Idaho’s Future Depends on Proper Funding and Voter Engagement
Guest Editorial by Linda Wright Hartgen
Underfunding our essential services—education, roads, law enforcement, and water infrastructure, and deferred maintenance—comes at a real cost to Idaho’s future. Unfortunately, many representatives and senators from the Magic Valley have chosen not to adequately fund these priorities. Their approach seems to focus only on “keeping the lights on” in our agencies, rather than investing in the salary increases, water projects, schools, and law enforcement support our communities truly need.
Cutting Idaho’s budget to save our national debt does not make sense.
At local meetings, agency leaders’ express frustration that legislators rarely reach out or listen to their concerns during the session. Instead, too many lawmakers appear to follow the lead of outside ideological groups like the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
These same legislators benefit from heavy outside funding—money that pays door knockers from other states as much as $30 an hour to canvas neighborhoods and spread negativity about their opponents. This tactic worked in 2024, and it’s being used again. Out-of-state money is even covering Airbnb housing for these paid campaign workers.
Residents across the Magic Valley are noticing, and they’re not happy. Ugly, darkly colored campaign mailers attacking candidates have become all too common. Thankfully, Twin Falls County has helped fund a nonpartisan voter guide to give citizens a fair way to learn about each candidate. There are no endorsements—just information. Take the time to study these races carefully, make up your own mind, and most importantly, vote.
May is a critical month for Idaho’s future. In our red state, most decisions are made in the primary election, so sitting out means giving up your voice. You can vote absentee, take advantage of early voting, or go to the polls on Election Day.
Request an absentee ballot: voteidaho.gov (available now through May 8)
Early voting: County West, April 27 – May 15.
Election Day: May 19 at your local polling place
Our elections are safe and secure. Make your voice heard this primary season… Idaho’s future depends on it.
About the Author
Linda Wright Hartgen is a former Idaho legislator who served in the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 25.
The problem that Mrs. Hartgen describes— an approach focused on "keeping the lights on in our agencies, rather than investing in the salary increases, water projects, schools, and law enforcement support our communities truly need"—is not caused by out-of-state interests. It's been the governing philosophy of the Idaho Republican Party for nearly four decades, during which time the GOP has had complete and total control of every branch of government.
I served in the Legislature with Mrs. Hartgen's husband, who was a gentleman and a man of intellect, but he played an outsized role in shaping the GOP philosophy as a newspaper editor, prior to entering politics. He was an avid consumer of the crap coming out of Hillsdale College and ALEC and the whole constellation of "out-of-state" interests peddling their brand of burn-it-all-down governing. It's awfully rich that Mrs. Hartgen is now concerned that her own political career is imperiled by the political winds that her late husband rode and amplified.
To those in the Idaho GOP that lament the current state of politics in a place where moderation was once possible, I say this: You broke it. You own it. And I doubt you're ever going to fix it. And to the people who consider themselves independent, centrist, or anywhere to the left of that, I suggest you get out while you can. One-party rule is attracting the worst elements from all over the country, including to the Legislature itself, where sanity, balance, and most importantly courage is in very short supply.
All reasons why I’ve left a year ago…after almost 50 years and the passing of my wife of 58 years.
Thank You for your post!
Best Wishes!
Frank