BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Idaho on Monday to promote a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require a federal balanced budget.

The amendment would be sought through a never-before used method of amending the U.S. Constitution: A convention of the states. DeSantis met privately with lawmakers in the Idaho Legislature early Monday.

“I am convinced that you are not going to have Congress all of a sudden change its behavior for the long term. I think the reason we’ve gotten into this with respect to fiscal is because there are certain incentives for the people that are in Washington to behave the way they do. And we need to change those incentives,” DeSantis, a former Republican presidential candidate, told reporters in a news conference in the Idaho governor’s office, standing between Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke.

Critics say a constitutional convention could put the entire Constitution up for change. But supporters argue a convention is needed to rein in the rising federal deficit and an increasingly powerful federal government.

Asked about concerns the process would be uncontrollable, DeSantis told reporters he disagreed — pointing to state-level controls for a constitutional convention and ratification requirements.

“I think the people that say somehow the whole thing would melt down, they’re basically saying that the founding fathers were wrong to give the people in the states an ability to restrain the federal Congress,” the Florida governor said. “And I don’t think they were wrong to do that. I think they understood Congress could be the problem.”

And he said he doesn’t even think a constitutional convention would happen. Once 33 states apply — before the 34-state application threshold would prompt the convention — DeSantis said it’d push Congress to pass their own balanced budget amendment.

Little suggested the risk of not acting is high.

“We don’t even think it’s going to get to 34 votes. We think things are going to happen,” Little told reporters. “There’s all those sidebars, all those guardrails we put on those. But then what’s the alternative? Do we want … our federal debt to go to $70 trillion and consume all of the capital and basically burden our children, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. I think there is no other usable option, and our forefathers put it in the Constitution.”

Earlier this month, the Idaho House rejected a proposal by Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, that would’ve called for Idaho to submit three separate applications to amend the U.S. Constitution through a convention of the states, including for a balanced budget amendment.

Past attempts at getting the Idaho Legislature to call for a constitutional convention have failed. Last year, representatives of the Idaho Republican Party and the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance opposed an Idaho resolution to apply for a convention of the states.

DeSantis also plans to visit Montana on the same issue.

TREASURE VALLEY, Idaho — These are a few of the things happening today in your neighborhood:

• WEAR YOUR SHIRT DAY
  • Students, parents, and staff across the West Ada School District will be wearing their ‘Everyone is Welcome’ shirts as a show of support for middle school teacher Sarah Inama.
  • As we’ve reported, the district asked Sarah to remove a classroom poster that read “Everyone is Welcome Here”, a request that has since sparked global outrage.
• GOV. DESANTIS VISITING IDAHO CAPITOL
  • And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will pay a visit to the Statehouse today as he promotes the Balanced Budget Amendment Campaign.
  • It’s essentially a letter to Congress that 26 Republican governors, including Gov. Little, have signed.
  • In the letter, they request Congress to work with President Trump and DOGE to solidify the efficiencies they find into law.
  • DeSantis’ visit to the Capitol is not open to the public.
• AIKENS ST. CLOSURE IN EAGLE
  • And starting today, Aikens St. will be closed from Eagle Rd. to 2nd St.
  • This closure is part of ACHD’s improvements for the Downtown Eagle Mobility Improvement Project.
  • Motorists should anticipate the road to reopen by the end of May.

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game.

Warmer weather is almost here, so it’s time to start thinking about your first fishing trip

Idaho Department of Fish and Game will stock 950 rainbow trout in the 10 to 12-inch range at two area fishing holes March 24-28.

Hayden Creek Pond, located along Hayden Creek near Lemhi, will receive 650 trout. Anglers will find ample bank fishing space, pavilion, restroom, and a dock for anglers with limited mobility.

Kids Creek Pond, located in Salmon, will receive 300 trout. A new fishing dock, pavilion with picnic tables, restroom, and a number of benches make this a convenient place for families to enjoy the outdoors.

Stocking dates and numbers of fish are tentative and may change due to weather conditions or staff constraints.

Anglers can find more detailed information on these and other fishing destinations including maps, facilities, fish species present, stocking records, and fishing rules by visiting Idaho’s Fishing Planner.

Fishing for stocked rainbow trout, particularly in community ponds, is a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport by using simple set-ups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits like Power Bait or Crave, either near the bottom or below a bobber. Fish and Game’s Learn to Fish webpage offers diagrams for basic bait rigs and more.

Most of Idaho’s waters are open to fishing year-round, but some may have slightly different rules. Be sure to review a 2025-2027 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Booklet, which outlines licenses, season dates, special regulations and bag limits. Booklets are available at Idaho Fish and Game offices, online, and license vendors statewide.