Report on the Idaho GOP State Central Committee Meeting

Report by Chad Inman (President, Tea Party Boise) — 

Anticipation of the Idaho GOP Central Committee meeting last weekend was primarily focused on a proposed rule change brought forth by former Senate Majority Leader and current Region 4 GOP chairman Rod Beck. The "Beck Rule" (as the proposal came to be known) was designed to allow the Precinct Committee (PC) persons the ability to determine which Republicans would appear on the Primary Ballot for the GOP. The "Beck Rule" would expand the role of the PC from merely fund raising and campaigning to fund raising, campaigning, and assisting in the vetting of primary candidates. The "Beck Rule" would, in effect, return Idaho to the way primary candidates were placed on the ballot up until the early 1970's.

While the spotlight was on the "Beck Rule" (which ultimately failed) several important resolutions were passed by the Idaho GOP Central Committee including some which are significant because they provide specific direction to state lawmakers from Idaho citizens.

1. Resolution 2013-P22 attempts to solidify Idaho citizens' 2nd Amendment rights by directing our lawmakers to repeal any legislation that weakens those rights.
   
   
2. Resolutions 2013-P24 and 2013-P25 deal with Common Core in Idaho education and Superintendent Tom Luna's plans to enact it.
   
   
3. Resolution 2013-P41 instructs the legislature to seek the transfer of Federal lands (not including National Parks) to the state of Idaho with the intent to have the individual counties determine the management of those lands.
   
   
4. Resolutions 2013-P36, 2013-P38, 2013-P45, 2013-P46 and 2013-P47 all related to PPACA/Obamacare. These resolutions were combined to rebuke those lawmakers that voted in favor of H248 and the accompanying federal control. "Be it resolved, that the Idaho Republican Party reaffirm to the Governor of Idaho and state Legislators that we call upon all Republican governing officials and legislators—who wish to remain in good standing with the Republican Party—to do everything in their power to keep us from cooperating in any form or manner, or complying with any provisions of PPACA."
   
   

Many on the GOP Central Committee, several Idaho lawmakers, and Tea Party Boise are on the same page regarding the direction of our state. There is certainly still much work required to replace big government Republican lawmakers with people that understand the proper relationship between the Feds and the state. These big government Republicans include those 61 state lawmakers who colluded with our Governor to implement obamacare in direct opposition to the will of the Republican Party and the citizens of this great state. Common sense is needed as our work electing new lawmakers continues.