB.321 ([link removed]) : Liquor, plazas, theaters
HB.322 ([link removed]) : Presidential primary, party change
HB.323 ([link removed]) : Approp, H&W other programs, add’l
HB.324 ([link removed]) : Approp, parks & rec, reduced
HB.325 ([link removed]) : Transp, funding, sales tax
HB.326 ([link removed]) : Veteran, definition
HB.327 ([link removed]) : Service members, veterans
HB.328 ([link removed]) : Outfitters, computation, rules
HB.329 ([link removed]) : Water resources, records, paper
HB.330 ([link removed]) : Nonresident fees
HB.331 ([link removed]) : Approp, STEM action center, add’l
HB.332 ([link removed]) : Driver’s licenses, issuance, fees
HB.333 ([link removed]) : Motor vehicle dealers, licensing
HB.334 ([link removed]) : Bridge inspection account, funds
H0335 ([link removed]) : Eminent domain, rec trails
H0336 ([link removed]) : Motor voter act
H0337 ([link removed]) : Minimum wage, political subdivision
H0338 ([link removed]) : Plastic bag bans, repeal
H0339 ([link removed]) : Physical therapy, dry needling
H0340 ([link removed]) : Child care, treatment facility
H0341 ([link removed]) : Medical billing, prohibitions
H0342 ([link removed]) : Telehealth services
H0343 ([link removed]) : Bonded wine warehouses
H0344 ([link removed]) : Interim successors, publishing
H0345 ([link removed]) : Vehicles, booting, registration
H0346 ([link removed]) : Distracted driving
H0347 ([link removed]) : Bond elections, eleven months
H0348 ([link removed]) : Electronic recording commission
H0349 ([link removed]) : Marriage license, application
H0350 ([link removed]) : Capitol mall parking facilities
H0351 ([link removed]) : Medicaid reimbursements
H0352 ([link removed]) : Grocery tax credit


** H0353 ([link removed]) : Taxing districts, budgets
H0354 ([link removed]) : Tax district, recover foregone
H0355 ([link removed]) : Taxing districts, budgets
H0356 ([link removed]) : Cattle, nutrient plans
H0357 ([link removed]) : Perm bldg fund advisory council
H0358 ([link removed]) : Daylight saving time, exemption
H0359 ([link removed]) : Property tax repeal
H0360 ([link removed]) : Sales, use tax, food exemption
H0361 ([link removed]) : Abortion, illegal

Senate Bills
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SB.1216 ([link removed]) : Cyanidation facilities
SB.1217 ([link removed]) : Water diversion, cleanup
SB.1218 ([link removed]) : Water resources, documents, paper
SB.1219 ([link removed]) : Guardians, conservators, appt
SB.1220 ([link removed]) : Guardians, conservators, appt
SB.1221 ([link removed]) : Criminal cases, fines, payment
SB.1222 ([link removed]) : Controlled substances, possession
SB.1223 ([link removed]) : Imported food, bread, flour
SB.1224 ([link removed]) : Weighmasters, licensing
SB.1225 ([link removed]) : Agriculture, reporting requirements
SB.1226 ([link removed]) : Sexual orientation, gender identity
SB.1227 ([link removed]) : Adoption, notice
SB.1228 ([link removed]) : Approp, pest deficiency transfer
SB.1229 ([link removed]) : Approp, hazmat deficiency transfer
SB.1230 ([link removed]) : Commercial driver’s licenses
SB.1231 ([link removed]) : Vehicles, electronic registration
SB.1232 ([link removed]) : Corrections, inmate accounts
SB.1233 ([link removed]) : Campaign finance reports
SB 1234 ([link removed]) : Public records, univ presidents
SB 1235 ([link removed]) : Professional studies prgm, repeal
SB 1236 ([link removed]) : Ed interpreters, qualifications
SB 1237 ([link removed]) : Swan tags, upland game bird permits
SB 1238 ([link removed]) : Civics requirements, course
SB 1239 ([link removed]) : Flex school schedules, elementary
SB 1240 ([link removed]) : Advanced practice registered nurse
SB 1241 ([link removed]) : Hemp, controlled substances
SB 1242 ([link removed]) : Nursing home admin, training
SB 1243 ([link removed]) : State budget, overhead expenses
SB 1244 ([link removed]) : Expenditure object codes
SB 1245 ([link removed]) : Public officers, deposits of funds
SB 1246 ([link removed]) : Inactive programs, commissions
SB 1247 ([link removed]) : Depredation, wolf-free zones
SB 1248 ([link removed]) : Seed, plant certification, standrds


** Legislative Progress Report:
Week 3 (as of 01.24.2020)
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[link removed] full report HERE ([link removed])
Legislation
* New legislation prepared: 248
* Changes, amendments, and engrossment: 44
* Total legislation: 272

Introductions
* Bills: 87
* Resolutions, Memorials, Proclamations (both houses): 9

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: 6
* House of Representatives: 2

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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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