The Weekly Political Potato: January 5–11
This is the first part of a new weekly series highlighting what’s happening in Idaho politics.
Political Hot Potato of the Week: HJM1
Let’s start with Rep. Heather Scott’s (R-Blanchard) attempt to remind us all why culture wars are her favorite dish. On day one, she introduced HJM1, a symbolic memorial aimed at banning same-sex marriage. For those unfamiliar, a “memorial” in legislative terms is a lot like a strongly worded letter—it has no legal force, but it’s a great way to waste time and stir up division.
So, what’s the point of HJM1? That’s the real hot potato here. Scott’s move seems designed to rally her base and put colleagues in an uncomfortable spot, forcing them to go on record about an issue that has already been settled at the federal level. Meanwhile, Idahoans are left wondering: how does this help their schools, their healthcare, or their livelihoods? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Many of those who call themselves “conservatives” have pushed for Republican party purity tests, saying that legislation must follow the party platform or a legislator should face censorship from the party.
President Trump asked the National GOP to remove the language from the platform that says marriage is “between one man and one woman, and is the foundation for a free society.” Is Rep. Scott going against the GOP platform by attacking the rights and freedom of individuals and how they choose to marry?
Rotten Potato of the Week: David Pettinger’s Stunt & HB2
The first day of the session also featured a headline-grabbing low point courtesy of David Pettinger. Known for his extremist antics, Pettinger pulled a racist stunt that cast a shadow over the opening proceedings. His actions, described as an intentional attempt to provoke and demean, were not just offensive but an embarrassment to Idaho. Pettinger’s behavior underscores the dangerous normalization of extremism within certain factions of the GOP. This wasn’t politics; it was a stunt. And it was rotten to the core.
I reached out to Dorothy Moon to respond to her appearance in Pettinger’s racist video, and she refused to respond. Given how much she seemed to enjoy the “brownface” performance, I don’t think she could have lied her way out of just how bad that looked for her.
But wait, there’s more. Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) jumped in with HB2, a bill designed to make it harder for Idahoans to pass ballot initiatives. Under Skaug’s proposal, citizen-led initiatives require a 60% supermajority to pass instead of the current 50%+1. This thinly veiled power grab directly responds to the success of Medicaid Expansion in 2018 —a measure Skaug and his allies opposed but that voters overwhelmingly supported. Is democracy too spicy for you, Bruce?
Maybe it’s time to consider why many Idahoans tire of lawmakers treating their voices like an inconvenience. We live in a constitutional republic where voters elect their representatives to listen to their voices. When legislators fail to do the one job they were elected to do, initiatives are the last resort for voters to demand change and fix the problem. Skaug’s hubris is an insult to the constituents he represents.
Legislation Watch: HB1 and HB7
HB1 – $250 Million Tax Credit for Private Schools
Freshman Rep. Clint Hostetler (R-Twin Falls) came out swinging with HB1, a proposal to hand out $250 million in tax credits for private schools. Bold? Sure. Likely to succeed? Not even a little. Without backing from House leadership, this bill is already destined for the Chief Clerk’s file drawer of forgotten ideas.
Was this an inexperienced mistake or a calculated move to make Rep. Wendy Horman’s forthcoming $50 million proposal look reasonable by comparison? Either way, conservatives on social media were not impressed, with even far-right voices calling it out as a taxpayer giveaway. Why are we subsidizing private schools when public schools can’t afford basic repairs? I’m not sure Clint’s handlers thought this through all the way when they asked him to run this as a personal bill.
It’s pretty clear that Clint may be pushing this bill on behalf of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and their post on X makes that clear. Interestingly, former Sen. Scott Herndon, someone they helped install in office, has turned on them and exposed the IFF Freedom Score for its dishonesty.
HB7 – Marijuana Possession Fines
Meanwhile, Rep. Skaug introduced HB7, which would impose mandatory minimum fines of $300 for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Idaho already has possession laws on the books, and with almost every state passing legalization of minor amounts of marijuana, Skaug wants to double down on criminalization of a plant many with cancer and chronic and terminal ailments rely on for pain treatment.
Many conservative organizations want to keep weed out of Idaho, and the IFF is working closely with Young Americans for Liberty/American Action Fund, which wants to legalize it. We’ll have to watch the showdown between Skaug, who has always been friendly to the IFF and its allies, and YAL when they come to push weed in Idaho.
What Were They Thinking? Award: Clint Hostetler
The award for most baffling legislative move goes to Rep. Clint Hostetler for HB1. Proposing a quarter-billion-dollar tax credit as a freshman legislator is a bold choice—especially when your own party is split on the issue. Whether this was a rookie mistake or a strategic blunder, it’s a reminder that some bad ideas should never see the light of day.
Rep. Hostetler is a freshman who was elected with the help of Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld’s Christian Nationalist organization, Magic Valley Liberty Alliance. They promised voters they were going to elect the most conservative people to replace the so-called “RINOs” they told everyone about. Former Senator Herndon slammed their first bill for being the opposite of conservatism, and while I don’t often agree with Herdon, he is right about this issue.
Zuiderveld is very loyal to Maria Nate, an employee of a DC Lobbyist group and wife of IFF President Ron Nate. The IFF can always count on her to do what she’s told, and you can expect more bills disguised as “conservative gold standards” from this group, as you will find they are anything but conservative. Watch closely for more IFF and Young Americans for Liberty shenanigans aimed at wrangling far-right back legislators they helped elect through one of their many affiliated organizations. (Think Liberty PAC, Citizens Alliance PAC, IF PAC, YAL/Make Liberty Win PAC, and MVLA)
What’s Next?
The first week of the session has already given us plenty to unpack—and we’re just getting started. Keep an eye on Rep. Wendy Horman’s $50 million school tax credit proposal, which will undoubtedly stir up more debate soon.
It’s a new year, but old fights are already heating up. Stick around—this is just the beginning of what promises to be another dramatic session in Boise.
Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in the exercise of their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.