Bob talks with Ron Nate, tracing his career and exploring topics such as the persistence of Common Core in Idaho schools despite efforts to eliminate it and the significant growth of the state budget from $7 billion to $14 billion in just nine years. The discussion also touched on Idaho’s dependence on federal funding, with approximately 43% of the state’s annual budget coming from federal sources.
The interview highlighted concerns about the grocery tax, Idaho’s position as a tax leader in the Intermountain West, and the challenges faced in education funding and accountability. Nate and Neugebauer examined the potential benefits of school choice and eliminating property tax in Idaho. They also addressed the state’s infrastructure needs and the associated tax burden, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of Idaho’s current political and economic challenges.