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Chuck Winder Voting Record & Scorecard | Institute for Legislative Analysis

ID Senator

District: 20 • Republican

2024 Alignment:

38.96%

Lifetime Alignment:

41.59%

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Lifetime Ratings by Policy Category

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Sen. Chuck Winder (R-ID-20) earned a 39% Institute for Legislative Analysis score for 2024, showing limited alignment with limited-government principles. Chuck Winder voted on 42 of the 44 key bills ILA scored in 2024. Across 2 years rated, Chuck Winder's lifetime ILA score averages 42%, with 90 votes recorded across 93 scored bills. Chuck Winder represents the 20th District in the Idaho State Senate. Highest category scores: Free Speech and Elections (86%), Education (83%), and Individual Liberties (83%).

Title

Lawmaker Position

H 393Senate 20241x

Increasing Employment Barriers and Weakening Civil Liberties by Forcing Counselors to Undergo Fingerprint-Based Background Checks to Obtain Licensure.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill enters the state into an Interstate Counseling Compact, allowing licensed counselors to practice in other member states. While interstate compacts can make it easier for licensed individuals to practice in multiple states, this specific bill creates a new joint public agency and imposes fingerprint-based background checks on professional counselors.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as an unnecessary barrier to licensure and weakens civil liberties. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interest seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.
H 433Senate 20241x

Ensuring Government Can Hire the Most Qualified and Talented Employees by Reducing College Degree Requirements.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill would require the state government's human resources department to consider an applicants' skills, work, and relevant experience in addition to a postsecondary degree they may hold. Additionally, the bill stipulates that no state job classification may require a postsecondary degree (with exceptions) unless the job description can describe the necessity of said degree, allowing applicants to demonstrate qualifications through comparable volunteer experience, work, education, skills, and more.
Support is the Limited Government Position as government hiring decisions should be based on recruitment of the most talented and qualified applicant for the position. Degree requirements are especially unnecessary in recent years due to the growing number of programs that are politicized and fail to equip students for real-world employment and careers.
H 490Senate 20242x

Increasing Barriers to Employment and Weakening Civil Liberties by Providing Greater Overreaching Authority to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill expands the list of occupational licenses that require fingerprint-based background checks to include professional counselors, clinical professional counselors, associate marriage and family therapists, and marriage and family therapists. Additionally, the bill provides the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses with broader authority to require background checks not otherwise required by law.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill weakens civil liberties through invasive fingerprinting and background check requirements and provides even greater authority to unelected government bureaucrats. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interest groups seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.
H 545Senate 20242x

Strengthening Property Rights and Combatting Local Government Overreach by Prohibiting Localities from Forcing Property Owners to Participate in Federal Housing Assistance Programs.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill expands the existing prohibition against local rent-control ordinances by now barring localities from forcing property owners from being forced to participate in any federal housing assistance program. The bill largely pertains to the federal Section 8 Housing Voucher program.
Support is the Limited Government Position as landlords should not be forced to participate in federal welfare programs such as Section 8, which oftentimes places landlords at greater risk for property damage and uncollected rent.
H 563Senate 20242x

Combatting Overreaching Regulations by Limiting the Use of Temporary Agency Rules and Increasing Transparency.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill is designed to reduce the regulatory authority of government employees by narrowing the scope of the extremely broad language pertaining to "temporary rules" within the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act. Additionally, the bill contains provisions which increase transparency requirements for any incorporated materials.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps protect against overreaching regulations by strengthening transparency and limiting the authority of unelected government bureaucrats.
H 572Senate 20242x

Preventing Wealth Redistribution by Prohibiting Localities from Establishing "Guaranteed Income Programs."

