The 2025 Idaho Legislature is chugging right along. Last week, House Speaker Mike Moyle (R-Star) introduced a tax cut and signaled more cuts on the horizon. It raises questions of how much more there is to trim from state government, and what will the appetite be to raise revenue when economic growth inevitably slows.
Over in Jerome, Governor Brad Little and others took a victory lap after President Trump’s executive order to halt the Lava Ridge wind project. Meanwhile, hot button issues like school vouchers, medicaid expansion repeal, abortion, trans students in sports, guns, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), gay marriage, and flags continue to suck up most of the oxygen in the statehouse. Other significant legislation is rumored to be waiting in the wings, and legislators, lobbyists, and other stakeholders are loitering in the hallways eagerly awaiting the details.
ICL was hard at it last week as well, reviewing wildlife, public lands, and climate-related bills, meeting with decision-makers, and tracking public record requests, among other things. Some highlights were the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ reception and the Idaho Council on Indian Affairs meeting, which included representatives from each of Idaho’s 5 federally-recognized Tribes along with one member each from the Governor’s office, Senate, and House. Tribal leaders shared compelling perspectives on tribal concerns over education and the need to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon to complement existing protections in Idaho. They didn’t take action on the Owyhees, but they did unanimously agree to ask the State Department of Education to reject the “discriminatory and inaccurate” PragerU curriculum that recently became available to Idaho’s schoolchildren.
Some of the happenings unda’ da’ rotunda got me thinking about dichotomies—contrasts between two things that are opposed. As we know, climate change is driving increasingly costly droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires (the LA Fires have caused over $250 billion in losses). Yet, some suggested to us last week that increased emissions aren’t a problem because they make plants grow. Based on the real world negative impacts of a changing climate, this assertion misses the point. Meanwhile, we’re seeing another dichotomy with the legislature and the Governor pushing to revise both state and federal permitting processes, advocating for quicker environmental reviews. However, they’re doing so while criticizing the US Department of Interior for failing to adequately consider public opinion or the environmental and cultural impacts from the Lava Ridge wind project. At the end of the day, ICL may be supportive of speedier environmental reviews, as long as it doesn’t shortcut key protections for our air, water, lands, and wildlife.
Needless to say, we’re closely tracking these and dozens of other issues, and have lots of exciting things to report, so let’s get to it!

Chronic Wasting Disease on the rise
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game commission will meet this week to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease which is affecting Idaho’s deer and elk populations. At least 20 cases have been reported in deer along the Canadian border near Bonners Ferry, and in western Idaho near Riggins and New Meadows. Over 400 tests are still pending, and IDFG hasn’t reported any info testing of wild elk. It sounds like the agency and commission, along with many Idahoans, are concerned. Rightly so.
A different agency, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture that oversees private game farms, has also detected CWD on two elk farms in southeast Idaho. Along with other wildlife advocates, ICL has long feared the risk of introducing diseased captive elk into Idaho via these game farms, especially when the elk are sourced from Alberta, which is a CWD hot zone. ICL has consistently raised concerns with disease monitoring, fencing, and transparent reporting at these private game farms, which charge more than $25,000 to shoot a captive elk. For comparison, a CWD test costs only about ~$35. And all this comes after the legislature weakened prevention efforts just last year. We’re tracking this important issue closely and are sharing concerns with any legislators who will listen. As CWD continues its spread, here’s to hoping these valid concerns over recreation economies, wildlife, and Idaho’s hunting heritage are heard and addressed.
Banking on Public Lands
Public Lands remain a hot topic across Idaho. One of the issues that’s at the center of the debate is how and whether Idaho should acquire new public Endowment Lands with the proceeds from cottage sites and other land sales, mostly around Payette and Priest Lakes.
The Idaho Land Bank was established in 1998 by the Idaho Land Board and the legislature to hold proceeds from the sale of state Endowment Lands until the state found new lands to buy. The existing law sets a 5-year window before the funds are transferred to the Permanent Fund, where they are used to buy stocks and bonds on Wall Street. Most Idahoans agree that since we’re selling off beautiful public Endowment Lands, that we should at least acquire some other lands for Idaho to manage, preferably in areas where public access can be improved.
Over the last 20 years, Idaho spent $99 million to acquire new lands, and sent $133 million back to the Permanent Fund. If changes aren’t made, unless new lands are found, over $8 million will transfer to Wall Street in the coming year, and an additional $27 million the following year. We’re hopeful that ongoing discussions will bear fruit. After all, it’s a lot harder to find a campsite on Wall Street than it is to find one on Idaho’s public lands.
Cynthia’s Corner 
Last week I presented my first legislative testimony, sharing ICL’s support of the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.
Sponsored by Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa), the bill protects Idahoans who speak up against what they believe to be an infraction. Rather than enabling a billionaire to drag you through court, the bill expedites the dismissal of suits that are designed to discourage and intimidate public speech.
I made my first official Public Records Request to obtain information about Chronic Wasting Disease from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. This information will help shed more light on this deadly disease.
Tie of the week!
Hanging out with Tribal partners got me thinking about bison, and when I think about America pushing bison to the brink of extinction I’ve always wondered: how could that have been allowed to happen? Unfortunately, we’re seeing it happen with Idaho’s wild steelhead and salmon (Take Action, again!). The dominos are falling. But like the bison, wild life is resilient. If we give them room to roam and thrive, that’s exactly what they will do. So, as ICL, Tribes, and other partners work toward a long term vision for wild bison (and salmon) to thrive in Idaho, we know we’ve got to lean in, do the hard work, and speak for the Idaho we love in the legislature and beyond. Join us!
Until next week…Esto Perpetua,
Jonathan