The Gem State Brief

Curated by Locus Lectorum

State revenue $100 million below projections

State Capitol | May 14 | Idaho Capital Sun

The Idaho government's projected balance at the end of the 2025 fiscal year (June 30th) has shrunk from $420m to $320m since the Legislature adjourned. This difference is primarily due to a $90m shortfall in sales tax collections versus Legislature projections.

Kuna School District faces multi-million dollar sexual abuse claim

Silver Trail Elementary | May 13 | Idaho Press

In an $8 million tort claim filed earlier this year, the parents of the victim allege that a bully at Silver Trail Elementary sexually assaulted their child on multiple occasions and when concerns were raised with school administrators, the school district chose to expel the victim rather than seek to take action against the bully.

US Representative Mike Simpson to serve as vice-chair of newly formed Public Lands Caucus

US Capitol | May 13 | Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has been appointed as the vice-chairman of a new congressional caucus dedicated to the preservation of public lands. The nonpartisan caucus seeks to help create better policy for managing the vast swathes of public land in the western USA.

Jury finds Idaho man guilty of resisting arrest in viral incident

Meridian | May 9 | Idaho Statesmen

Despite red flags raised by the Meridian police officer's use of force, a jury found Samson Allen guilty of resisting arrest and obstructing justice during his encounter with Meridian PD last June.

Idaho AG celebrates California's repeal of electric trucking mandates

State Capitol | May 9 | Idaho Attorney General

This week California agreed to repeal several provisions of its electric vehicle fleet mandate, which had been challenged by a 17-state coalition, including Idaho, in federal court. California attempted to mandate electric vehicles for any truck fleet that ever operated any vehicles in California, in effect forcing almost all national trucking lines to be forced out of California's ports or else comply with the electric vehicle mandate..

Home run or balk?

Kuna | May 9 | BoiseDev

A local entrepreneur is seeking to build a 114-acre sports complex in Kuna, but funding remains an issue.

Private rallycross track to host first event in July

Blackfoot | May 13 | SupercarBlondie

Two friends have founded a racing series: United RallyCross Championship (URX) and built a rallycross track in Blackfoot. They plan to hold races on 4 different weekends over the summer, with the first occurring on July 18th.

Plans submitted for 200-acre public park on Simplot's former home

Simplot Hill | May 8 | BoiseDev

The Simplot Family Foundation has submitted plans to develop JR Simplot's former home into a public park over 10-15 years. Once completed, the park will feature a pavilion, amphitheater, and various other amenities.

Highlights & Insights

📖 Other Recommended Read

"The Long View" - This thread purports to make sense out of the seemingly disconnected and chaotic events at a national level during Trump's second administration thus far.

🏛️ Apologetics Fact

Dinosaur National Monument -- Over 1500 large fossil dinosaur bones can be found at this location in Utah, first discovered in 1909. The incredible proximity (the fossils were discovered buried on top of one another) hints at a catastrophic event that killed these dinosaurs simultaneously.

🗣️ Quote

"He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself."– C.S. Lewis (Learning in Wartime)

🏅 Person: John Von Neumann (1903-1957)

Described by many Nobel laureates as "The smartest man I ever met," Von Neumann was perhaps the greatest mathematician of the 20th century. He made essential contributions to the Manhattan Project, created the first rigorous mathematical framework for Quantum Mechanics, founded the field of game theory in economics, and is the namesake for computer hardware architecture still used today. On top of these achievements, he also made numerous revolutionary contributions to pure mathematics.

📕 Book: The Gulag Archipelago

Perhaps no book has been more insightful into the true nature of communism than Solzhenitsyn's chilling account of his years spent in the Soviet prison system. This singularly depressing work is a somber reminder of the depths of depravity men are capable of sinking to.