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill prohibits localities in the state from adopting or enforcing any guaranteed income program, unless authorized by state statute. Under the bill, a guaranteed income program is defined as "a plan funded or administered by the government under which an individual is provided with regular, unconditional cash payments to be used for any purpose by the individual."
Support is the Limited Government Position as guaranteed income programs increase government dependency and wealth redistribution and run contrary to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.
H 574Senate 20241x

Increasing Clarity and Transparency on Ballot Questions Pertaining to Bonds and Tax Levies.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill requires any bond ballot question or official statement which includes a statement about state tax relief funds to clarify the year state tax relief funds will retire. The bill also prohibits a ballot question or official statement from including any information regarding state tax relief funds unless a specific dollar amount of such funding is guaranteed to the taxing district.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps protect taxpayers from growing debt due to unsound fiscal policies by local governments by ensuring voters are informed of the costs associated with the bonds.
H 577Senate 20242x

Growing Medicaid Spending Under Obamacare Through a New "State Directed Payment" Scheme to Hospitals which Games the System to Extract Additional Federal Funds.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill creates a new "state directed payment" program under the state's Medicaid welfare program which was expanded under Obamacare. The bill ultimately results in higher payments to hospitals and healthcare providers by gaming the federal Medicaid system. .
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows out of control Medicaid spending and places the state at even greater dependency on federal funds - a significant liability if federal funding is cut. The state and federal government must work to shrink the Medicaid system. The out of control spending, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in existing federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 599Senate 20242x

Strengthening Election Integrity by Criminalizing the Practice of "Ballot Harvesting".

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill criminalizes ballot harvesting, defined as "the practice of third party individuals and groups… 'harvesting' absentee or mail ballots from voters and then delivering them to election officials for processing and counting." A violation of this law would be a misdemeanor, unless the violator was paid by anyone other than the voter to collect the voter's ballot, which would make the violation a felony. Exceptions are provided under the bill.
Support is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.
H 603Senate 20241x

Protecting Taxpayers by Prohibiting State Government Departments from Sponsoring or Donating to Non-Governmental Events or Organizations.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill prohibits state agencies and departments from donating to nongovernmental organizations or sponsoring their events without written permission from the director of such department. However, the bill does provide certain exceptions.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as a step in the right direction to increasing government integrity and preventing waste and misuse of public funds which cost taxpayers and erode public trust. Lawmakers can strengthen these restrictions by removing the exceptions granted to schools and certain boards.
H 604Senate 20241x

Restricting Competition Through an Overreaching New Mandate Which Forces Electrical Contracting Businesses to Employ an Electrician with a Greater Amount of Experience.

Against
Limited
Government
Under current law, an individual owner of an electrical contracting business is required to employ a full-time journeyman or master electrician. This bill requires the journeyman to now have over two thousand hours of documented experience as a licensed journeyman electrician. The bill also no longer allows an owner to act as their own journeyman electrician unless they too meet the experience requirement.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is primarily designed to restrict competition by making it harder to start an electrical contracting business.
H 620Senate 20242x

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Preventing Localities from Infringing the Right to Own or Carry Knives.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill prohibits localities from regulating the possession, sale, transfer, and manufacture of knives. Exceptions are provided under the bill that would allow schools, court houses, law enforcement and involuntary confinement facilities, and political subdivisions that regulate child care to regulate knives.
Support is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms (including knives) is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure also helps protect against undue local regulation of the knife industry.
H 624Senate 20242x

Competing With the Private Lending Industry and Placing Taxpayer Funds at Risk through the Establishment of a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Program.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill enacts the Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Act, which will provide financing to commercial property owners for certain government-approved improvements such as increased energy efficiency. Under the program localities may issue bonds (debt) to finance the improvements, which are then repaid through an additional assessment on their property.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only is it not the proper role of government to compete in the lending industry, but taxpayer funds are unnecessarily placed at risk in the event of a default. Furthermore, the C-PACE program creates additional complications in the mortgage industry concerning lien priority and debt recovery.
H 626Senate 20242x

Combatting the Regulatory Overreach of Unaccountable Bureaucrats by Ending Judicial Deference to Agency Interpretations of Statutes.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill ends judicial deference to agency interpretations of statutes or rules, instead requiring courts to interpret the relevant questions of law themselves.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure serves as a critical tool to combatting the regulatory overreach of unaccountable bureaucrats within government by helping restore the proper separation of powers. Similar actions should be taken at the federal level considering the disastrous decision made by the Supreme Court in the infamous Chevron deference case.
H 633Senate 20242x

Increasing Government Dependency and Ballooning Medicaid Welfare Spending by Hiking Postpartum Coverage from 60 Days to 12 Months.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill extends the duration of postpartum coverage provided Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) from 60 days to 1 year.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government dependency under the state's Medicaid welfare program. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 649Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Expanding the Office of Species Conservation Through a Bloated Budget and Expansion of Government Bureaucracy.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $19 million and 16 full-time positions to the Office of Species Conservation for 2025, growing the budget by over 34% in the last three years and adding one new full-time position. Additionally, the budget includes over $18 million in federal grants, subjecting the agency to additional federal control and regulation.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector is the best equipped to advance wildlife conservation through charitable endeavors and private operations, and this measure unnecessarily grows the size of a state agency.
H 650Senate 20242x

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Ballooning Spending for Unnecessary Initiatives within the Commission on the Arts.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $2.2 million and establishes 10 full-time positions to the Commission on the Arts for 2025.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as providing funding for the arts is not a core nor necessary function of the government, rather a role of the private sector through foundations and philanthropy. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 654Senate 20242x

Reducing Employment Opportunities for Incarcerated Individuals by Imposing Wage Requirements onto Employers.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill imposes new wage regulations on employers who hire prisoners, stipulating the prisoners employed with a private employer must receive the same salary range offered to other employees based on experience, education, and other qualifications. The bill also requires that the employed prisoner be given all benefits offered to other similarly situated employees.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill will likely reduce employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals - which may spike recidivism. Wage requirements - like all government price controls - price individuals out of the market whose skills or situation (criminal risk) do not match the state's lofty wage and other employee benefit mandates.
H 668Senate 20242x

Protecting Taxpayers from Being Forced to Fund Surgeries and Procedures for Gender Dysphoria.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill prohibits the use of taxpayer funds to pay for any surgical operation or medical intervention that seeks "to affirm the individual's perception of the individual's sex in a way that is inconsistent with the individual's biological sex."
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill prevents further growth of the government welfare state. Additionally, taxpayers - many of whom may have critical views of affirming "gender dysphoria" - should not be forced to pay for such services.
H 675Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $12.6 Million Appropriation (Quadrupled since 2022) to the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill provides 11 full-time positions and appropriates over $12.6 million to the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources for 2025, a budget increase from 2022 nearly four and a half times higher than what would be recommended by inflationary pressures and growth.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the free market - not government central planning - is the best mechanism to advance energy development. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 686Senate 20242x

Strengthening the Integrity of the Unemployment Insurance System Through Increased Work Search Requirements.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill increases and clarifies work search requirements for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Under the bill, those receiving benefits must conduct at least five "work search actions per week," these actions include job searches, completing a resume, attending a job fair, and more. The bill clarifies what constitutes a failure to apply for suitable work and what the appropriate exceptions are (illness, injury, or immediate family emergency). Lastly, the bill requires the Idaho Department of Labor to establish an email address and web portal allowing employers to report suspected violations of the law.
Support is the Limited Government Position as combatting fraud within the state's unemployment insurance system is critical to maintaining low payroll taxes for businesses which are forced to pay into the system. While unemployment insurance should not be carried out by government - rather, a system should be established whereby individuals and companies can purchase into a program on the private marketplace - lawmakers have a duty to maintain the integrity of the system.
H 689Senate 20242x

Increasing Government Interference in Private Contracting Agreements Between Automobile Manufacturers and Dealers and Imposing New Protectionist Mandates.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill contains a long list of new regulations on automobile manufacturers and on contract agreements with their dealerships. Most notably, the bill prohibits an automobile manufacturer from selling or leasing a vehicle directly to a consumer or performing warranty repair work.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is an egregious example of government interference in the private contracting rights of the motor vehicle industry. This protectionism merely enriches dealerships (the middleman) while preventing the free market from expanding competition and lowering costs for consumers.
H 694Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $30 Million Appropriation (64% Higher than 2022) to the Liquor Division.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $30 million and 257.25 full-time positions to the Liquor Division, the budget 64% higher from 2022 than what is needed for inflationary growth. The bill adds three new full-time positions, which includes a new program systems specialist.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the free market - not government central planning - is the best equipped to sell liquor, and this measure unnecessarily grows the size of a state agency. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 703Senate 20242x

Funding Politicized Research on Climate Change, Community Development and Other Wasteful Initiatives by Appropriating $38.4 Million to the University of Idaho Agricultural Research Program.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $38 million and 341.33 full-time positions to the University of Idaho Agricultural Research and Extension Services for 2025, a program "conducting research on a range of topics related to food systems, health and community development, water resources, plant science, climate change and much more." The bill creates two new full-time faculty positions that specialize in either irrigation or forestry research and a janitorial position.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the vast majority of this funding is for politicized and completely unnecessary research initiatives. The private sector (private companies, philanthropy and foundations) is the best institution to determine the need and fund such research initiatives. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 722Senate 20242x

Fueling Wasteful Spending Through an Over $84 Million Appropriation (350% Increase since 2022) to the Workforce Development Council.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $84 million and 20 full-time positions to the Workforce Development Council for 2025, which is a budgetary growth more than three and a half times what is needed for inflationary growth from 2022. The bill also creates three new full-time positions.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill preserves and expands an unnecessary government agency, as the private sector is best equipped to advanced workforce development. Lawmakers should instead repeal overly restrictive licensing regulations that merely serve to limit competition in the workplace. Additionally, the state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 734Senate 20243x

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Ballooning Spending to Over $700 Million for Colleges and Universities and Funding for Nearly 5,000 Employees.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $700 million for state colleges and universities and the State Board of Education, including funding for nearly 5,000 government employees.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice. College and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e., tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. These enormous costs should not be imposed on individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education, such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
S 1234Senate 20242x

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Health Insurance Companies Cover a 6-Month Supply of Contraceptive Drugs.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate which requires most healthcare policies offered in the state that cover prescription contraceptive drugs to cover a 6-month supply of the drugs.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual or business from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.
S 1253Senate 20241x

Hiking Consumer Costs Through Overreaching New Censorship Filter Mandates on Smartphone Manufacturers.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill imposes new regulations on smartphone and tablet manufacturers. Under the bill, manufacturers are required to include strict censorship filters that automatically take effect when the device is activated if the device cannot conclusively determine that the user is an adult. The filter must block content transmitted via the internet that is deemed "obscene material."
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure represents government overreach into the private sector which unnecessarily drives up consumer costs through a one size fits all mandate. It is the responsibility of the parent - not government - to monitor and control their child's smartphone usage.
S 1273Senate 20242x

Forcing Taxpayers to Create New Voter Guides that Provide Avenues for Government Electioneering and Corruption.

Against
Limited
Government
Under current law, voter pamphlets are mailed to Idahoans. This bill would require the Secretary of State to prepare and distribute new comprehensive voters guides for both general and primary elections. The guide must have "uniform information about issues, measures, and candidates to be voted on," and candidates can submit a photo, statement, and campaign contact information to be included.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure expands the scope of the Secretary of State's role in elections and creates avenues for government electioneering and corruption. Additionally, the guides represent an unnecessary cost onto taxpayers considering the private sector (such as the Institute for Legislative Analysis) provides a litany of information on lawmakers and candidates.
S 1274Senate 20241x

Protecting Students and Staff at Public Colleges and Universities from being Forced to Provide Diversity Statements in the Application Process or as a Condition of Employment.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) from asking prospective job or student applicants to provide a diversity statement.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps protect free speech as well as taxpayer funds from being utilized to promote politicized DEI efforts which sow division amongst Americans and are intended to further grow the role of government.
S 1275Senate 20241x

Strengthening Second Amendment Rights by Providing Immunity to Employers Who Allow Employee Concealed Carry.

Supports
Limited
Government
Under current law, employers are protected from civil liability when allowing or not prohibiting the lawful storage of firearms by employees in their personal motor vehicles on the employer's business premises. This bill would expand those protections to include employers who allow or don't prohibit the lawful carrying of a firearm on an employee's person.
Support is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure helps protect employers from civil liability for supporting their employees' Second Amendment rights and ability to defend themselves.
S 1296Senate 20242x

Strengthening Property Rights by Protecting the Right of Individuals to Mine Digital Currency.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill, the Bitcoin Protection Act, prohibits the state and local governments from imposing regulations that prevent the holding, mining, and use of Bitcoin. These regulations include special taxes or collections, regulating noise, zoning, and money transmission, and more.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens property rights by combatting overreaching government regulations that infringe on the right of individuals to mine digital currencies. This measure is especially important considering the reckless and dangerous monetary actions that have been taken by the Federal Reserve, such as quantitative easing.
S 1303Senate 20241x

Weakening Government Transparency and Accountability by Increasing the Reporting Threshold for Service Contracts from $10,000 to $30,000.

Against
Limited
Government
Under current law, the state and all taxing entities must publish the information regarding any personal service contract entered that is over $10,000 annual payment, regardless of where the funds are derived from. This bill would increase the report threshold requirement from $10,000 to $30,000.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill weakens transparency and makes it harder for individuals, the press and government watchdog organizations to hold officials accountable and report on government operations.
S 1314Senate 20242x

Safeguarding Taxpayer Funds from Run-Away Inflation by Allowing the State Treasurer to Invest "Idle Money" in Gold and Silver.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill allows the state Treasurer to hold up to 7.5% in state funds in physical gold and silver, so long as the assets are maintained security in a depository specifically built for precious metals located in Idaho or in an Idaho-charted bank or credit union.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps ensure taxpayers are diversified and protected in the event of extreme inflation or a hyper-inflation scenario. This is especially critical considering the reckless policies of the Federal Reserve, such as quantitative easing.
S 1329Senate 20241x

Strengthening Parental Rights by Preventing Minor Medical Care without Parental Consent and Ensuring Parent Access to Child's Medical Records.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill, called the Parental Rights in Medical Decision-Making, protects a parents' right to make health care decisions for their children and guarantee access to their children's medical records. Specifically, the bill prohibits an individual - unless provided by court order - to furnish a health care service or solicit to furnish a health care service to a minor child without obtaining the prior consent of the minor's parent, with exceptions during medical emergencies. The bill also prohibits a health care provider or government entity form denying a minor's parent access to health information that is requested by the parent. Those subject to violations of these provisions make seek relief through a private right of action.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps protect individual liberties and promote child safety by ensuring parents are making the medical decisions for their minor children.
S 1377Senate 20242x

Increasing the Integrity of Ballot Initiatives Through Transparency of Paid Signature Gatherers.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill requires individuals who are paid to gather signatures for initiatives and referenda to identify themselves as such when gathering signatures. The paid gatherers must verbally tell voters they are paid, wear a badge indicating they are being paid, and prominently note on their petition that they are being paid to collect the signatures.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps to combat abuse within the petition initiative process which has resulted in passage of multiple big government policies.
S 1383Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $87.9 Million Appropriation (250% increase since 2022) to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $87 million and over 190 full-time positions to the Department of Park and Recreation for 2025, an increase more than two and a half times from 2022 when accounting for inflation. The bill also creates seven new full-time positions.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector is much better equipped to manage property and provide recreational services. The state should work to shrink its land holdings and rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
S 1406Senate 20242x

Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Policies Through the Funding of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill increases the program maintenance budget for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs to an amount 54% higher than what would be appropriate taking inflation into account.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this frivolous commission is outside the proper role of government and a waste of taxpayer money.
S 1412Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $169 Million Appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $169 million and 385.02 full-time positions to the Department of Environmental Quality for 2024, which represents an increase of nearly double the amount prescribed for inflation and general growth.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this state agency is tasked with a litany of unnecessary initiatives and grant programs. Additionally, the state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
S 1442Senate 20242x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending and Regulatory Overreach Through an Over $36 Million Appropriation to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $36 million and 267.20 full-time positions to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for 2025, funding a number of runaway expenditures.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as ultimately, the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace. Additionally, the state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
S 1448Senate 20243x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $203 Million Appropriation (450% Increase) to the Department of Commerce.

Supports
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $203 million and 48 full-time positions to the Department of Commerce for 2025 to cover the agency spending that has grown more than four and a half times in its base appropriates in 2022.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure represents an enormous hike in spending to an entity engaged in numerous unnecessary initiatives and increases the state's reliance in federal funding. The funding provided under the bill for broadband also enriches woke left-wing companies such as Comcast. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
S 1456Senate 20243x

Increasing Government Dependency and Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through an Over $4.7 Billion Appropriation for the State's Expanded Medicaid System under Obamacare.

Against
Limited
Government
This bill appropriates over $4.7 billion to the Department of Health and Welfare for the state's Medicaid system which it expanded under Obamacare. Spending has grown by over 33.8% in the last three years, and this bill would authorize the creation of 24.5 additional full-time positions to expand administrative overhead within the department.
Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government dependency and wasteful spending within the state's Medicaid welfare program The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
H 398Senate 20242x

Protecting Taxpayers from Ballooning Medicaid Welfare Spending by Requiring Legislative Approval for Expansion.

Neutral
This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Welfare from seeking or implementing new Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) state plan amendments or waivers that would expand coverage or increase any cost to the state without explicit legislative authority.
Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces government dependency and helps protects taxpayers from runaway spending under the state's Medicaid welfare program.
S 1352Senate 20241x

Protecting the Religious Liberties of Counselors and Therapists by Ensuring They Are Not Forced to Violate their Sincerely Held Principles.

Neutral
This bill allows professional counselors and marriage and family therapists to opt-out of "counseling in support of goals, outcomes, or behaviors" due to "sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical principles."
Support is the Limited Government Position as businesses and individuals should have the freedom to contract and not be forced to provide a service that violates their beliefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sen. Chuck Winder's voting record?

Sen. Chuck Winder (R-ID-20) earned a 39% Institute for Legislative Analysis score for 2024, showing limited alignment with limited-government principles. Chuck Winder voted on 42 of the 44 key bills ILA scored in 2024. Across 2 years rated, Chuck Winder's lifetime ILA score averages 42%, with 90 votes recorded across 93 scored bills. Chuck Winder represents the 20th District in the Idaho State Senate. Highest category scores: Free Speech and Elections (86%), Education (83%), and Individual Liberties (83%).

How aligned is Chuck Winder with limited-government principles?

Chuck Winder earned a 39% Institute for Legislative Analysis score in 2024, showing limited alignment with limited-government principles.

What is Chuck Winder's ILA score?

Chuck Winder has a 39% ILA score for 2024. Across 2 years rated, Chuck Winder's lifetime average is 42%.

Where does Chuck Winder serve?

Sen. Chuck Winder (R-ID-20) represents the 20th District in the Idaho State Senate as a Republican.

What issue categories does Chuck Winder score highest on?

Chuck Winder's strongest categories on the Institute for Legislative Analysis scorecard are: Free Speech and Elections (86%), Education (83%), Individual Liberties (83%).

Where can I see Chuck Winder's full voting record?

View the full list of scored bills, category breakdown, and year-over-year voting record above. Institute for Legislative Analysis updates this scorecard as new key votes are scored.

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