When it comes to politics in Boise, Idaho, education is a major factor. From the classrooms of Boise State University to the Idaho Legislature, education plays a critical role in the political landscape of the state. At Boise State University, professors are careful to keep their political opinions to themselves. This is due to the fact that university officials believe that expressing such opinions could create a politically precarious climate.
Scott Yenor, a political scientist from Boise and occasional guest of Tucker Carlson, was a member of the Lieutenant Governor's working group on communism in higher education. The Republican-dominated Idaho Legislature has created an atmosphere of political hostility towards public education. This has caused some companies to doubt the wisdom of moving or expanding in Idaho, which ranks last or nearly last in terms of what it spends on K-12 students and has one of the worst graduation rates in the country. The mission of Idaho Education News is to provide independent, comprehensive and reflective journalism about the policy and practice of public education in Idaho. The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibiting discrimination against people who qualify because of their status as protected veterans or people with disabilities, and to prohibit discrimination against all people based on race, color, religion, political affiliation or beliefs, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Idaho Legislature meets from January to March each year to decide how much money to allocate for public education in the state of Boise. This year, they will hold a special session three days after the call to consider measures against COVID-19. One example of how education has impacted politics in Boise is the story of Rigi, a student at Boise State University who lost her campaign for student body president.
Despite her loss, Rigi's campaign had changed the political momentum on campus and she is now working at Fox News in New York while finishing her degree at Boise State online. It is evident that education plays an essential role in politics in Boise, Idaho. From the classrooms of Boise State University to the decisions made by the Idaho Legislature, education is a key factor in shaping the political landscape of the state. Education has been used as a tool for political change throughout history. In Boise, it has been used to create an atmosphere of political hostility towards public education and has caused some companies to doubt the wisdom of moving or expanding there. It has also been used as a platform for students like Rigi to make their voices heard and create change.
Ultimately, education plays an important role in politics in Boise, Idaho. It is up to citizens and legislators alike to ensure that public education remains a priority and that students have access to quality educational opportunities.
