Idaho

The Idaho Constitution says no taxpayer money for private schooling

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

The Idaho Constitution says no taxpayer money for private schooling

From the time the Gem State came into being, the Idaho Constitution has strictly prohibited the use of public funds for any form of religious education. Article IX, Section 5, sometimes called the “Blaine Amendment,” states, in part:

Section 5. SECTARIAN APPROPRIATIONS PROHIBITED. Neither the legislature nor any county, city, town, township, school district, or other public corporation, shall ever make any appropriation, or pay from any public fund or moneys whatever, anything in aid of any church or sectarian or religious society, or for any sectarian or religious purpose, or to help support or sustain any school, academy, seminary, college, university or other literary or scientific institution, controlled by any church, sectarian or religious denomination whatsoever…

Some people, who simply don’t know what they are talking about, falsely claim the Blaine Amendment is a “dead letter” or that it has been overruled by the United States Supreme Court. They argue that the Amendment should be removed from the Idaho Constitution because it is just meaningless verbiage. That is patently false. The Supreme Court has decided two cases dealing with the Blaine Amendment and neither has overruled it. In the latest case, Carson v. Makin, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: “A State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious.” The words may seem familiar because Roberts previously stated them to be the law of the land in a case from Montana in 2020.

What the Court was saying is that if, and only if, a state establishes a program to provide taxpayer money for private schooling, it must also provide program money for religious schooling. Some politicians are trying, for the first time in Idaho history, to force Idaho taxpayers to pay for private schooling, which would then open the back door to require taxpayers pay for religious schooling. So-called “school choice” legislation is a workaround to evade and subvert Article IX, Section 5. Whether the use of public funds for private schooling is by means of a tax credit or school voucher or some other form, it is still a raid on the public treasury in subversion of the Blaine Amendment.

If the Legislature were to provide public money for private and religious education at a time it is failing to adequately fund public schools, it would invite a lawsuit for violation and subversion of the Blaine Amendment. Quite frankly, the public school system has been chronically underfunded for well over a decade. That is just on the instructional side. In 2005, an Idaho Supreme Court decision held that the Legislature was violating its constitutional mandate to provide for the construction and maintenance of public

school buildings. The Legislature has done very little since then to own up to this responsibility. If the Legislature were to carry out its duty to use state funds to build and maintain school buildings, it would lift a heavy burden from local property taxpayers.

The State is vulnerable to a school funding lawsuit, even in the unlikely event that the voters were to decide to repeal the Blaine Amendment. A poll commissioned by the Idaho Statesman in 2022 disclosed that 63% of respondents opposed using taxpayer money to help residents pay for private schools. Try to find a rural school patron who thinks it would be a good idea to divert public funds from public schools to pay for the education of city kids in private and religious schools.

House Joint Resolution 1, a proposal to repeal the Blaine Amendment, has just been presented in the Legislature. It is a recognition that the use of taxpayer money to support religious schooling would presently violate the Idaho Constitution. If the resolution is approved, the voters would decide in the November election whether to repeal the Amendment. Perhaps it is time to let Idaho voters show their strong opposition to using their tax money to subsidize private and religious schooling. Until that time, all types of school choice proposals should be placed on hold.

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Idaho

From combat to construction: Union helps veteran build a new path in Idaho

Published

14 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

From combat to construction: Union helps veteran build a new path in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho — For many Idaho construction workers, the path to a skilled career begins with personal struggle and transformation. One Iraq War veteran says joining the carpenters union helped him rebuild his life – and ultimately led him to one of the Treasure Valley’s biggest construction projects.

Private First Class Ryan Cullenward joined the U.S. Marine Corps just 10 days after graduating high school, motivated by the Sept. 11 attacks.

“Like, all right, well, it’s time for me to do that. So the second I could, I joined the delayed entry program. And then about 10 days after graduating high school, I was on my way. That was June 2003,” Cullenward said.

WATCH | Bronze Star Marine finds new purpose in Idaho construction—

From combat to construction: Union helps veteran build a new path in Idaho

He served four years, deployed to Iraq, and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism. After returning home, he says transitioning into civilian life was extremely difficult.

“Strange. Very different. That’s a lot slower pace, you know… It was just different,” he said.

After moving to Idaho, Cullenward said he found stability and support through the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters.

“I bought a house, a new truck, married, kid on the way, everything has been substantially better knowing that you have someone helping to ensure that you’re getting treated fairly… making sure that you have a pension to fall back on… So it’s all around been amazing,” Cullenward said.

Today, he works on Micron’s multi-billion-dollar semiconductor expansion in Boise — the largest job he has ever been part of.

“It’s very different… definitely the biggest job I’ve ever been on… It’s a great project and knowing it’s going to be around for a long time,” he said.

Union leaders say stories like Cullenward’s highlight the impact of training, benefits, and community.

“The benefits are training, structure, a brotherhood, first and foremost… good wages, benefits, and working conditions… and retire with dignity,” said Gil Ruxette of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters.

Cullenward hopes other veterans and workers struggling to find direction consider the trades.

“You know, find out what you can… get in touch with the representative. They’ll show you the right way,” he said.

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Idaho

Cyclocross offers Idaho cyclists fitness and a one-of-a-kind experience – East Idaho News

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Cyclocross offers Idaho cyclists fitness and a one-of-a-kind experience – East Idaho News

EAGLE (KIVI) — Cyclocross is a wild and wacky event requiring bikers to navigate dirt, sand, grass and they even have to get off their bike every now and then.

Twisted Turtle Racing hosts a series, as this sport takes place in the fall to help riders stay in shape during the shoulder season. We went to the Waffle Cross event at the Eagle Bike Park.

“This is a pretty iconic course here in Boise,” said Allen Schroeder, a professional cyclocross rider here in Boise. “This is the most people we have had at a race in a long time, so it is really good to see. It helps when it is nice and sunny like this, some days in cross you will have rainy conditions, and we are still out here racing in the mud.”

That is one of the wild parts about cyclocross; they compete in any weather. At the course at the Eagle Bike Park, the race is a combination of road cycling, mountain biking, and even steeplechase.

It features a division for riders of any age, and the racers love it.

“I honestly really like the sand pits or going up the stairs, just the things where I have to get off my bike,” said Zeke Whitlock. “After mountain biking season, it is nice to have something before winter arrives.”

Cyclocross is also one of the most friendly cycling events for spectators as the riders compete on a short course where they do as many laps as possible during the time period. This sometimes leads to some shenanigans with hand-ups. Sometimes during the competition, riders will get handed a shot of whiskey, a beer, or some food.

“It could be your beverage of choice or bacon or you name it,” said Andrew Shaber, who enjoys cyclocross because to him it is a puzzle. “It incorporates a lot of transitions that tests your skills, your fitness, and everything in between.”

The final race of the season will be the second Sandy Cross of the fall at Sandy Point State Park. That race will take place on December 6 and 7.