OPINION: The best of Idaho

It’s easy to fill a newspaper or a legislative session with everything government gets wrong. But Idaho reminds us that good government doesn’t need to make headlines. It just needs to do the basics well, stay out of the way, and leave what works alone. 

Here are 10 things Idaho gets right. 

First, Idaho generally respects the taxpayer. Lower taxes leave families with more freedom to decide how to spend their own money. Tax relief reflects the principle that government should take only what it needs. 

Second, Idaho balances its budget. Unlike Washington, D.C., our state must live within its means. We may not always agree on what is reduced, or whether priorities such as education have been cut too deeply to keep that budget balanced. But citizens have the right and responsibility to make their voices heard. When legislators don’t listen, Idaho voters have the opportunity to replace them every two years. 

Third, Idaho works to reduce unnecessary regulation. Rules should protect the public, not create an obstacle course of regulations for farmers, small-business owners, or entrepreneurs trying to earn a living. 

Fourth, Idaho values local control. Idaho is a large and diverse state. What works in Boise may not work in Bonners Ferry, Salmon, or Soda Springs. Decisions are usually better when made as close as possible to the people who must live with them—and we should keep it that way. 

Fifth, Idaho protects access to the outdoors. Our public lands, lakes, rivers, trails, and wildlife are more than tourist attractions; they’re part of our identity and quality of life. That access is maintained not only by public agencies, but also by ordinary Idahoans. Many outdoorsmen, like my husband, take the time to clear fallen limbs and debris from trails and back roads so others can continue to enjoy them. 

Sixth, Idaho communities show up. When a neighbor needs help, Idahoans will step forward voluntarily. Recently, two Post Falls teenagers were recognized for mowing the lawns of people who could use a hand. Whether it is churches, civic organizations, or two young men with lawnmowers, Idahoans know how to be good neighbors. 

Seventh, Idaho respects agriculture and natural-resource industries. Farming, ranching, forestry, and mining remain part of our economic and cultural backbone. 

Eighth, Idaho still believes in practical government. Most Idahoans are not looking for government to solve every problem. They do expect government to perform its core responsibilities with competence and transparency. 

Ninth, Idaho has kept a culture of personal responsibility. We tend to believe freedom and responsibility belong together: care for your family, keep your word, and leave a place better than you found it. 

Tenth, Idaho looks forward without abandoning its character. At Idaho National Laboratory, scientists are helping to lead the nation in advanced nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure research. Idaho is not watching America’s energy future from the sidelines. We’re helping to build it. 

These strengths aren’t guaranteed forever. Keeping them means staying informed, voting, supporting our communities, and holding government accountable. It also requires the humility to disagree honestly, listen carefully, and work together where common ground exists. 

Idaho isn’t perfect, and good policies require constant vigilance, but we shouldn’t become so focused on what needs fixing that we overlook what’s worth preserving. 

The people who came before us built the Idaho we know today—a place where families still come hoping to build a life that can’t be found anywhere else. Keeping it that way is now our responsibility: building strong communities, speaking up when the government gets it wrong, and doing our part to protect the Idaho way. 

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Becky Funk is a member of North Idaho Republicans and is a former Legislative District 4 Republican Chair.