Under the Dome-Week 4 Recap!

A Message from the Gang of 8

The first month of the legislative session is behind us, and while some predict we’ll Sine Die by March 21, that’s looking ambitious. Progress has been slow, but we expect things to pick up next week as bills start moving to the floor. One thing’s for sure—your wallet is always safer when the legislature isn’t in session!

Here’s a look at a few issues we’ve been monitoring this week:

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“Bookkeeping for Breadcrumbs” Turns Tax Relief Into a Paperwork Nightmare

On Monday (1/27), Representative Jason Monks introduced H61—Food Tax Credits and Refunds, or as we’ve come to call it, Bookkeeping for Breadcrumbs. This bill is a perfect example of government making things more complicated than they need to be. Instead of simply repealing the grocery tax, it creates a bureaucratic mess for Idaho families.

H61 proposes raising the grocery tax credit to $155 per person—a modest increase of just $35 (or $15 more for seniors). But it doesn’t come close to covering what Idahoans actually pay in grocery taxes each year.

And here’s the kicker:

The bill also offers an additional $95 per person in food tax credit—but only if you track, save, and submit every grocery receipt for an entire year.

That means:

• Separating qualifying food items from non-qualifying ones (yes, you need to know federal food definitions).

• Keeping hundreds of receipts and scanning them into your tax return.

• Risking penalties if you make a mistake.

All of this…for an extra $8 a month.

Instead of reducing red tape, this bill adds more—placing an unnecessary burden on working families, seniors, and those without time to track every grocery purchase. If lawmakers truly wanted to help, they’d repeal the grocery tax altogether.

And to add insult to injury? This wouldn’t take effect until 2026—meaning you wouldn’t see any relief until 2027.

Meanwhile, Senators Glenneda Zuiderveld and Josh Kohl and Representatives David Leavitt and Lucas Cayler have a bill to repeal the grocery tax at the point of sale. Unfortunately, Representative David Cannon, Chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, has so far refused to give it a hearing.

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Why We Need a Strong School Choice Bill

On day one of the session, Representative Clint Hostetler introduced HB1—the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit. This bill would be a game-changer for Idaho families, ensuring parents—not government bureaucrats—decide what’s best for their children’s education.

HB1 provides a refundable tax credit of up to $9,500 per child to help families afford the education that best fits their needs, whether that’s homeschooling, private school, or a learning pod.

The momentum for school choice is growing. This week, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal funds to expand school choice nationwide. Meanwhile, the latest NAEP test scores confirm what parents have been saying for years—public schools are failing too many kids. Despite billions poured into the system, student achievement keeps declining. Idaho needs to empower families with real options, not more bureaucracy.

You can watch Representative Hostetler’s Capitol Clarity presentation on school choice here. His remarks begin at 11:55.

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Idaho’s Spending Problem

Budgets may not be exciting, but they matter—especially when spending is skyrocketing. Over the past five years:

• General Fund spending (what most people think of as the state budget) is up 35%.

• Total State Spending (General + Dedicated Funds) has jumped 53%.

• All-Funds Spending (including federal dollars) has soared 55%.

Why does this matter?

Since the 2008-09 financial crisis—and especially after COVID—lawmakers have shifted more funds into Dedicated Funds, making it harder to track spending growth. Some use the smaller General Fund number to downplay how much government is actually expanding.

With federal COVID-era funds drying up, it’s more important than ever to rein in spending before these temporary increases become permanent.

The Governor’s proposed budget increases spending by a staggering 16.9% over last year. That’s not fiscal responsibility—that’s government expansion at an unsustainable rate.

If we continue down this path, Idaho taxpayers will be left footing the bill for a bloated government we can’t afford. We need real spending restraint before it’s too late.

Thankfully, budget hawk Glenneda Zuiderveld is on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee to help keep an eye on Idaho’s budget.

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Outrageous Religious Discrimination in the Idaho National Guard

We are appalled by what’s happening to Major David Worley. He was stripped of his command in the Idaho Army National Guard—not for any wrongdoing, but simply because he holds Christian beliefs and dared to express them outside of his military duties. This is nothing short of a “No Christians in Command” policy, and it has no place in Idaho or anywhere in America. You can read more about the story here.

Governor Brad Little must act immediately. Religious freedom is non-negotiable, and no one should be punished for their faith. We’re watching this closely and will not stand by while Idaho’s military leaders trample on the Constitution.

Under the Dome - a Quick Glimpse Inside the Capitol

Many of us will share short, unscripted videos from Under the Dome, offering a quick, unfiltered look inside the Capitol each week. You can find them on Rumble.

Lucas Cayler discusses Medicaid expansion repeal, his efforts to block the 22% legislative pay increase, and HJM1, which reaffirms Idaho’s support for traditional marriage.

Clint Hostetler talks about the H1 Education Parental Tax Credit, the HJM1 Marriage Memorial, the H7 mandatory minimum fine for first-time marijuana possession, and the H41 keeping classrooms free from political flags.

Josh Kohl presents his bill to remove the corporate lobbyist lounge from the Capitol.

You can keep up with each of us individually by subscribing to our substacks.

Senator Christy Zito, District 8
Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld, District 24
Senator Josh Kohl, District 25
Representative Faye Thompson, District 8
Representative Lucas Cayler, District 11
Representative Kent Marmon, District 11
Representative Clint Hostetler, District 24
Representative David Leavitt, District 25

Bills to Watch

Hundreds of bills are introduced every session—but many never get a fair shot. Some get an introductory hearing, only to be buried in a chairman’s drawer, while others don’t even make it that far. Good bills are often killed without debate, not for lack of merit, but because those in power decide to stall them. Below is a list of bills to watch. We’ll keep this updated throughout the session. Find the full list here.

As the session progresses, we’ll keep working to protect Idaho families, rein in government, and put more money back in your pocket. Stay informed, stay engaged, and let’s keep Idaho on the right track. Let us know your thoughts—We’d love to hear from you!