Idaho families face serious challenges. War, tariffs, and cuts to health coverage are making life more expensive for everyone. That makes your voting decisions all the more critical this year.

Unfortunately, misleading ads are pouring into Idaho from out-of-state groups backed by billionaires. They are attacking Democrats who oppose school voucher schemes, but their attacks have little to do with school vouchers or the truth. One ad I saw from Texas falsely claimed a Democratic candidate opposed a bill she never even voted on.

A new Idaho-based grassroots organization called Neighbors Organized for Voice and Action, or NOVA, offers something better. Its goal is to bring greater transparency and accountability to state lawmakers. What voters will find especially useful is their Affordability Index. It analyzes how legislators voted on state-level legislation affecting the cost of housing, healthcare, childcare, education, food security, and taxes.

Notably, Democratic lawmakers earned an average score of 97%, compared to 42% for Republicans. All 15 of the highest-scoring legislators were Democrats.

I’m proud of the work our Democratic caucus has done to address the costs squeezing Idaho families. They’ve fought against cuts to healthcare, public education, childcare, and services for people with disabilities. Their deciding votes established Idaho’s first Workforce Housing Fund and created a major new investment in career training with LAUNCH scholarships. They’ve also pushed to eliminate the sales tax on food, restore the child tax credit, and provide meaningful property tax relief for homeowners.

But too often, Democratic legislators have simply too few in number to make positive change for Idaho.

What has the Republican supermajority done with its immense power? They’ve given massive tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest Idahoans year after year, while working families struggle to afford groceries, housing, and healthcare. They’ve kept the sales tax on food, allowed Idaho’s $205-per-child tax credit to expire, protected special tax exemptions for billion-dollar data centers, and capped the homeowner’s property tax exemption, shifting more of the burden onto families.

Democratic candidates, challenging Republican incumbents in every corner of the state, are running to bring the focus back on regular families instead of the wealthy political donor class.

That poses a threat to the powerful interests that benefit from the pay-to-play environment. It’s why they’re dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into manufactured attacks.

Idahoans can push back by being informed voters. Look at the issues that truly matter to your family and your community’s ability to thrive. Visit novaidaho.org, review the bills included in the Affordability Index, and see how your legislators actually voted.

Republicans have had decades of power to make life more affordable for Idaho. This November, Idahoans can choose leaders who will actually vote for it.

Onward,

Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair