All 2009 Idaho Opinions
Idaho counties need new jails, no matter how voters feel Ballot measures to fund new or expanded jail facilities failed in three Idaho counties, but voters' distaste aside, the counties have little options but to move forward to replace aging facilities.
Sage-grouse debate could provide new decision-making process The use of science in public policy making is complex, and the upcoming debate on sage grouse and whether the species needs federal protection could provide a perfect forum to get scientists, land managers, interested decision makers and the public on the same stage to talk through the scientific, political, social and economic issues about the decision. A column for High Country News' The Grange by John Freemuth.
Report on Idaho's dairy workers a real eye-opener A study of Idaho's dairies released last week that was commissioned by the dairy industry and conducted by four University of Idaho researchers identifies problems that the industry contributes to in the state, but also proposes innovative solutions.
Amtrak never at a loss to provide money-losing propositions The Pew Charitable Trusts released a study Tuesday that documented Amtrak's money-losing ways, results that should - but no doubt won't - dampen the enthusiasm rail aficionados have for expanding the passenger-rail's money-losing routes.
Idaho has a health insurance crisis of its own brewing Sometime next year - probably while the Legislature is in session - the state Catastrophic Health Fund, which helps counties cover medical costs for indigents, will run out of money. And taxpayers will probably have to make up the difference.
Higher ed slides toward bankruptcy When you view the 20 percent cuts into higher education's ongoing budget over the last few years, it becomes clear Idaho is no longer merely trimming away the fat. It's sawing away fingers and toes, if not limbs.
This Timing's Lousy Jeers to state budget leaders for going after "Promise Scholarships" and lessening access to Idaho's colleges and universities; Cheers to volunteers who help seniors with their tax forms.
Gasoline tax fades as solution to highway funding User fees based on vehicle miles traveled may not be the best alternative to the gasoline tax in a large rural state like Idaho; but some alternative to the current gas tax will be needed to make up for lower revenues due to motorists driving more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Turning a bad situation around The tax shift of 2006 was a bad deal for Idaho's poorest citizens. Legislators, at the behest of then-Gov. James Risch, cut property taxes $260 million and raised $200 million by increasing the sales tax a penny.
Should private sector be asked to plug holes in U of I ag spending? The University of Idaho has made significant cuts to its Agricultural Research and Extension budget. In the case of the proposed livestock research center near Jerome - and perhaps other university-sponsored enterprises in the Magic Valley - the private sector will have to make up the difference.
Voters can raise the bar on political dialogue Former President George H.W. Bush was right about two things the other day. First, American politics are getting uglier. Second, the trend didn't begin with the election of President Barack Obama.
Enrollment caps on campus? That's a higher ed horror story Idaho's legislative budget director told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee last week that lawmakers might have to consider capping college enrollments. California's experience suggests it may take years for the higher ed system and the state's students to recover from enrollment caps.
Consolidating state services? Not a job for the faint-hearted In government, real reform means real discomfort. Are lawmakers and state officials willing to endure it to save taxpayers money?
I-84 work needs to continue The GARVEE-funded freeway-widening project in Canyon County will benefit Treasure Valley commuters and construction workers without taking funds away from other critical programs like schools and corrections.
Uninsured still a big hole in the Senate bill For a small but growing number of Idahoans, the state is the health care payer of last resort. But Idaho's catastrophic health care account is quickly running out of money, and the "reform" bill currently before the US Senate won't do enough to ease the state's burden of paying for the uninsured.
Drawing line in sand, Nellis will dirty his fingers If University of Idaho President Duane Nellis wants to argue that his school and its sister institutions of higher learning should be spared another round of reductions, he'll have to offer alternatives.
Idaho budget fix is beyond simple reform Lawmakers need to step up and make hard decisions on the budget and taxes and not just occupy space in Boise.
The grocery tax credit can wait another year Delaying the extension of the state's new grocery tax credit would be a sensible way to capture a significant percentage of $52 million in state holdbacks - midyear budget cuts - the state needs to get through the current fiscal year.
A program worth paying for This year's budget battles will be brutal. Declining state revenues have placed public schools and colleges in the crosshairs. Every request will be scrutinized. Those not deemed necessary -- or unavoidable -- will be viewed with skepticism.
Donna Yule: State needs to understand value of retaining quality workers The Idaho Statesman should be congratulated for the story concerning pay raises for some state employees. The story was fair and showed why sometimes people should get raises even in a recession.
Is Denney rewriting Roberts' biography? In promoting his colleague Ken Roberts for Congress, Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney credits him with accomplishing the impossible.
Brad Little's echo chamber takes flight Last month, a contingent of state officials - Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke and deputy Attorney General Clive Strong - joined Idaho Mining Association lobbyist Jack Lyman for a tour of southeastern Idaho's phosphate mining district.
Officials should be careful with lobbying Last month, a group of officials boarded a state-owned airplane to tour potential phosphate mining sites in southeast Idaho. The Idaho Mining Association paid the costs. In hindsight, the tour looks a little bit like state business, but it also looks a little bit like a lobbying effort bankrolled by special interests. And therein lies the rub.
Idaho could learn from Washington state's consolidation effort In the face of ever-tightening state budgets, Idaho should consider consolidating some of its agencies, much like Washington state is considering.
State should tap rainy day fund to preserve programs Rep. Branden Durst argues that "now is the time to use state reserves to help with job creation so that normal Idahoans can get back to work and get this economy moving again."
Lawmakers must defend Medicaid, higher ed Idaho's state's school superintendent, Tom Luna, has been an effective advocate for K-12 schools during two rounds of painful budget cuts. No such visible or influential public figure is available to look out for equally critical Medicaid and higher education services, so legislators must take up the job.
Nothing wrong with Otter's deliberate approach to state budget-cutting Two weeks ago Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter announced that he's deferring a decision about $52 million in budget holdbacks. Otter is playing for time with this strategy, and that's appropriate. He understands the financial picture can change - for better or worse - before the Legislature convenes on Jan. 11.
How Phil Batt fixed a piece of health care The latest Census information shows a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of Idaho's children. More than a decade ago, one of every five of them lacked access to health insurance. Today, that number has been reduced by half.
Educate, don't mandate Cigarettes are a legal product; bar owners have property rights; and freedom is a precious thing that should be jealously guarded. So Idaho should not expand its smoking ban to include bars.
Chuck Oxley was one of the genuine people Idaho Statesman commentator Kevin Reichert offers an encomium for fellow journalist Chuck Oxley, who died in a recent car accident.
Rammell revives the Sagebrush Rebellion To hear Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell tell it, solving Idaho's problems comes down to acquiring ownership of the massive federal lands within its borders.
What will happen when Boise rules Idaho politics? The 2010 Census - and the reapportionment that will follow in 2011 - will change this state fundamentally. The balance of power in the Legislature - the institution that has forestalled the Treasure Valley's domination of Idaho government - will shift, perhaps decisively, toward Ada and Canyon counties.
Lawmakers wise to hold off on roads plan for this year Interim transportation task force recommends dumping plan to take gas tax funds from the Idaho State Police and Department of Parks and Recreation and use them to pay for road construction.
Let's work together to ensure the future of Idaho's wolves Mike Medberry argues that wolf recovery in the West has been successful and that lawsuits to put wolves back on the Endangered Species List are potentially harmful to both the wolves and the law that helped bring them back from the brink of extinction.
Luna's line in the sand means cuts elsewhere Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna says education has endured all the losses it can take. In fact, next year the system will need $112 million just to handle more students.
No more incursions into Idaho wilderness Idaho Department of Fish and Game again is asking permission to land a helicopter in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness to dart wolves and attach radio collars to them. The request should be denied.
Idaho lawmakers should heed tax-shift delay On July 1 about $20 million in gas taxes is slated to shift from the Idaho State Police and the Department of Parks and Recreation to road construction. An interim transportation committee is recommending the full Legislature delay the shift for at least one year.
Who would worry about empty jail cells? Having a dearth of state prison inmates is provoking financial headaches for the new Nez Perce County Jail.
Expect a lean 2010 state budget Rep. Scott Bedke argues that the current budget shortfall is best met by more cuts in government programs rather than by raising taxes or depleting the state's rainy-day funds.
Will Idaho voters get an echo or a choice? Without a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, no one can challenge the prevailing political view that most taxes are bad, but the best ones regressively squeeze consumers and wage-earners.
Health care reform tosses Idaho a lifeboat In at least one respect, Idahoans had better hope the federal government fixes the nation's health care mess. Otherwise, taxpayers in the Gem State are staring over the edge of a fiscal sink hole - otherwise known as the medically indigent program.
Idaho's tax code not responsible for state's hard times Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry president Alex LaBeau argues that the Times-News editorial board's recent criticism of IACI's role in shaping Idaho's current tax code (and tax exemptions).
Lowering the bar: Why it's time to junk Idaho's two-thirds supermajority rule Members of The Common Interest support State Superintendent Luna's proposal to lower the school bond election threshold to 60 percent.
Bail may not be prudent in some cases Canyon County voters will be asked next month to approve a $46 million bond that would pay for a new, larger jail. The proposal highlights a debate that is core to the issue of whether voters will see the need to build a new jail — what kind of offenders should be locked up and which ones shouldn't.
Luna saw budget right - then and now State Supt. Luna says decision to cut schools at the beginning of a budget cycle, when school boards and administrators have more flexibility, was the right one, leaving more in rainy-day funds to cover the current mid-year shortfall.
ISU president is right: Idaho needs a 'skunkworks' In the 65 years since it was first tried, the concept of skunkworks has spread across business, technology and academia as shorthand for an incubator where new ideas could be developed. Now Idaho State University President Art Vailas thinks Idaho needs one to help new companies get started.
An Unsustainable System It's time to set emotion aside and face the truth. The American health care system, nationally and locally, is unsustainable. It leaves too many behind and cripples businesses. The status quo isn't good enough and doing nothing is no longer an option.
How severe was the cut to Idaho public schools? No matter how you look at the spreadsheets, Idaho public schools took an unprecedented budget cut during 2009-10. And, without an economic stimulus bill that passed over the objections of the Idaho congressional delegation, the state's public schools would be in an even deeper world of hurt.
After patch job, Otter's budget still leaks Look closely at the spending cuts Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter announced Friday. He rounded up almost $99 million in savings, but the budget hole is $151 million. That leaves almost $52 million unresolved.
Cowboy up, Butch, and put things in motion After announcing another round of budget cuts last week, Governor Otter said he has ideas about where the state can save additional money. But he says they're still "immature." It's time mature the ideas and make them public.
How the recession has changed Idaho All Idahoans are suffering during this recession, but it's clear that our poorer, youngest and oldest fellow citizens are bearing the brunt. That will be important to remember when rebuilding the state's economy.
One more problem with Otter's Idaho university cuts One month into the school year, universities are being forced to scramble to absorb a 6 percent "holdback" in state funding. Universities have just as much difficulty making mid-course adjustments to their budgets as K-12 schools do, but while K-12 schools got rainy-day funds to help them out, universities did not.
Otter taps savings but doesn't go far enough Here's the good news, to the extent that there is good news about the state budget. Governor Otter recommended a $49.3 million withdrawal from one of Idaho's rainy-day accounts to cover public schools.
Unlike you, Risch benefited from his tax cut Under former Gov. Risch's school-funding tax bill, big business and wealthy families netted a $60 million tax cut. Everybody else paid $10 million more.
Kustra's advocacy for higher ed is much needed Columnist Kevin Richert wonders why former Illinois Lt. Governor and current BSU President Bob Kustra would even be interested in becoming the new head of the scandal-plagued University of Illiois. Then again, he wonders why, after last week's budget holdback announcement, anyone would want to remain in charge of an Idaho university.
Ban texting while driving When lawmakers on both sides of the aisle come out in favor of legislation more than three months before the next session begins, you can bet it's an important topic.
Vision for the Valley goes from vision to reality Just-released "Vision for the Valley" strategic plan for the Boise area emphasizes "vibrant and diverse economy," collaboration among its 23 recommendations for action.
Idaho charter schools left some kids behind Public schools are supposed to be the last common denominator in American society. But if you're white and your parents have money, you're more likely to be among the 12,000 Idahoans attending one of 36 tax-supported charters. If you're a member of a racial minority, poor or have special needs, you're more likely to be among the 275,000 children who attend Idaho's traditional schools.
Gov. Otter got it right in tempering holdbacks Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter did what he had to do Friday, tempering a 6 percent shortfall in state revenue by spending $49.3 million from state "rainy day" funds to rescue public schools.
Cheers & Jeers: Sending the right message Cheers to state schools superintendent Tom Luna for his willingness to speak the truth about the impact additional budget cuts would have on Idaho's public school system. Jeers for a county central committee for voting in secret to oust Blake Hall as GOP national committeeman.
Drivers have no business texting Some Idaho lawmakers plan to introduce legislation in January that will prohibit people from sending text messages while driving.
Nothing innovative about Idaho funding Micron At Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter's Innovation Summit Thursday, Otter announced that Micron Technology would get $5 million in federal stimulus funds to develop new light technology using light-emitting diodes, but given the tax breaks doled out to the Boise-based business that has shown questionable loyalty lately, just how innovative is the governor's cash award to the chipmaker?
Taking half a loaf Bans on text-messaging and talking on a non-hands-free cellphone while driving may be in Idaho's future. But only the text-messaging ban will improve driver safety.
What good are tax incentives that don’t work? When the state's economy is at the bottom of a well as it is now, the state's industry-friendly tax code, with its raft of tax exemptions, makes it harder to keep state government functioning.
Postponing the schools' day of reckoning Your schools can't be spared another round of whittling. Idaho's budget picture is bleak. Revenues are off 6 percent and it could get worse.
Cell phones make roads dangerous for all of us It's now beyond dispute: Motorists on Idaho roads who are talking on a cellular telephone handset are doing a lousy job of driving. And those who are texting behind the wheel? Well, that's just criminal.
Higher ed can't take any more budget cuts The first round of cuts trimmed the obvious fat. Another round eliminated more fat and took out a little muscle in the process. More paring has the potential to seriously injure the patient.
Obama avoids pitfalls of previous Democratic presidents on Western issues When Jimmy Carter first became president, he took aim at killing Western water projects, and when Bill Clinton took the nation's helm, he sought reform of the nation's grazing and mining laws, but President Barack Obama hasn't thus far made similar assaults on the West's resources. An analysis.
It's no time to rush to expand charter schools Given the recession and unprecedented budget cuts to existing schools, state schools Superintendent Tom Luna's proposal to toss aside a statewide cap on charter schools is bad idea.
Online harassment bill has potential Twin Falls Republican Rep. Stephen Hartgen is concerned about the kind of discourse taking place in some places on the World Wide Web. He's so concerned about it he has been trying to get the Idaho Legislature to do something.
Time to get real about breaching Snake River dams Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington state would bear the brunt of the economic consequences of breaching the Snake River dams, and until the federal government and the environmental groups pressing for this scenario can pay the tab for their Holy Grail project, dam-breaching should remain just a fantasy.
Our View: Idaho's liquor license quota system is outdated The state really has no business being in the business of rationing liquor licenses. And now, unfortunately, taxpayers will pick up the legal tab for defending this antiquated and pointless practice.
Let boaters pay their way Money raised by motorboat gas taxes should stay on the water and not find its way to roads and bridges.
Idaho must carry lessons learned on tech industry into the future Idaho's love affair with high-tech business has been a volatile, decades-long relationship, and as yet another company wooed by tax incentives walks away from the Gem State, officials there should remember the next time a suitor comes calling that there's no such thing as a sure thing in the tech industry and that tax incentives should be measured carefully.
The wreck of tech: What did we learn? Through the kind of horse-trading of which few others are capable, former Gov. Cecil Andrus in 1972 talked Hewlett-Packard - a California company that had marketed the world's first personal computer four years earlier - into building a factory to manufacture printers and copiers in Boise.
Richert: Idaho stimulus dollars: rhetoric vs. reality Back when Idaho politicians were railing about - and voting against - the $787 billion economic stimulus plan, they suggested the staggering sum of taxpayer money would wind up in a black hole. Turns out that a relatively big chunk is heading right here.
Idaho's go-it-alone GOP can do it alone As long as Idaho's Republican Party is determined to close its primary election to everyone except its own members, why should your tax dollars pay for it?
Lean budget helps long-term The recent news that state tax revenue is projected to come in about $173 million below already-conservative estimates underscores the wisdom of Gov. Butch Otter and lawmakers in putting together a bare-bones budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
Our View: It's still raining. Use the rainy-day funds. Idaho has $275.4 million stashed away in four budget reserve accounts. The time has come to make some withdrawals.
Idaho's economy can't grow out of this hole Six years ago, then Gov. Dirk Kempthorne decided he didn't want to preside over the dismantling of Idaho's schools and other government programs. The same choice now confronts Kempthorne's successor, C. L. (Butch) Otter, and the new crop of legislators.
Time for governor to call the shots at ITD For the state to make any headway on fixing its crumbling transportation infrastructure, ITD must have leadership that's on the same page with the Legislature and the governor. If it takes a political appointment to do that, so be it.
Closed primary fight goes back to square one For three years, some Idaho Republicans have been pushing to close their primary elections. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill wants the GOP to demonstrate how an open primary is affecting party politics.
Idaho schools dealt with Obama talk right way As with many things past and present White House occupants have done over the years, President Obama's address to the nation's schoolchildren has generated a range of reaction. Idaho's schools did a good job of handling it.
Get off the sidelines Decisions about how to handle Idaho's budget shortfall over the next few years are too important to leave to the politicians.
Climate change presents biggest threat to America's wilderness Sigurd Olson, the nature writer and former Wilderness Society president who led the fight to protect Minnesota's Boundary Waters, first spoke of global warming in 1972, and now wilderness advocates are caught between fighting for more protected acres or to redirect their efforts toward addressing climate change. A column by Rocky Barker.
Filling Sweeney's shoes at Transportation Other than a Democrat and a resident of north central Idaho, Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter has wide latitude in who fills the seventh seat on the state transportation board.
Dairy research may be cash cow - literally - of Idaho's economy Other universities in the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies do research on dairy cattle. Is that reason enough to scuttle a proposed livestock research center near Jerome?
Stop harassing law-abiding hunters There's a right way to object to Idaho's wolf hunt, and there's a wrong way. And the wrong way is to call or e-mail a hunter who is only following the rules.
Charter should wait on Bibles The leadership of the new Nampa Classical Academy made an about face last week and decided to include the Bible in lessons even though state officials ruled they could not.
Mercury should be - and is - taken seriously in Idaho If you're old enough to remember having your temperature taken with a household mercury thermometer, you may be wondering why there's so much concern over mercury these days.
What civics lesson will parents teach their kids? It wasn't indoctrination when Republican presidents spoke to schoolchildren before. And it won't be indoctrination come Tuesday, when a Democratic president is America's guest lecturer-in-chief.
How many Cottonwood escapes are too many? Idaho Correction Director Brent Reinke says any escape from Cottonwood's North Idaho Correctional Institution is one too many.
Sheep panel members should return to the table The focus on wildlife in Idaho lately has been in regards to the state allowing hunters to shoot and kill wolves. But there has been another contentious wildlife issue this year that has brought some groups to the boiling point.
‘Voluntary’ emissions testing plan won’t cut it At the beginning of June, Canyon County officials got news they had been dreading: state law was requiring them to come up with a plan to reduce vehicle emissions.
Idaho's delusional candidate Rex Rammell's "Obama tag" comment has made him the media's flavor of the month. And Idaho is worse off because of it.
Building his oligarchy President Obama and his friends in Congress have given American citizens plenty of reason to be frightened.
Idaho is treading water in stormy seas Idaho's tax revenues continue to slip, putting the state on the verge of yet another round of budget cuts.
Rammell's 'Obama tags' remark was plain stupid Rex Rammell doesn't seem to understand why his political adversaries can't take a "joke."
Rammell’s reaction a bad omen of leadership Rex Rammell's political outlook may appeal to many residents of the staunchly conservative Idaho, but his idea of humor is a potential embarrassment if his becomes the face and voice that represent the state in the world's eyes.
Eliminate state agencies? That’s a long-shot solution Public employees - those who still have jobs - are likely to bear the brunt of the next round of state budget cutbacks.
Wolf hunt balances factions In Idaho, hunting is one of the state's most popular and practiced recreational activities. As of Tuesday, a new target was added to the list — wolves.
Idaho needs its own 'McCain moment' Former GOP presidential candidate John McCain stood up to unwarranted personal attacks on his Democratic opponent Barack Obama last fall. In light of recent comments about "Obama tags," Idaho's political leadership should do more of the same.
Some of Idaho's state employees get raises More than half of the small percentage of employees whose pay will increase work for the Idaho State Police.
Luna can reform federal school reform Is there anyone in a better place to see what's ailing the No Child Left Behind Act than Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna?
What's this? A reasoned, nonpartisan discussion? Idaho Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick appeared together Monday to discuss health care - a reasoned, balanced debate that exemplifies what the national discussion on health care reform will need to look like in order for legislation to pass.
Rex Rammell says Gov. Otter out to 'destroy' him Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell said Tuesday that he believes Gov. Butch Otter aims to "destroy" him for challenging him in the 2010 governor's race.
Cheers & Jeers: Rammell does it again JEERS to Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell. The former Upper Valley elk rancher showed this week why voters have overwhelmingly repudiated him every time he's run for public office.
Cheers & Jeers: Who listens? CHEERS to Boise State University President Bob Kustra for speaking up on behalf of part-time workers and those without health insurance.
Kustra's criticism of the state is courageous In his recent State of the University speech, the Boise State University president publicly and pointedly criticized Gov. Butch Otter's plan to raise insurance premiums for part-time state employees.
Idaho GOP leaders condemn Rammell as Rammell continues hunt Obama 'joke' Top Idaho Republicans — Gov. Butch Otter, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt — all condemned fellow Republican Rex Rammell on Friday after he amplified his "joke" about wanting to buy a license to hunt President Barack Obama.
Rex Rammell's rabble-rousing Rex Rammell was already a fringe candidate for governor - before he began pandering to the lunatic fringe.
Outrage in Idaho over Rammell's 'Obama tags' comment should be bipartisan Rex Rammell's remark at a Republican Party event in Twin Falls during a discussion on wolves that he'd buy some "Obama tags" is reprehensible, and no one, of any political stripe or ilk in Idaho, should dismiss the incident as a "joke."
Time to end the boys' club on 5th District bench Since the Idaho Legislature created the Magistrate Court system in 1971, white men have dominated the benches of the 5th Judicial District, which covers south-central Idaho.
Sen. Ted Kennedy had good friends in Idaho Sen. Edward Kennedy first began making friends in Idaho when his brother ran for president in 1960, and he sustained his ties - with, among others, Bethine Church and Dirk Kempthorne - into the final months of his life.
Binge tonight means hangover tomorrow Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna is such a hurry to snag federal cash that he seems to have forgotten to ask what would happen to any new charter schools created with that federal money once the dollars run out.
Blick should speak up about Lowe's discrimination allegations Idaho Transportation Board member Gary Blick of Castleford should state publicly whether or not he made discriminatory remarks about Pam Lowe before the board hired her to direct the Idaho Transportation Department in 2006.
It's time to come clean Nearly seven and half months after somebody opened fire on four cops in remote Lemhi County, details about what happened and why Idaho State Police officers were there in the first place remain sparse.
No quiet exit for Idaho's highway chief It's not uncommon for a state administrator to dispute her firing. But former Idaho Transportation Director Pamela Lowe has gone far beyond doing just that. In a preliminary legal filing, Lowe has made allegations that challenge the integrity of the top echelon of state government.
And now, from Canyon County, it's emissions testing lotto? Canyon county commissioners propose a voluntary emissions testing program to meet air quality requirements.
The timing is right to hunt wolves Hunting should play a role in maintaining a balance between wolf and big game populations. That role is best defined by allowing hunters to go into the field - and allowing the state's biologists to closely track the results.
Idaho should up the ante for wolf hunters Wolves are no less a prize to hunters than other "trophy" animals such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep and moose, and given the costs of monitoring the new wolf hunts, the state should have charged at least as much for the tags.
Washington votes at home, Idaho can't People who think voting in Idaho ought to be easier need look only at their neighbor to the west for encouragement.
Democrat Bruce Sweeney leaves moderate legacy Bruce Sweeney was the best of a breed: A politician who was genuine, kind and practical and who never forgot that his job was to represent folks back home.
SRBA has worked; it might not have Most decisions by the four previous Snake River Basin Adjudication judges have been so sound that SRBA rulings have become, by-and-large, legally and politically bulletproof.
Otter is a Republican. End of campaign Candidate Butch Otter can't really run on any substantive issues, since he hasn't really accomplished much as governor. Good thing he's a Republican in a deeply GOP state.
Another fine mess for the Idaho Transportation Department The legal allegations by ousted Idaho Transportation Department chief Pam Lowe have the potential to brew up the kind of a fiasco this agency doesn't need.
Cheers and Jeers: F&G gets even JEERS to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for its politics on sheep and to the Obama administration's policy on salmon recovery. CHEERS for Gov. Otter's newest appointment to the State Board of Education and to a call for trade relations with Cuba.
Sweeney never forgot his passengers Exceptional for its time, Bruce Sweeney's brand of public service, as a state Senate Democratic leader and as a Transportation Board member, sadly, is rarer still today.
Where are you, Mr. Wasden? Ten months ago, the arm of the Idaho Attorney General's Office that explores public corruption began an investigation into the Iona-Bonneville Sewer District. No one knows exactly what they're looking for.
Outrage over health care reform misdirected The ordinary Americans who are swallowing the misinformation pandered by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that proposed health care reform will create "death panels for granny," should redirect their indignation to the existing "corporate cubicles of death," where insurance company employees deny health care with a keystroke to boost the bottom line and executives' pay, or to the myriad other existing problems in the system.
Idaho could detour Boeing's trip south Boeing is two years behind in developing its 787 Dreamliner. To catch up, the company wants to open a second assembly plant. Idaho offers the right ingredients.
Educational progress good news State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna correctly declared a great day for Idaho last week when he announced that students had made substantial progress in meeting state academic performance goals.
Idaho learns the fine art of just saying no Nearly four months have passed since Idaho's Legislature directed Fish and Game to ask their counterparts to accept some of the Gem State's wolves. No surprise - so far there are no takers.
Health care reform will push Idaho taxes higher Columnist Wayne Hoffman argues that in order to keep the federal cost of health care down, Congress and the administration will expand Medicaid, which states help fund.
Otter helped Idahoans by helping himself Gov. Butch Otter got a political dividend when the Department of Environmental Quality Board signaled its intent to tighten state regulation of mercury.
Idaho's Childhood vaccination program needs work Idaho should continue to pay for all required child vaccinations to avoid public health problems, but those that have insurance or are financially able should help pay the cost.
Open letter to charter school commission Nampa Classical Academy's request to use Bible in school gives more and more reason for concern, so if it is allowed, it must be with tight scrutiny
When did sacrifice become a dirty word? U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, D-Idaho, told a gathering of Western Democrats that they can't govern like spend-and-borrow Republicans and hope to retain power. But he didn't say how he'd bring the deficits under control. That would mean using the "T" word.
Dan Popkey: Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick tells Democrats why he's a moderate Rep. Walt Minnick is taking his moderate message to liberal enclaves outside his district to argue that if Democrats are to build on the last two elections they must govern from the center.
Our cavalier attitude about immunizations is dangerous Idaho is the most vaccination-phobic state in America. And that could lead to a serious public health problem, including with swine flu.
Focus where Otter's task force hasn't - yet Ordinary drivers who are responsible for $297 million in highway expenses are paying $305 million. Professional truckers cause $433 million worth of highway wear and tear. The industry pays $327 million. Correct that imbalance and you'd go a long way toward fixing the hole in Idaho's highway budget.
DMV needs to fix financial controls DMV handles millions of dollars in greenbacks. It's a cash business, and the department badly needs to improve what accountants call "internal controls."
Crapo's right: Feds make a lousy national school board Except for the four guys who wrote it - Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Judd Gregg, R-N.H., and Reps. John Boehner, R-Ohio, and George Miller, D-Calif. - almost everyone agrees that the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 must be changed before Congress reauthorizes it for another five years.
Idaho's law on charging kids as adults is too rigid Who is best equipped to make one of the toughest calls in criminal justice: deciding whether to charge a 14-year-old murder suspect as an adult?
Wrong turns leave Idaho without a highway map As Idaho struggles to pay to upgrade its aging road system, one former governor says he can't remember a time when ITD's standing was so low.
Kids Count results give reason for optimism Idaho shows improvement in how its children fare in some key areas such as health and education; others still lag.
Setting the record straight Rep. John Rusche argues that Idaho Democrats represent values shared by many people in the state.
Obama administration draws deep from enviro community High Country News columnist Ray Ring updates the list of folks from the environmental community who have joined the Obama administration.
The tone is different; the issues are familiar for fixing Idaho's roads The governor's new "Task Force on Modernizing Transportation Funding in Idaho" said all the right things at its first meeting recently. But it's time for solutions, not more talking and stalling.
After underwhelming first term, Otter will get a second chance Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter faces no strong challengers yet, so he'll likely win a second term. But he'll need to perform better to achieve any of his goals.
Wyoming, Montana senators score a victory for small ranchers The federal government's proposed National Animal Identification System unfairly gives corporate farmers and ranchers a break, requiring them to tag only one animal per herd or flock, but requiring small ranchers and farmers to tag all their animals; Montana Sen. Jon Tester and Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi wisely fought to get funding for this misguided program cut, a victory for small livestock producers who already have enough challenges.
Kevin Richert: Democrats are looking for a few good candidates In the late 1980s, when Betty Richardson served as Ada County Democratic Party chairwoman, her party made inroads in local legislative races - including one that ousted Jim Risch, the GOP's Senate president pro tem. She'll need more of that savvy in her new position as chairwoman of a committee recruiting Democratic candidates for the 2010 state and federal races.
Kids' shots must be kept available and affordable It's a patch job, but it couldn't have come at a better time for Idaho kids. On Tuesday, Gov. Butch Otter committed $2.1 million to cover childhood immunizations through January.
Kudos to mercury plan It's understandable why officials with the Idaho Conservation League were skeptical about Monsanto's recent decision to support regulation of mercury. Just five months ago, Monsanto stood vehemently opposed to stricter mercury regulations.
Idaho shouldn't be a deadly place for children Idaho is a surprisingly risky place to be a kid. According to the newest Kids Count survey on child welfare released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Idaho has the fifth-highest rate of child deaths in America - 29 per 100,000. Only Mississippi, Alaska, Wyoming and Montana have higher rates.
Answering one Idaho health care riddle Idaho took important steps this year toward a Medicaid-sponsored medically needy program, a move which will help contain the long-term cost of caring for the medically indigent. But more remains to be done.
Wolf world waits for Idaho hunting quota At its Aug. 17 meeting in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will set a quota for a wolf hunt in the state, and given the worldwide attention that Montana's hunt quota received, Idaho's decision will no doubt rate high in headline fodder as well.
Idaho Democrats, Republicans weigh in on health care Democratic state representative John Rusche and Idaho GOP party executive director Jonathan Parker lay out their respective parties' principles for health care reform.
Clear Forest Service funds and start work It's a good that the US Forest Service is being careful with federal stimulus funds by requiring logging contractors to be SBA certified, but the agency should waive the requirement and use its judgment in choosing local contractors to get the work going as soon as possible.
Religious texts in schools not as clear-cut as it may seem The national standard allows the use of religious texts in public schools, as long as it's for historical and literary study, but the Idaho Constitution doesn't expressly permit it.
Thinking about the future Two mining projects will give Idaho the chance to create sustainable markets in the global economy.
Getting ready for 2010 Idaho needs to have every issue on the table and every citizen at the table so we can seriously and meaningfully talk about the state of this state. That only happens if the 2010 governor's race is competitive.
Interstate gun plan was flawed A measure that would have allowed people to carry hidden guns across state lines in 48 states (excluding Wisconsin and Illinois, where they're not allowed), as long as the carriers had a concealed weapons permit from any state, was narrowly defeated last week in the Senate.
Taking the measure of the man Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna will run for a second term in 2010. Voters ought to begin paying attention now because we're about to find out how hard he's willing to fight for the state's public school system.
Legislators' choice: Cut education more, or get creative It's clear that Idaho is headed toward undiscovered country in its next state budget. Making hard choices on school and road district consolidation, and higher ed program offerings, can help close the budget gap without gutting essential services.
Defending the Constitution An Idaho Falls Tea Party group had every right to protest the federal government during the Independence Day parade.
Courts can't fix their mess, politicians should Playing out in Boise is a judicial spat over a law that is both vague and unnecessary. It says 2nd District Judge John Bradbury must reside in Idaho County.
Emission tests delay only hurts the Valley Last week, the Nampa and Caldwell city councils voted to pursue alternatives to emissions testing with the state's Department of Environmental Quality, which amounts to nothing more than a stall tactic.
Get a schmoozer, not another engineer Earlier Idaho Transportation Department directors had engineering credentials, but the state leadership has been happier with politically savvy appointees.
Adopt realistic air-quality plan A state law the Legislature adopted in 2008 requires certain areas — specifically targeting Canyon County — to develop a strategy and system to control pollutants from vehicle emissions. So far, local governments are dragging their feet.
Can Agidius deliver a new state board? Newly installed State Board of Education President Paul Agidius of Moscow says he wants to be engaged with the state's institutions of higher learning without micromanaging them.
Otter’s insistence on openness a good start If Idaho Gov. Butch Otter isn’t careful he’ll have to forfeit his membership in the brotherhood of public officials.
He wandered onto shaky ground this week when he spoke forcefully against a suggestion that certain public land deals in Idaho be conducted less openly. What was he thinking?
Ex-Vandal Chuck Kozak takes on Sen Harry Reid, D-Nev. A Reno lawyer who played a bruising style of basketball at the University of Idaho is the first Republican in the race to deny Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a fifth term.
Vaccination funding warrants top priority A state budget cut has made vaccinations more expensive for families - and has made it more costly and cumbersome for health care providers to offer immunizations.
Idaho offers a blueprint for finding realistic solutions In reforming health care, the federal government could take a lead from what is happening here in Idaho. Gov. Butch Otter and his team have done an outstanding job in assessing the underlying problems and seeking resolutions.
Cheers and Jeers Mentioned this week: Blake Hall, Sen. Dean Cameron, etc.
Middle school is make-or-break time For years, public schools have been under pressure to pass seventh- and eighth-graders, regardless of their academic record. The State Board of Education last month approved a plan to ensure that middle school students pass 80 percent of their courses before moving to the next grade level.
Speaker takes right tack on financial disclosure How much money do you make?
That can be a very sensitive question, which can provoke a wide range of responses. Just ask city of Nampa employees, some of whom reacted rather negatively when the Idaho Freedom Foundation gathered names, positions and salaries of city employees to post online.
Filling the state's toughest job Pam Lowe has been fired, a search for a new Transportation Department director is under way, and odds makers are wondering less about who will get the job than how long they might last.
Richert: Let the facts do the talking on mercury Perhaps you missed it, but Gov. Butch Otter really doesn't want 17,000 tons of mercury stored in Idaho.
And the outspoken Otter is fighting the delivery of this toxic metal with language that is, well, a little bit toxic.
Is Otter's outrage over mercury selective? Gov. Butch Otter is indignant that the feds might store 17,000 tons of mercury at the Idaho National Laboratory.
So why isn't Otter equally concerned about the 500 pounds of mercury Idaho industry spreads into this state's air, water and fish every year?
Some good news about Idaho’s economy Idaho's economy is recovering. Businesses are growing. Jobs are being created.
Catching up with Idaho's former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne Forgive former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne if he seems a bit sentimental these days.
Otter touts jobs created by federal stimulus Gov. Butch Otter has launched what he is calling a monthly update on the Idaho economy.
Our View: Caution: ITD has bumpy road ahead The firing of Idaho Transportation Department chief Pam Lowe was about as smooth as a pothole-pockmarked patch of highway.
Idaho needs to lower its hurdle for school bonds Idaho has often been called the toughest state in which to build a new school, and with good reason. The Legislature refuses to provide direct construction funding and the state has erected a two-thirds supermajority hurdle for districts attempting to pass local school bonds.
Otter's right: Public land transfers need transparency They're your lands, and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter thinks you're entitled to see what the state does with them. A committee of real estate professionals, asked to review how Idaho could update its rules for transfers of state endowment lands to match "modern business practices," on Tuesday recommended scrapping the requirement for public auction of endowment lands and exempt transactions from the Idaho Public Records Act.
Get it all on the table Idaho's budget is a mess. Revenues are down. Public schools are making do with less. Universities are cutting programs and increasing tuition. Money to purchase vaccinations for some children is no longer available. The mentally ill are getting less help.
Our View: Idaho needs a dependable transmission system Last week, Gov. Butch Otter and other Idaho officials celebrated a win - or at least a reprieve. The federal Bureau of Land Management agreed to slow down its siting plan for a 1,150-mile power line.
The latest on open government in Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has updated Idaho's open meetings and public records manuals. Both are available on Wasden's website.
Memo to Legislature: Let next ITD director do their job The handwriting was on the wall for at least half of Pam Lowe's two-year tenure as director of the Idaho Transportation Department. But as Lowe was cashiered last Thursday by the Idaho Transportation Board, it's impossible not to consider what a thankless job she had.
Creating a smart system The nation might turn to our neighbors to the south in order to find a health care model that works, writes Jerry Brady.
An empty threat The majority on the Bonneville County Republican Party Central Committee can't do a thing about President Barack Obama's foreign policy decisions.
So, impotent at the federal and state levels, these folks set their sights on local races.
Richert: Ullman reshaping image for gubernatorial race Idaho's gubernatorial race got a lot more colorful Tuesday, when Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman said she was jumping into the Republican primary.
New rules of the road? State Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, has made good use of the time he has spent commuting by bicycle.
Accepting health risks, along with the tips If you choose to frequent a bar where smoking is allowed, that's your business.
But pity the poor busboy, waiter or bartender. To earn a wage, they take the risks of inhaling secondhand smoke.
ITD board move proves point The Idaho Transportation Board's move this past week to fire Transportation Department Director Pam Lowe serves as proof that lawmakers made the right decision when they left the power in the hands of the board rather than the governor.
Idaho can profit from California's woes As bad as the budget cuts to Idaho higher education have been, it's far worse in other states.
Why not turn that comparative advantage into a competitive edge?
Time to lower 2/3 majority for schools Sixty percent majority is a more realistic requirement to pass bond votes now that election dates have been consolidated to four per year.
Finding the right mix As the federal government tackles the complex issue of health care, it might look to Idaho for ideas.
Cheers & Jeers: Pick up the phone, DOE JEERS to the U.S. Department of Energy for its poor communications skills. DOE officials didn't bother to tell Idaho's chief executive or the state's congressional delegation it is considering Idaho National Laboratory as a warehouse for the nation's mercury supply.
Our View: How not to palm off 17,000 tons of mercury Under federal law, exports of elemental mercury will be banned as of Jan. 1, 2013. The federal government will no longer be allowed to transfer its mercury stockpiles to private companies or state or local governments.
Great. Where does Idaho sign up to babysit 17,000 tons of this stuff?
Cheers & Jeers: Pick up the phone, DOE JEERS to the U.S. Department of Energy for its poor communications skills. DOE officials didn't bother to tell Idaho's chief executive or the state's congressional delegation it is considering Idaho National Laboratory as a warehouse for the nation's mercury supply.
Cheers & Jeers: Competition's all right - except for the big drug companies JEERS to U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, and Patty Murray, D-Wash. Last week, they were on the wrong side of a vote to stop the feds from interfering with individuals who import cheaper pharmaceuticals from Canada.
States, not feds, should regulate insurance The financial crisis gripping the country has many Idahoans on edge, and it may take months or years before true stability is restored. But just when you think you have heard everything, some of the country's largest financial institutions are actually suggesting that the answer to these problems is sweeping deregulation and a federal takeover of the insurance marketplace.
A defense of capitalism Socialism does not lead to enhanced freedom as Karin Lund wrote in the Post Register on Sunday, but it does lead to oppression, dependency and despair.
Plugging holes Sen. Mike Jorgensen, R-Hayden Lake, would compel Idaho businesses to verify a potential employee's immigration status before hiring him. Those who fail to do so would face the loss of their business licenses.
Teamwork 101 on radar New University of Idaho President M. Duane Nellis seems to be enjoying his honeymoon.
It will be a colorful gubernatorial race, but can Ullman be a factor? When it comes to political euphemisms, "colorful" is one of the most well-worn words in the bunch.
And Idaho's gubernatorial race got a lot more colorful Tuesday, when Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman said she was jumping into the Republican primary.
Idaho ends its run as the state of prisons A year ago, Idaho sent hundreds of its criminal offenders out of state.
Last week, the last of those inmates came home.
OUR VIEW: Childhood vaccinations should be the last to go The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare vaccinated the state's children for years against a number of diseases. The shots were free for every child regardless of ability to pay. The program was a good thing. This month, the state changed the program to exclude those children whose immunizations would be covered by their parents' insurance.
The policy change is not a good thing.
We shouldn't swap nuclear waste for mercury What does a really bad idea look like? It looks like the U.S. Department of Energy's proposal to store 17,000 tons of mercury at the Idaho National Laboratory.
Not every murder is a death penalty case Idaho has a lousy record on capital punishment. The last thing it needs is another death penalty case.
No more: We need to focus on $787 billion Before we discuss another economic stimulus bill, let's focus first on how we're spending the first $787 billion - including a billion or so dollars in Idaho.
The Idaho-Canada trade connection While Canada is not Idaho's number one export trading partner, it is interested in a greater diversity of Idaho products and so ties with our neighbor to the north should be nurtured.
Kemp takes a long shot from half-court Jana Kemp has left the Idaho Republican primary election behind. By declaring herself an independent candidate for governor, the former one-term Ada County legislator is betting many of her fellow Republicans will do the same.
Jon Jarvis is the right man to head up the National Park Service President Obama made a brilliant decision to nominate Jon Jarvis, a career official with the National Park Service, to head up that agency, and once Jarvis is confirmed, his first act should be to boot Suzanne Lewis, the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, out of her job.
Why did Idaho squander all that money Instead of the millions the taxpayers have given Micron, the steadily shrinking computer chip manufacturer, maybe the money would have been better spent on tax incentives to attract or home-grow smaller companies, firms that employ 50-100 people.
Education system needs change Former state senator Darrell Deide argues for alternatives to the public schools.
Olympia's sunshine is Boise's darkness West of the Idaho-Washington border, state officials and legislators are legally bound to disclose how and where they draw their incomes. Idaho - not so much.
Something has to give in Parma closure issue The University of Idaho's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has a $3.2 million budget gap, and the money has to be cut somewhere. If not the Parma Research and Extension Center, where?
Making part-timers pay more for insurance is misguided The state of Idaho has been in violation of its own administrative code (state law) for over a decade in paying substandard, non-competitive wages. Making part-time employees pay more for their health benefits will only compound the problem.
Public television is a bargain, and it enhances life in Idaho IdahoPTV General Manager Peter Morrill argues for continued state financial support of public television, stating, "There are few other state-funded programs that touch as many Idaho taxpayers each day as Idaho Public Television does."
The wrong way to handle a tough H.R. issue Part-time state employees should pay more for their health insurance, but raising premiums without consulting legislators first sends the wrong message to legislators and state employees alike.
If not Parma, where can ag research be cut? Postponing a decision on closing the Parma Research and Extension center begs the question: Where will Gov. Otter and UI President Nellis find the $3.2 million state lawmakers sliced from Agricultural Research and Extension's budget?
A slice of history A meeting Thursday between J. Robb Brady and Cecil Andrus was something to see.
Idaho House speaker says he won't block a financial disclosure bill Having single-handedly killed a financial disclosure bill earlier this year, House Speaker Lawerence Denney says he will not stand in the way next time.
Budget realities hit U of I research lab in Parma Idaho has to fundamentally rethink how it provides ag research - and who pays for the services. The controversy surrounding the Parma lab should provide the impetus for that sort of unflinching review.
Cheers and Jeers: Crawling through Stevenson's loophole JEERS to Rep. Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert. He's laying claim to a loophole in Idaho's public records law and crawling right through it.
U of I president: Businesses will have to pony up for higher ed Businesses benefit from the University of Idaho's research and academic programs, and they should be willing to help pay their share.
Is Luna calling the Legislature's bluff? Legislators said that election consolidation was about allowing more voters to vote, not harming the schools. If the state schools superintendent is rebuffed in his call to lower the supermajority required to pass school bonds, we'll learn that wasn't the case.
State, local officials make name for Idaho, themselves Idaho doesn't always get the respect it deserves from its fellow Americans who live in more coastal, metropolitan areas. But some Idaho officials are earning national recognition.
Jana Kemp's independent governor's campaign: a statement on the direction of the Idaho GOP? Former GOP House member Jana Kemp's independent campaign for governor implies that the Republican Party is squeezing out moderates who take middle-of-the-road positions.
Luna's right: two-thirds bond hurdle is too high Idaho state school superintendent Tom Luna wants to give local districts a fighting chance to repair aging schools or build new schools. So he will try to persuade lawmakers to rewrite the section of the constitution that requires a two-thirds majority to pass a school bond issue.
Loophole in public records law needs to be closed Some government officials don't believe Idaho law restricts them from deleting e-mails they received concerning public business. The Legislature should craft a retention policy for both hard copy and e-mail.
Urge senators to oppose costly ‘cap and trade’ Gov. Butch Otter says the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives will only raise taxes and energy costs while eliminating jobs and slowing the economy.
It's time to do the right thing, and clear the air Canyon County officials have refused to make the difficult decision to establish an emissions program to help address ozone pollution.
The damage Idaho's going-home bills inflict Lawmakers' last-minute deal to transfer $21 million in fuel tax and registration fee revenues from the Idaho State Police and the Parks and Recreation Department to the Transportation Department will provide only a pittance for road repairs, but its loss could cause major harm to public safety and park trails maintenance.
NREPA sponsors must not let lack of local support stop them U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney of New York and Raul Grijalva of Arizona have again submitted a bill to protect a large swath of the Northern Rockies as wilderness, legislation that has been around in some form or another since 1991, and while the bill doesn't have the support of lawmakers from the Northern Rockies region, its champions must not waver from their desire to protect intact ecosystems.
Idaho groundwater users need to get serious about compliance The Idaho Department of Water Resources has been working with Magic Valley groundwater users for two years to find a way for them to mitigate their water debt to senior water rights holders, but their inability to meet certain ground rules required by June 1 suggests that they're not serious about complying with the law.
Turning out the lights on the Religious Right Two decades is a long time to have been associated with a conservative political movement. It's also long enough to make an accurate analysis: the house that the Religious Right built is empty.
Mixing church, state and a charter school The Idaho Public Charter School Commission should discuss whether a charter school such as the Nampa Classical Academy is an appropriate place to blur the lines between secular and religious instruction - while using public dollars.
Lean Idaho budget pays off Idaho's state government has been hit by cuts, but day-to-day operations continue with no threat of a collapse some other states could face.
Otter plays for time with highway study Governor says his task force has until December 2010 to recommend how to pay for Idaho transportation needs. That puts the decision not only past next year's legislative session but Otter's re-election campaign as well.
Cheers and Jeers: Where is Labrador's plan to fix the budget? JEERS to lawmakers who say the state budget can be cut - without offering specifics; to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for cutting child immunization funds; to the farm lobby for adding pork to the climate change bill - then trying to kill it.
Dropping 'asset test' for food stamps is a good decision Having assets worth more than $2,000 doesn't guarantee a family's ability to put food on the table, especially during these lean economic times.
Idaho stays in basement over public disclosure Another year, another black eye for Idaho when it comes to a simple, commonplace requirement that lawmakers disclose general information about their finances so citizens can weigh possible conflicts of interest.
Headed in the wrong direction No state does a poorer job protecting children from diseases such as polio, mumps, measles and rotavirus than Idaho.
Idaho's street is far ahead of its Capitol For as long as anybody can remember, Idaho's county assessors have been trying to get their hands on the prices people actually paid for property.
We're in trouble if JFAC process falls apart Idaho's budget, and the legislative process generally, fall apart when House or Senate leaders don't trust the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to handle the budget-making process in its usual professional manner.
Middle ground on grazing debate turns ranchers into rangers Ranchers that run their livestock on public lands and environmental groups that would like to see an end to grazing on public ground have been at loggerheads for years, a battle in which some on both sides of the issue are unwilling to give ground, but a compromise that pays ranchers to become rangers to patrol the land and do water and land restoration projects seems like a win-win situation.
Western Caucus should boost bipartisan membership There's a place for the newly formed Western Caucus in the U.S. Senate, but the thus-far Republican-only group should reach across the aisle to other western lawmakers like Montana U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus and New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman and should refocus its mission from an opposition agenda to a proactive list of things it wants to accomplish.
Spend taxes on trails, too Recreationists in Idaho have a valid beef with lawmakers, who in their desperation to give Gov. Butch Otter money for transportation projects, lifted $4.7 million from the fund used for hiking and snowmobile trails, boat docks and other outdoor-recreation amenities; the legislative task force that begins work next week to replace the share of gas tax funds for parks and recreation diverted to roads must find a way to restore the funding.
Colorado should stick to its guns on roadless plan Colorado is one of two states that have developed a plan for its federal roadless areas, and state officials should press to get the one created by local stakeholders implemented rather than wait for the Obama administration to roll out its own.
Are the feds to blame for all these glitches? With legislators scrambling to move money in and out of different accounts this last session to balance the budget, some stipulations on federal stimulus dollars got overlooked. Idaho's colleges and universities may be the ultimate losers.
Idaho has much to do to promote clean energy Idaho's ranking as having the fastest-growing clean-energy sector in the nation is amazing, given its incidental approach to public policy on growing renewable energy, and if the state wants to keep a stake in this emerging economic sector, its leaders must do more.
Suicide hot line benefits outweigh costs The benefits of a statewide suicide hotline outweigh the costs, and Idaho needs a publicly funded hotline for Idahoans in need.
Yes, but how will this play in Rupert? State agencies got their budgets cut - a lot - but some are still spending extravagantly.
You can't pull wool over the eyes of science Had the 2009 Idaho Legislature had University of Idaho research results from 1994 in hand that clearly provided a link from the pneumonia that killed a wild bighorn sheep to the domestic sheep the ram had contact with, perhaps they would not have passed a law that requires the state wildlife agency to come up with a plan to relocate or kill bighorn sheep that wander on to domestic sheep grazing allotments on federal lands.
This year's budget-cutting was only a prelude Idaho's general fund responsible for basic state expenses - schools, colleges, public employees, prisons, social services - is shriveling under stress of a recession. Idaho should repeal some of its tax exemptions to increase revenue.
Plan to raid parks fund a poor fix for Idaho roads This year, the Idaho Legislature took funds from the state Parks and Recreation Department to help pay for roads. This summer a special legislative task force will look at ways it might replace the revenue lost, but they should just reinstate it and take another look at the raising the gas tax.
NREPA Montana's best shot at wilderness Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg has it all wrong about the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, the bill that would protect 24 million acres in Montana, Idaho, northwestern Wyoming, eastern Oregon, and eastern Washington as wilderness: 96 percent of Montanans aren't against the bill; the lands protected under the act were federalized more than 100 years ago by President Teddy Roosevelt, and the first drafts of the bill were written by a Montanan, not a New Yorker. An op-ed by Paul Richards.
Stimulus jobs for legal workers In today's tough economy, hard-to-find jobs should first go to those legally entitled to hold them. The governor's recent executive order should help ensure that result.
Can we learn a lesson from California's primaries? U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill's pending primary case may force the legislators to rewrite primary rules next session, reshaping the way elections are run and won in this state.
Which Idaho highway would you close? The Idaho Legislature didn't allot enough money to repair all of Idaho's roads, and that could leave rural Idaho in a tough spot.
Idaho agencies can save cash by reducing redundancies Some political subdivisions in Idaho have reduced expenses by sharing space and eliminating redundancies for decades, and in recession-racked 2009, more should try to do the same.
New law does nothing to protect bighorns Domestic sheep ranchers and wildlife bighorn advocates should work together to preserve Idaho's western heritage as a state known for both its iconic wildlife species and its ranching operations.
A wistful glance across the Snake River Washington's tax system is based on spending rather than income which causes problems in a recession. Idaho, on the other hand, added a sales tax to Idaho's income and property taxes, equipping this state with a stable "three-legged stool."
Region should listen to Idaho senator on salmon, dam breaching U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo knows a lot about compromise and collaboration, and his acknowledgment last week that breaching - or not breaching - the dams on the lower Snake River must be part of the debate on saving wild salmon injects some common sense into the debate, and the other folks at the table should pay attention to the Idaho senator.
Fischer’s fanaticism is leaving Idaho Bryan Fischer, Idaho Values Alliance director, has announced he is moving to Mississippi to host a radio talk show. Jill Kuraitis says 'good riddance.'
Risch, Rey led the way on Idaho's roadless plan Former undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey came up with the idea that states should be given the opportunity to create their own plan for managing federal roadless forest lands; then-Idaho Gov. Jim Risch took that message to heart and came up with a plan for the state, a plan that now could lead the way for other states.
Who really has the slows: Obama or Otter? Gov. Butch Otter says the federal government took too long helping Idaho spend its share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but Otter didn't even decide to accept the money until March 7.
Legislators too often rely on unelected subs Legislators may appoint temporary replacements in case of illness or emergency, but at the end of the 2009 legislative session, seven members were replacements. Wayne Hoffman argues some legislators may be abusing the law.
Which state does Jim Fisher think has done it better? Norm Semanko, chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, responds to Jim Fisher's critique of the legislative session and argues that the Idaho legislature did less damage to the education system than Washington.
Remember Legislature’s positive steps Alex LaBeau and Jayson Ronk, president and vice president, respectively, of the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry, argue that positive steps were taken this year to enhance and protect the state's infrastructure.
Amendments took teeth out of bill but it's a good start Child care bill loses some of its bite, as the amendments to the bill removed continuing education requirements, continuous background checks, alter fees, and remove health and fire safety standards and inspections for small child-care providers.
Idaho's early triumph for stimulus legislation The stimulus funds saved Idaho from making much deeper cuts in education and other state services.
Not again, Rex Congressman Mike Simpson may have missed an opportunity to run against Rex Rammell, who has decided to run for governor. The Post Register's Editorial Board thinks that maybe it would be best if Rammell didn't run at all.
Republicans prove unable to meet Idahoans' basic needs Democratic minority leaders in the Idaho House and Senate, John Rusche and Kate Kelly, respectively, share their thoughts on the legislative session and the differences between Democratic and Republican perspectives.
If Rammell is a loon, what are legislators? Recently announcing his candidacy for Governor, Rex Rammell may not seem to have much of a chance. His platform, however, shares a lot of common objectives with the House Republicans.
Cheers & Jeers The Post Register has a few cheers and jeers to send out, including several to our state politicians.
Idaho Republicans are still battling in Boise The governor would probably find little disagreement from Democrats on the Pentico case, but Otter's fellow Republicans are another matter. Ada County Republican Central Committee attempted a resolution stating that Otter has violated Pentico's rights.
An unkind cut A few years ago, Rigby Republican JoAn Wood envisioned small, regional jails focused on treating addictions and mental illness to stop the revolving door in jails. However, recent budget cuts mandated by the Legislature threaten that innovation.
Just what Otter needs: more political trouble Gov. Otter may be losing ground as conservative republicans begin to lose faith in him; the Pentico situation is one more example of how that is happening. And there is more criticism from some legislators as GARVEE funding is mostly allocated to the Valley.
When does a license plate become an ad? On Monday, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a law creating four more specialty license plates, bringing the total to more than 70. Are our license plates becoming moving billboards?
Take it from Norm: It was a great session Jim Fisher interprets chairman of the state Republican Party, Norm Semanko's recent statements regarding the adjournment of the legislative session.
Local school boards would prefer to fix things themselves The Legislature anticipated that Idaho school districts would be declaring financial emergencies to ease the burden of the recession and reduction of state funding to public schools.
How ITD can get its mojo back The Idaho Transportation Department has lost credibility with Idahoans and the Legislature. It needs effective advocates in state government - people with the chops and credibility to speak knowledgeably and independently about roads. It also needs a good accountant who can produce accurate cost estimates.
Egos and asphalt Idahoans will endure layoffs, furloughs, even pay cuts because it is a time for sacrifice. They deserved better than having their legislators and governor engaged in an internecine conflict over egos and asphalt.
Not all legislative marathons are created equal Gov. Butch Otter and lawmakers should be embarrassed that this year's session has even approached the record length of legislative days. They simply didn't do enough to justify a 117-day stay in town, at a taxpayer cost of $3.51 million.
The most convenient voting is voting at home Idaho legislators aren't trying to make voting easier for Idahoans; attempts to permit Idahoans to fill out their ballots at home and mail them in have been killed. The reason Rep. Loertscher gave: voting by mail would make voting too easy.
What do we have to show for this legislative session? The Idaho Statesman's editorial board lists the top ten best successes and worst failures of the legislative session.
Idaho GOP post-session query: Butch who? Butch Otter emerges from the worst session of the Idaho Legislature in decades as governor, but not leader of his party. All that remained was to declare Otter, the former libertarian who once would have been among the tax-fighting rebels, a RINO, or Republican in name only; the term they use to disparage party members who might win general elections.
A look back at the legislative session that was … with poetry Betsy Russell gives a poetic twist to wrap up of the Idaho Legislative session.
2009 legislature wasn’t pretty Lawmakers need to set aside contentiousness even when they have differing opinions.
The one veto that sticks Obscured in the turmoil of 35 vetoed bills was one good bill that Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter's honestly rejected. It was a measure to shore up Idaho's fledgling Parents as Teachers program.
Have lawmakers found the road (deal) home? The new transportation funding "deal," unveiled Wednesday afternoon, may bring the 2009 legislative session to a close. Also, speculation on how this session may affect upcoming elections.
No end to arrogance from Speaker Denney House Speaker Lawerence Denney single-handedly kills public disclosure legislation passed by a unanimous Senate.
Obama needs to act to protect roadless areas There are three things President Obama can do immediately to end the threat of development on the remaining roadless areas of our national forest lands: he or Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack must issue a mandate that no decisions inconsistent with the roadless rule can be made; he must remove holdover U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell from her post; and then he must put the power of the presidency behind legislation to codify the roadless rule into law.
Like it or not, this should be a slow process The whole point of having the House and the Senate is for both to work separately and simultaneously, but not necessarily swiftly. This is what makes the system function, and sometimes, it also makes the system dysfunctional.
Where's your invasive species sticker, bud? New legislation recently passed to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from contaminating Idaho waters was anything but well-thought-out.
Idaho has plenty of money for roads already According to a misinformed media, the Department of Transportation is under-funded, but the reality is that IDT has more than enough funds.
Thinking from the gut in Idaho's heartland Federal taxing and spending is no different from state taxing and spending: the federal government imposes certain demands and restrictions on the states, just as the state does on local governments throughout Idaho.
Idahoans don't care if Senate, House dislike each other The increasingly shrill personality conflicts between Senate and House Republican leaders are complicating final adjournment of the first session of the 60th Legislature and hurting the people of Idaho.
Muddled in Midvale Governor Otter ran into a buzz saw of anti-government sentiment last week in Midvale. Funny how rural Idaho's resentment of Washington, D.C., doesn't extend to federal subsidy checks.
Stick 'em up What would you call taking government money and doing nothing in return? One writer calls it welfare. And it's going to the members of Idaho's House of Representatives, who left the Capitol for five days without having completed their legislative business.
Lawmakers conceal history, disregard state constitution Whether or not the three-readings provision of the Idaho Constitution is archaic is a matter of debate, but the provision itself is not. It exists. And it should be honored in practice, not just principle.
Idaho has an Equal Pay Day, not equal pay A resolution just approved by the Legislature could bring welcome attention to the issue of pay disparity between men and women in Idaho.
Idaho in need of road projects Governor's willingness to put off gas-tax increase shows compromise; now the House needs to respond cooperatively.
Maintaining roads is about protecting lives Governor Butch Otter writes an appeal to Idahoans to contact their lawmakers to ask them to support funding for Idaho's roads.
Cheers and Jeers Cheers for a day-care licensing bill and for the governor's veto of a bill authorizing the killing of bighorn sheep. Jeers for a proposal to repeal a teacher early-retirement incentive program and an attempt by some lawmakers to cite the passage of legislative memorials as session accomplishments.
House gets into a big rush to do nothing The House's proposal to convene another interim committee doesn't just insult the intelligence of voters - who know full well that their legislators have already talked plenty and delayed plenty on road repairs. It's an insult to Gov. Butch Otter, who traveled the state with his staff last summer to explain the looming problems facing Idaho highways.
Kiddies in House stick out tongues, go home After their vote to adjourn, House Republicans closed their doors, left a scrawled note saying "See ya later" on the Senate's door and skipped town.
Idaho's warped political class Need proof that Idaho's Legislature is lacking in statesmanship? Look for the rainy day account that held the schools harmless or the courageous vote that raised gas taxes to maintain Idaho highways. Neither occurred in Boise.
Negligence in Boise Not only are we spending $30,000 a day as Governor Otter and the Legislature dawdle, real damage is being done. State agencies, including public schools, are unable to set their budgets because they're tied up in vetoes.
Coffee flap does little to perk up Otter's image Governor Otter has a run-in with a local coffee merchant; someone tweets about legislators at a retreat in Sun Valley; and one of the 36 bills vetoed this week actually deserved it.
U.S. needs another wilderness option In order to designate more areas of the nation's undeveloped lands, mountain bikers and wilderness groups should work together to find an option that provides the same level of protection to lands as a wilderness designation but allows non-motorized use, and after those groups agree to cooperate, the new "wilderness lite" protection level needs a name and a branding campaign. Second of a two-part series.
Is there a Dick Smith in Governor Otter's future? By dragging out the already 107-day legislative session, Governor Otter's differences with more than a few conservatives in the House have turned personal.
So will one of them challenge the governor in the Republican primary election next spring?
So much for gratitude There are a few lawmakers who owe Governor Otter, but they're not voting with him on money to improve roads. If a governor can't win over the half-dozen lawmakers who owe him something, how does he persuade the 99 legislators who don't?
Spread pain to teachers, and Nonini's happy Rep. Bob Nonini's reasons for opposing the financial incentive for public school teachers to retire early reflect resentment toward teachers and ignorance of long-term budget consequences.
What did Idaho taxpayers do to deserve this? The circus under the big top of the Capitol Annex keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. Republicans in the House of Representatives declared Monday that they planned to go home today. Awkward, in that the Legislature hasn't actually passed a budget yet.
Idaho House is out of touch with reality House leadership is keeping this Legislature in session to the tune of $30,000 per day over a slight increase in taxes that will be long forgotten within a few years.
A dozen reasons not to give up hope Here are 12 reasons why the current legislative session hasn't all been a disaster.
Otter's 'Janet Hay moment' Governor Otter should appoint someone to the State Board of Education who regards education as an investment, not an expense. Preferably a female, but Otter should pick someone with vision who can fix our schools.
It's high time we bridged the gender gap on wages Idaho has a long way to go to be certain that women achieve pay equity, but the awareness fostered by Equal Pay Day is a great start.
Detouring taxes to roads is a bad idea House Republicans are trying to sell a plan that wouldn't raise new money for roads. It would instead intensify the zero-sum competition over the same old general fund dollars.
Stalemate proves worth of a deliberative process The standoff between Gov. Butch Otter and the Idaho House of Representatives should be respected more than resented. Lawmakers fought valiantly to try to preserve liberty by resisting a tax increase, and that is worth sticking around for.
Let's not make road funds a test of political wills House GOP leaders say it's time to go home: there's already a record amount of financing available for highways, and votes for a fuel tax increase are simply not there.
Yes, something worse than crumbling roads The House's proposal to tap the general fund for highway maintenance money is a threat to every other recipient of general fund money, from prisons to parks to schools.
Otter’s vetoes tough, but road problem merits them Lawmakers need to make tough decision to address transportation deficiencies this year and worry about their re-elections next year.
Crud on a stick Here's the House Republican leadership solution to fixing Idaho's potholed highways: Take the money from the state's anemic schools, the same schools that will lose $109 million in state support next year.
Less stealth, more openness is prudent There's plenty of controversy over the proposal to ban parking on the north side of the capitol on State Street.
It's a draw in Boise, but not between winners Who will win the standoff between Gov. Butch Otter and the Idaho House's Republican majority over maintenance of state roads? Neither.
Whatever happened to compromise in the Idaho House? The vital center - that convergence zone of conservatism and liberalism where actual progress happens in representative democracies - is far too thin this first session of the 60th Idaho Legislature, especially in the House of Representatives.
There's a reason why Otter is losing the road fight Governor Otter is expecting politicians to fend off a faraway transportation crisis, when they are surrounded by the crises of the moment. It's never an easy sell.
The strife over tax hikes for roads is no longer worth it Given that the range of best outcomes in the debate over transportation funding is between a small tax increase and no tax increase, it's not worth the $30,000 per day it costs to debate the issue further.
Don't believe media's slant on legislative session Media reports suggest the legislative session has been a do-nothing failure. Three Magic Valley legislators argue otherwise.
That's all, folks Governor Otter seems prepared to wage World War I style trench warfare. By vetoing appropriations, Otter is holding state government hostage until he gets his way with transportation funding.
It's the 2009 Idaho Legislature staycation! It's time for a little reverse psychology: the Legislature should stick around all summer. Just think of the fun lawmakers would have.
Idaho will pay for its boom-time hubris When the Idaho Legislature unanimously passed legislation in 2005 that kept unemployment tax rates artificially low, the state's economy was booming and lawmakers, business and labor groups all bought into the concept that the state was recession proof, a costly conceit now that the state's unemployment fund will reportedly run dry early next year.
Sometimes less is more Maybe the Legislature should meet biennially because we simply are not getting our money's worth. It's time to cut our losses.
Going home? Or still going nowhere? We'd feel better about Monday's political theater- Gov. Otter's vetoes - if it had come weeks ago, and if it actually brought the 2009 Legislature closer to a final curtain.
Butch Otter fights to save roads - and face Could anyone who has known Gov. Otter during his long career in Idaho politics expect him to walk away with empty hands and an empty reputation?
This is no way to run state government As the governor starts his bout of vetoes, it's an insult to Idaho's taxpayers that Otter and lawmakers are now playing one-upmanship at a taxpayer cost of $30,000 a day.
Statehouse debate not simple Some view House opposition to Otter's proposals as personal battle, but deeper examination shows differences of opinion.
False testimony - and from a legislator yet Do Idaho legislators want to pass that law making it a felony to give misleading testimony to a governmental agency? It appears Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Idaho Falls, when arguing to shield employers who let their workers keep guns in cars on company parking lots, mistakenly did so.
Why are they still here? There are probably 98 reasons for this 98-day (and counting) legislative session, which has cost Idaho taxpayers nearly $3 million.
Turnabout: A gun in the car is safety issue What bill HB 287 does is very simple: An employer who has a policy allowing employees to store their guns in their cars or who doesn't have any policy one way or another is protected from potential liability. If employers do not have to worry about getting sued, then they do not have any reason to keep their employees from exercising their constitutional rights.
Free market? Not for selling booze in Idaho With the House's overwhelming vote to kill the liquor license bill Gov. Butch Otter sought and the Senate passed, a majority of House members revealed they are all for government control, as long as it's controlling what they want controlled.
Cheers and Jeers Jeers to the House for voting against the liquor license reform bill, House Speaker Lawerence Denney for holding the ethics bill hostage, and Rep. Jeff Thompson for the gun liability shield proposal. Cheers for the collaboration that led to the Eastern Snake Plain Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan.
Who knew the Legislature could be such fun? Senators engage in creative civics as they attempt to pass bills for highway funding and end the legislative session.
Deficit protests or political grandstanding? Individually, many Boise Tea Party protesters probably hold deep-seated worries about the budget deficit. We share that worry. But the tea parties have the unescapable feel of partisan showboating.
Otter ensures equality for all (straight folk) The Idaho Senate confirmed Gov. Butch Otter's reappointment of commissioner Ruthie Johnson of Hayden Lake whose qualifications for the post appear to be her longtime Republican activism, not her commitment to equal treatment for all.
Legislature 2009: The session that would not die The House, Senate, and Governor are having a hard time agreeing on road funding, personnel costs or liquor-law reforms, delaying the end of the session. It's time for all parties to stop grandstanding and start compromising.
It's Take-Your-Gun-to-Work Day in Idaho House members spent some of their $30,000 day - that's what each one costs whether anything worthwhile gets done or not - debating and passing legislation encouraging employers to let workers take their guns to work, at least to the employee parking lot in their cars.
Lawmakers squander your money on junk legislation Lawmakers are allowing the workaday business of taxes and roads and education get sidetracked by showboats hoping to out-Limbaugh Limbaugh. Frivolous laws are being passed.
Proposed changes in liquor licensing law unfair The president of Rock Creek Restaurant, a Twin Falls business, writes about the potential impacts of the proposed legislation to reform liquor licenses in Idaho.
House vote puts road work on track Despite voting against the 2 cent tax increase, Idaho House members made a smart decision by voting for $82 million in GARVEE funds to help with road projects.
Turnabout: Showing photo ID a small price for fraud-free voting Sen. Bob Geddes and Rep. Lawerence Denney argue in favor of their new bill requiring photo identification when registering to vote.
No help to people, Democrats choose potholes Democrats let Idahoans down when they opposed the 2 cent tax increase to fund road maintenance.
Federal wolf decision will play into the myth of the West Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's plan to delist wolves in Idaho and Montana, while keeping them under federal protection in Wyoming, will allow wolves to once again be hunted to extinction.
Pharmacists shouldn't interfere with doctor-patient decisions Denying patients the right to medical care prescribed by their own physician should not be tolerated. A pharmacist who does this is interfering with the doctor-patient relationship to further their own personal agenda.
Public Lands Act has something for everyone The passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act that designated more than 2 million more acres of federal lands as wilderness and more than 1,000 miles of waterways as wild and scenic, and expanded the national parks and conservation systems among 166 or so other things, was a bipartisan effort that evoked the 1970s, when Republican and Democratic lawmakers worked together to pass sweeping environmental measures.
Lawmakers' do-nothing stance gets old The Idaho House's vote against the gas tax bill was irresponsible, another milestone on Idaho's road to ruined roads.
Idahoans deserve the ability to make decisions locally It is often said that the government which governs best is that which is closest to the people. The government which is closest to the people is local government. Yet Idaho has steadfastly failed to give its communities the right to make local decisions through local option taxes.
Is a junk law any better than junk science? The Idaho House voted yes on a bill criminalizing the importation of "dangerous or vicious" animals as well as the delivery of false testimony to government boards. Is this an anti-wolf outburst masquerading as legislation?
You better get used to those highway potholes While the House rejected the fuel tax increase, JFAC voted to spend all the transportation stimulus money on highway districts. That leaves primary roads with no maintenance funding.
Maybe third time's a charm for Montana wolf management Last week's announcement that the federal government was removing wolves in Montana and Idaho from the federal endangered species list was the third time it has attempted to do so, and it's time wolf management got out of the courtroom and onto the ground where state officials - at least in Montana - are ready and capable of handling the task.
FLAME Act doesn't address root of rising wildfire costs The U.S. House recently passed the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act which would create a specific fund for fighting catastrophic wildfires, but the federal legislation does little to address the underlying cause for escalating costs of fighting wildfires: development in the wildland-urban interface. A guest column by Ray Rasker Ph.D., Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. (Headwaters Economics has no relation to Headwaters News)
Idahoans have data access Idaho's state controller, Donna Jones, argues that the state's financial data should go online in order to increase public oversight, but economic realities make delaying the project prudent.
Day-care bill isn't perfect but it's moving in right direction The day-care bill has passed the Senate and a House committee with amendments. If the bill passes the House floor, it will be the product of an unlikely and noteworthy coalition.
Imagine state forbidding left-handers to wed Despite what opponents of gay marriage say, jurists and legislators are not activist ideologues who are ignoring the will of the American people. "For the rising generation of Americans, being gay is like being left-handed," Conservative columnist George Will said. "It's boring."
Idaho’s lack of disclosure sends wrong message A bill requiring legislators to disclose income sources and their spouses and list their major assets passed the Senate but is stuck in the House.
An online database would save tax dollars In the interest of transparency and accountability, Rep. Phil Hart introduced a bill to put the state budget online. The bill was killed in the House on a tie 32-32 vote, but it should revisited.
Look who now wants to require photo IDs Rep. Lawerence Denney and Sen. Bob Geddes introduced a bill which does away with voter registration by mail and requires photo ID to register rather late in the legislative session, with the effect of making it harder for Idahoans to register to vote.
Local schools need flexibility As lawmakers address cuts to the education budget, they need to ensure that locally-elected school boards have the flexibility to make critical decisions on teacher pay and other district expenses.
Water deal paves way for long-term solution The state and for Idaho Power have reached a settlement, but the agreement isn't a done deal. The 2009 Legislature must approve three bills to put the settlement into state law.
Otter shows legislators his backhand, again Gov. Otter seems to lack the art of persuasion as he attempts to get his fuel tax passed.
Salary-cut plan hampers agency chiefs An across-the-board salary cut is bad policy, and a lazy way to handle a necessary reduction of the public payroll. Agency heads should have the latitude and flexibility to do their jobs.
Governor: I’ve never advocated across-the-board pay cuts Gov. Butch Otter dispels the notion that he advocated for across-the-board pay cuts, stating that state employee pay should be set the same as it is in the private sector, according to merit, and managers should be allowed to manage.
See nitwits on parade in the Idaho Senate The Senate State Affairs Committee passed two contradictory memorial resolutions: one declared that the federal government encroaches on the sovereignty of Idaho by enticing the state with federal funds; the other requested federal funds for a medical school program.
Four-day school weeks don't make sense everywhere Faced with a 20 percent reduction in funding, the Gooding School District in Idaho is going to a four-day school week, but there are better options for Idaho's schools that could save more money in the long run, including a midwinter break, reintroducing the two-week "spud harvest" break in September and October, and contracting some services, such as transportation, on a county, rather than district, basis.
Liquor bill is stronger than the critics suggest Despite what the PTA argues, a new Idaho liquor bill imposes clear penalties on and financial incentives for business owners not to serve or distribute alcohol to minors.
Next, the Great Nonini will manage wolves Rep. Bob Nonini argued against raising the state gas tax, saying it would be "throwing good money after bad" in the hands of the state Transportation department.
It's about time outdoor groups team up on roadless issue The Outdoor Industry Association, the Outdoor Alliance and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership have joined together to press U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to put any development of the nation's roadless areas on hold until permanent management rules for those areas can be crafted; now that those groups have solidified their considerable political muscle, they should take the lead on the debate on just what those roadless-area management policies should look like.
Wood's big idea: Clarity and flexibility on municipal debt Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant exceptions for political subdivisions to enter long-term debt and give Idaho cities flexibility in funding projects or signing contracts.
Out of touch If the House Health and Welfare Committee were in touch with its constituents, they would have passed the daycare bill. Many Idaho cities have already have similar laws in place, but this is a statewide issues.
If road funding is killed again, we all lose It's unusual for a Republican governor to spend so much political capital and get so little for his efforts, even with an overwhelmingly Republican Legislature, but so it goes with Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in his quest to increase fuel taxes to fund road repairs; however, the stalemate just increases the problems all Idahoans deal with on a daily basis - as well as the cost of fixing Idaho's roads and bridges.
Here comes the bake-sale culture in Idaho schools The state may see an increase in fundraisers at schools to make up for the budget cuts, but the concern is that parents and teachers may continuously be asked to cover costs that are traditionally the state's responsibility.
Trimming the sails of payday lenders Idaho is the Wild West as far as payday lenders are concerned. Now the Legislature is taking some small steps to reign in the payday-loan cowboys, who cater to mostly low-income customers who can least afford high fees and triple-digit interest rates.
Lawmakers: Don’t hurt our children Writer urges state officials and legislators to use the rainy day funds and federal stimulus money to prevent drastic cuts to next year's education budget.
Lawmakers take small step toward local control Idaho senators supported a bill to end the antiquated liquor license quota system in Idaho, giving more control to local authorities to distribute new liquor licenses. Also: local-option sales taxes, education cuts, and Larry Craig's public lands legacy.
Cut alcohol control revisions Provisions in a new liquor licensing bill designed to encourage employers to provide training to employees who dispense alcohol would have the unintended consequence of weakening the state's laws on alcohol sales to minors.
Injured child no reason to regulate day care What will it take to get state regulation of small day-care centers through the Idaho House of Representatives? Probably, a different Idaho House of Representatives.
Idaho needs road taxes now You can raise fuel taxes now - and pay for decent roads, mass transit and bike paths - or wait until inflation kicks up the price and pay a lot more later, argues Louise Wagenknecht.
Legislators just can't make voting easy A Senate committee has scuttled yet another attempt to consolidate Idaho's byzantine elections.
Otter should keep his veto stamp in the drawer There's a showdown between the governor and the Legislature in the wind. Let's hope cooler heads prevail, because the state can't afford a Kempthorne April this year.
Bill needed to open tech doors From the turmoil of a long winter and difficult recession springs some of the best education and economic news we could imagine - a bill that would enable a public vote on a proposal to build a top notch professional-technical high school on the Rathdrum Prairie.
Otter's road back To reverse the stunning defeat of his signature transportation funding program in the Legislature, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter must gain control of two crucial elements he now lacks: The facts. And the politics.
Cutting state salaries is a businesslike decision Not all pay cuts are mean-spirited; sometimes they're just a sign of hard times, argues Kevin Richert. Also: a compromise bill that would help ensure that government agencies do their work in public view.
Changes are needed in Idaho's urban renewal law Urban renewal agencies (URAs) are a result of a 1967 law which needs to be updated. Rep. Phil Hart has written HB244 in order to hold URAs more accountable and to help ensure community buy-in, writes Mary Souza.
A step toward sanity in Idaho liquor licensing The new liquor license bill is hardly perfect, but the alternative of doing nothing is worse. The bill is a move in the right direction towards a free market.
ITD board should still hire, fire director Idaho lawmakers may have a compelling case to remove the current Transportation department director. But changing the law to let a governor do that at his or her whim seems like too much power for the executive. Leave the checks and balances as they are.
Feds should help stations back on the air Unrealistic FCC deadlines and state budget woes could hamper IdahoPTV's efforts to fill gaps in its digital television signal.
Legislature plays games with Idaho ed money Legislature proposes to reduce reimbursement for school district transportation costs from 85% to 50%, then send the 35% difference back to districts in the form of grants as an incentive to local school officials to keep transportation costs down.
Is this any time to raise taxes? Rep. JoAn Wood lays out the problems with the transportation budget and proposed tax increases, and wants to know what "Mr. and Mrs. Idaho" think about it.
Idaho's safe-water woes Communities across Idaho are facing serious water contamination and, consequently, health problems; some help is on the way for water and wastewater systems, but septic tanks remain a major threat.
A vote of no confidence? ITD earned it The $11 million math error made by the Idaho Transportation Department may have given Sen. John McGee's bill to have the governor appoint the ITD director the boost it needed.
War on mussels "House Bill 213 may give Idaho's lakes and rivers a fighting chance," says John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League.
At issue: pharmacist conscience bill The Idaho Press-Tribune weighs in on the pharmacists conscience bill with their take on the pros and cons of this issue.
Stimulus cash should be used to cut taxes Wayne Hoffman argues that tax cuts and Idahoans spending their money the way they see fit would do more to grow the economy and create jobs than the government-picked projects that are slated for our state.
Slow road to transportation planning is best Legislation giving Idaho's governor the power to hire the state's transportation director is a bad idea because it would inhibit sustained long-range planning by making transportation decisions subject to political whim.
Fewer dollars, fewer options: Time for a moratorium on charter schools The last thing the state needs in the year ahead - or in the years beyond - is to spread those meager resources even further including new charter schools.
Senate vote puts 1 Idaho wilderness bill in line for approval With a 77-20 vote Thursday, the U.S. Senate approved a massive public-lands bill - which is now an amendment to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act - back to the House for a simple majority vote; if it passes, Idaho will have its first new wilderness in more than two decades, but the state's other wilderness bill, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, may be hobbled by the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act.
Want safe child care? You're on your own A bill to regulate child care centers has passed the Senate, but it may get a far less friendly reception the House.
Let the sun shine in on URA deliberations A House bill to hold urban renewal agencies more accountable is a starting point for a long-neglected discussion for shining light on the shadowy deliberations of urban renewal authorities.
Cut Idaho's personal, corporate income taxes Political sages keep telling us supply-side economics is dead. They say the "trickle-down" theory, which can stimulate the economy by putting money into the hands of people, is dated. Not true, argue two House GOP members.
Bill would strengthen meetings regulation A bill working its way through the Idaho Legislature would strengthen and revise the state's open meeting law.
Repairs on Idaho's crumbling roads can wait no longer The fact that the backlog in deferred maintenance on Idaho's highways is growing by at least $240 million a year, and that the Legislature didn't approve a dime of new funding last year means legislators should should swallow hard and say yes to gasoline tax and registration fee increases.
What would Stalin do? Build a Reaganomics gulag in Star In a made-for-TV moment, two senior Idaho House members recently came up with a way to take the nation's developing new economics, put them in a time machine with a meager $44.8 million, and send them back to 1981.
Open government isn't just about the media The Senate State Affairs Committee advances the cause of open government by introducing a bill to require elected officials to file financial disclosure reports, and approving a bill to put some teeth into the Open Meeting Law.
Legislature should cut the strings attached to funding Former state superintendent of public instruction Marilyn Howard argues for a return to local control, pausing or stopping expensive programs, and eliminating special initiatives until the state gets its financial house back in order.
Don't believe the misinformation on needed child-care bill Last week, the Senate passed by a 30-5 vote Senate Bill 1112, a proposal to change Idaho's outdated and inadequate child-care statute. However, there are some misperceptions about what the law will do.
Otter's road compromise is a good start While the governor's proposed compromise doesn't raise all the money he originally wanted for road projects, the three-year, $105.3 million plan would make a good start on Idaho's road repair backlog.
Energy savings benefit kids, education A bipartisan and inventive bill giving school districts financial incentive for using green building designs may be the most forward-thinking education bill that comes out of this budget-cutting 2009 Legislature.
Zero-to-60 time at the Legislature Gov. Butch Otter's transportation "compromise" bills were sent to the House floor this morning, without committee recommendation.
Why you need to know where the money's coming from The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Idaho Senate introduced legislation Monday that would require personal financial disclosure of statewide elected officials, legislators and candidates.
Richert: Idaho needs to improve online access to records Homework assignment: look for 20 public documents on Idaho's Web site, everything from comparable school test scores to a searchable database of state purchases. Reporter Kevin Richert was able to find 8 out of 20.
Licensing won't make day cares safe Idaho parents will get only one result out of tougher day-care laws: more expensive child care with all the same risks parents faced before. Children won't necessarily be safer.
Separating fact from fiction on federal stimulus money Gov. Butch Otter separates fact from fiction and clears up some misconceptions about his plan for using the federal stimulus money.
Ending 'stealth' elections Consolidating the dates when Idaho governments conduct elections would improve voter turnout.
A zero-sum Otter chooses roads over schools If economic hard times lead some employees of Idaho businesses to jump out of windows in Boise's high-rise buildings, will Butch Otter insist that some government workers do the same? That seems to be the logic behind Gov. Otter's insistence that the state's public schools share in the privation being felt outside government.
In a crisis, Otter's lack of vision is alarming Governor proposes to cut 5 percent from the schools' budget for teachers and staff instead of using either federal stimulus funds or money from the state's rainy-day fund to close the budget gap.
States have strong message to send about their sovereignty True, joint memorials are non-binding. But sometimes it is useful to pass along the legislature's feelings about an issue to the Idaho congressional delegation, Congress and the president, argues Rep. Dick Harwood.
Try breaking this law and, well, never mind Idaho state Rep. Jim Clark says his legislation prohibiting repeat drunken drivers from buying booze needs more work. He can say that again. And again.
Tax cuts in a recession? You've gotta be kidding We'd all love a tax cut. But we'd rather have a stable economy.
Out of balance Maintaining Idaho's transportation system costs $240 million more each year than the state has available to spend.
Idaho needs to reverse GOP course Some states are poised to move swiftly to help their citizens prepare for this new economy, but Idaho - which has been held in the grip of one-party dominance for 14 years - has neglected to invest in its people.
Money has Idaho tax-cutters overstimulated Even if stimulus money could be used for such a zany scheme as cutting income taxes, which is highly unlikely, it would leave Idaho in worse shape than it is in now.
Idaho's legislators depend on lobbyists to help them make informed votes In a citizen's legislature such as Idaho, legislators do not have personal staff to do research and analyze bills. In many ways, lobbyists serve the function of legislative staff, argues Rep. Jim Patrick.
Salazar's wolf decision a misstep Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has been working diligently to weed out poor policy planted over the previous eight years, but his decision to remove wolves from federal protection in Idaho and Montana opened the door to hunting wolves in those states, and Salazar should be ready to act quickly to restore protections should the species once again become at risk.
Here's one unspent pot of money Could Idaho's cash-strapped 2009 Legislature face any easier decision than this one?
Earmarks come from someplace, like here Earmarks are one of Congress' rare success stories in bipartisanship. And anyone who points a finger at one party as more guilty than the other is really giving his audience the finger.
Stimulus madness: Let's take care of the basics first The hooray-it's-Christmas philosophy of federal economic stimulus spending doesn't make sense when so many basic needs may be unmet.
Road projects have a friend in the governor Otter isn't just holding his nose. He's twisting some arms. For that, Valley motorists should be thankful.
Struggling to pay heat bill? Senate says, 'Chill' Senator calls Avista request for program to help low-income people pay their utility bills "redistribution of wealth." But ratepayers are already paying for people who don't pay their bills.
Save some, spend some: Balance needed on rainy day fund By next year at this time, $2.5 billion - the current state revenue guesstimate for fiscal 2010 - might seem rosy as far as 2011 is concerned.
The foolish pharmacy flap Lawmakers should not waste time legislating a "conscience rule" for pharmacists; if a pharmacist has moral objections to specific items, he should find work elsewhere or open her own pharmacy.
Otter on job recruiting: looking for the half-full glass Unemployment may draw more high-tech firms, according to Gov. Butch Otter.
Idaho's House of Lobbyists strikes again Thanks to the pleas of a well-connected lobbyist, the House Transportation Committee trounced Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposal to impose a 6 percent excise tax on car rentals.
Uh Oh! Idaho’s Going to Write a Strongly Worded Letter! Concerned that the federal government is going to impose new firearms laws, Idaho plans to write a letter reminding the government of the existence of the 2nd Amendment.
Amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to protect all citizens Idaho human rights leaders and organizations urge the legislature to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act (IHRA) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Tom Luna: Statesman's idea to use rainy-day fund is reckless Superintendent of public instruction Tom Luna argues that the state likely faces several years of budget shortfalls and shouldn't drain its rainy-day fund all in one year.
Doing the right thing with daycare Day care regulation is necessary and we should make sure the bills currently facing the Senate get passed.
Go home! Legislators won't know how much the Obama stimulus package provides to Idaho government until late March; why are Idaho's 105 lawmakers spending $30,000 a day milling around Boise and waiting for financial information that is weeks away?
A legislative dance ritual The defining issue of this legislative session could be how (or if) the state spends some $1 billion of federal economic stimulus money. Instead, it threatens to be a toothless flame mail about federal usurpation of state sovereignty.
Mighty Idaho to tell Uncle Sam to back off? Instead of suspending the legislative session until the effects of Congress' stimulus bill are figured out, legislators spending at least $30,000 a day fiddling with foolishness like Rep. Harwood's resolution decrying federal power.
Idle Hands the Devil’s Playground in Idaho Legislature With budgeting on hold, legislators are submitting 'social issues' bills that otherwise might not have been considered this year.
Apologizing to the grandchildren The Democrats now spending money they don't have bailing out the economy are the same people whose policies paralyzed rural Idaho.
Road infrastructure has a direct bearing on Idaho's economy You want to raise the blood pressure of a citizen executive - tell him that despite the vital nature of Idaho's transportation system, no one is in charge.
Monday was Screw Merchants Day in Idaho Requiring "bricks and mortar" retailers to collect Idaho's 6 percent sales tax while letting internet and catalog retailers escape taxation is unfair.
Bell, Cameron are right: Grocery credit can wait a year Like it or not, pocket change matters in the Idaho Legislature this session. If the grocery tax credit increase remains, something more important in the budget may have go.
For Idaho schools, it's raining now Are we a state that wants to be known for maximizing its balance sheet, or minimizing the immediate impact on 275,000 students?
To meet demand for nurses, we need more educators Because of the aging of the baby boomers, by 2016, health care will be the state's fastest-growing, largest and highest-paying industry.
Labrador's big idea: Let folks tax themselves Call them the sunshine soldiers of local control: House Republicans beat their breasts and speak passionately about the need to get government - state and federal - off the backs of local taxpayers.
Big government won't help America, taxpayers - innovation will While it is important to work with the president to help those who are experiencing financial difficulties, it is equally important that we protect future generations of taxpayers from an untenable debt load.
Online opinions, even if they're vile, are still free speech Where's a legislator when you need one? Dashing to our rescue is a former newspaper publisher, a freshman legislator, a freedom-of-speech expert whose bill would make criminals out of all of my new ill-tempered pen pals.
Four decades later, beer-wine tax stays same Idaho has not raised its beer and wine taxes for almost 50 years, which is a tribute not only to legislators' dislike of taxes - even greater than the dislike for alcoholic beverages by many of them - but also to successful lobbying.
Now's the time to trade up to a current energy policy Idaho has benefited from relatively cheap and abundant energy for a long time, but, unfortunately, those days are coming to an end.
Legislators, don't skip past low-hanging fruit Sen. Brent Hill works to ensure the Tax Commission has the resources necessary to collect any and all taxes owed to the state.
The small-town amenities Idaho can no longer afford It's nice to have a basketball team or an FFA group that does a small community proud, but the rest of Idaho - mostly urban and suburban taxpayers - are simply unwilling to underwrite those luxuries any more.
GOP is wrong; stimulus will help Idaho Rep. Wendy Jaquet wishes Idaho didn't need federal stimulus money, but with 50,000 Idahoans unemployed (and rising), the state should take advantage of help being offered.
Our leaders seem more concerned with projects than people Tell your congressmen in Washington to prioritize people over pet projects, and your legislators at the Statehouse to place families over corporations.
Across-the-board cuts are an easy way out Salary cuts for faculty would be harsh, even cruel, and likely provoke top faculty to leave the state.
Idaho can compete. And must compete There's a saying around the halls of state government: when Micron catches the sniffles, the state's economy catches the flu.
The greening of Idaho Power? Depends on which way the wind blows Idaho Power needs to do more to expand its portfolio of renewable energy sources.
School funding needs a supernova Legislators are currently concerned that further repairs/construction would require raised taxes or more education cuts, neither palatable.
Homeowners shouldn't pay medical costs The state should not force counties - and thus homeowners, via the property tax - to pay an increased share of catastrophic medical costs.
Otter talks big about letting Idaho go without Idaho's chief executive is listed among those Republican governors now in Washington, D.C., telling Uncle Sam to take his cash and shove it.
EchoHawk will restore integrity to Bureau of Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk is being touted as a candidate to head up the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Obama administration, and the Mormon trial lawyer is just what the scandal-riddled agency needs to get back on the right course.
Stimulus money should be discussed in the open The committee members' connections do not change the fact that Idaho needs to carefully and studiously dissect the stimulus law, in all its complexities.
Why DEQ's septic tank rules didn't pass muster Rep. Hartgen says the Department of Environment Quality proposed rules on septic tanks and drainfields were unpractical, unreasonable, and unsupported by solid science.
Legislature continues its old, tired, gay-bashing ways Most Idaho homosexuals are like Sen. LeFavour, a law-abiding, taxpaying small business owner. What are our lawmakers so afraid of?
Stimulus plan is no-win situation for Idaho States, like Idaho, that planned ahead and put money aside to prevent cuts in school budgets in lean times would be denied some federal stimulus money because the money could only go to states that actually had to cut education funding.
Obama told Idahoans he wouldn't take away their guns. He lied. Proposals to make guns "childproof" and to extend the federal Assault Weapons Ban are indeed attempts to take guns away from citizens.
A jaw-dropping $787 billion economic stimulus plan has been on the books for five days. What's next? This is not exactly an ideal start for an administration that has promised a new breed of transparency.
The Idaho Senate takes two steps backward Votes to nullify DEQ rules on septic systems and to refuse extending anti-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians suggest the Senate is as backward and hidebound as a legislative body can be.
Leach mining: Friendly promise, toxic legacy Why don't Idahoans wake up, smell the cyanide, selenium and other contaminants left by the heap leach process and outlaw such mines?
Yes, Idaho has plenty to learn about stimulus Idaho needs a group of savvy, studious government pros to figure out the ins and outs of economic stimulus.
Democrats must clean up GOP's mess, again Once again, Idaho's senators distinguish themselves as totally disingenuous, partisan ideologues.
Effect of mining exploration on Boise water deserves a close look Conservation groups are concerned about the possible effects, such as piles of mine waste and tailings, as well as a huge increase in truck traffic, that a large open-pit mine in the Grimes Creek drainage would have.
Creative history from Idaho's senior senator So who is to blame for the near-meltdown of a financial system built on shaky loans converted into securities that Warren Buffett in 2002 called "financial weapons of mass destruction"?
Commission backs human rights, for some The Idaho Human Rights Commission voted to reverse its previous support for giving sexual minorities the same protection provided to victims of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender and disability.
Nonini's right: Now is the time for one-year teacher contracts There are few other public agencies in Idaho in a position to make financial commitments beyond next year, when tax revenue might actually be lower.
Hiking booze taxes could treat substance abuse Idaho needs to put more money into substance-abuse treatment programs. And it makes sense to get the money, via a higher tax on beer and wine, from people who drink.
Stimulus bill too big? How about too small? Despite its high price tag, the stimulus package may not be as effective as hoped because billions in direct spending, which many economists argue would give a bigger jolt to the economy, was traded away for tax cuts demanded by GOP senators.
Day care regulation is Idaho's shame Idaho has the oldest batch of legislators in the nation, and on this issue it shows.
Spend stimulus money smartly, compassionately Idaho is going to get about a billion dollars, like it or not. Let's try to make the best of it.
Hello, tuition - farewell, matriculation fee The noble policy that Idahoans would provide their own children with a tuition-free college education was abandoned long ago.
Environmental quality board should be looking after our health Mercury levels in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir are so high that the fish can't freely be eaten. Idaho regulators should stand up to special interests and provide rules that will protect citizens' health.
It's time to end the shell game A college education is worth paying for, and the vast majority of Idaho students realize and accept that fact.
Lack of support on rules to keep Idaho's water safe is disappointing No matter what shape our economy is in, there's one constant on which all Idahoans can agree: We must have clean, safe water for Idaho families.
The arguments against school-district consolidation and highway-district consolidation in Idaho are flimsy The rhetoric says one thing: Idahoans want lean, efficient government. The numbers say something else. Idahoans tacitly accept 115 school districts and 295 highway districts.
From business perspective: Invest in transportation now Investing in Idaho's transportation infrastructure is a big investment in people, not just potholes.
An imaginary crisis and a needless assault Rep. Nonini's proposal to do away with teacher contracts on the grounds of financial emergency is neither warranted on its merits or even necessary, now that the federal stimulus package has passed.
Offering some of Idaho's wolves to other states makes sense The biological recovery goals for the Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf population was met in 2002. Idaho now has a minimum of eight times the number required by law and recommended by scientists.
Look who's spurning mandatory sentencing Gary Schroeder of Moscow, usually the most liberal Republican in the Idaho Senate, proposes adding a mandatory minimum sentence to state law, for child sexual abusers.
Idaho will need to compensate license holders In a state that prides itself on limited government intrusion, the current liquor-license law is not so much quaint as it is comical.
House must not let economic-bill debate derail public-lands bill Debate on the massive economic stimulus package may deter the U.S. House from taking up the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act as expected this week, but the House should not fail to act as quickly as it can to pass this important legislation and send it on to President Obama for signature.
Idaho should keep its commitments Setting Idaho on the course toward a more robust grocery tax credit was one of the 2008 Legislature's top accomplishments. Putting that schedule on hold would mark one of this current Legislature's great failures.
Women’s panel no longer needed Republican Sen. Joyce Broadsword of Sagle has proposed eliminating the Idaho Women's Commission, saying the organization is no longer needed because women have "taken their place" in society.
A voice on wolves the feds might listen to Given its track record of professional and successful wolf management, the Nez Perce Tribe should be among the first whose opinion federal wildlife managers and the White House listen to in resolving the delisting question.
Otter's transportation initiative has a long way to go If Gov. Otter wants to get anywhere on the transportation issue, he'll need to do a lot of pitching and persuading of both Republicans and Democrats wary of raising taxes and fees during a recession.
Dinging public doesn't solve budget woes Delaying statewide grocery tax relief and increasing parking costs at the Ada County Courthouse would wring a few more dollars out of taxpayers during tough times, and would reflect promises reneged.
Breaking a promise Passing Gov. Otter's highway plan and putting on hold this year's phase-in of the grocery tax credit boost would have the same effect, transferring more of the weight of this state's expenses onto the backs of those least able to pay.
A state government that can't shoot straight Personnel cuts at Idaho's Tax Commission will cost the state dearly in the long run, as will the gutting of a state program designed to help smaller communities in the state attract businesses that create jobs.
Equitable fees could spread the cost of power projects Rep. Bert Stevenson (R-) hardly has a reputation as a big tax and spender, so his Idaho legislative colleagues should give his bill to make new industrial projects and subdivisions shoulder their share of the cost of providing demand they will place on utilities.
Agriculture's stability has policy lessons for Idaho Agriculture is accountable for 156,599 jobs, $4.2 billion in wages and $21 billion in total sales. As difficult as the current budget crisis is, it would be even more pronounced without ag's stabilizing effect on tax collections.
Higher-ed pay cuts are OK - if temporary For too long, Idaho has sustained the affordability of its higher education by grossly underpaying faculty and staff.
Don't be seduced by 'free' federal money Unfortunately, even here in Idaho we're in danger of surrendering to the siren song of stimulus, and, as in Homer's "Odyssey," steering our ship toward the public trough for our share of financial deliverance.
Otter's plan to fix Idaho's roads is a good one. Support it. If Idaho is to remain a desirable place to live and work, we must not only maintain what we have, but be willing to fund improvements and expansions that will allow our children and grandchildren to enjoy the Idaho lifestyle we all enjoy.
Wrapping wolves with a red ribbon Wolves seem to be popular everywhere they don't live. So why not share the love? I'd even like to suggest a few destinations.
Idaho must crack down on people who abuse animals Idaho is one of only five states where any act of animal cruelty, no matter how depraved, can be charged only as a misdemeanor crime. These acts should be charged as felonies.
No federal funds yet, but plan for them anyway Stimulus money may or may not be forthcoming, but that shouldn't prevent Idaho politicians from starting to think proactively and strategically about to what short term and long term uses the money should be put.
Free wolves and local-option showdown Kevin Richert says timing couldn't be worse for Sen. Schroeder's wolf charade; and applauds Sen. Hill for taking a stand against locking local-option tax language into the state Constitution.
Lawmakers' restraint is uncommon Though no Idaho law prevents lawmakers from accepting money from registered lobbyists during session, very few do; a lobbyist argues that ethical restraints should remain voluntary.
Universities should invest money wisely The state could use its share of federal stimulus money to plug holes in the budgets for higher education and other programs. But this doesn't get universities thinking beyond the status quo and doing anything to address strategic needs.
Little responded well to criticism of fundraiser Lt. Governor says he can see how his appearance at a fundraiser last week might look unseemly, and says he'd support a bill to restrict lobbyist contributions during a legislative session.
Don't raise taxes without fixing ITD inefficiency Before any taxes or fees are raised to fix existing roads or build new ones, the Legislature should fix the inefficiencies in the current system of operating procedures and regulations.
They're still playing the same old game in Boise Consolidation may not lower expenses, but spending less on bureaucracy unquestionably would leave more for the classroom.
Legislators display septic system expertise Committees in both the House and Senate vote to reject a Department of Environmental Quality rule strengthening what DEQ says is the weakest regulation of septic systems in the entire country.
Cuts won't last forever State revenues are down dramatically, which means it's going to be a tough year for education in Idaho. However, this is a temporary situation, and because of sound financial management in the past we are in an excellent position to weather it.
Idaho valley has no 'shovel ready' stimulus projects Idaho's Treasure Valley is about to discover that talk isn't cheap, as federal funds are poised to flow into "shovel ready" transportation projects and the Valley has only a study of future projects ready to go - a study that won't provide many jobs, and certainly won't make moving around the Valley any easier for commuters.
Texas billionaire's latest mission bears watching T. Boone Pickens earned his millions in the oil fields, and he now endorses wind energy and natural gas to fuel the future, but there's more to Pickens than his new "clean-energy" agenda.
Compulsory school through age 18 would be good for Idaho Rep. Jarvis says raising the compulsory school age requirement from 16 to 18 would help society by lowering the crime rate and making young people better prepared for the modern workforce.
Otter's cabinet, legislators continue to butt heads Head of State Department of Administration says he'll issue executive order to keep Idaho Education Network broadband project on track.
News flash: Idaho can't afford a med school It took a while, but Monday the State Board of Education finally halted Idaho's dead man walking, rejecting Idaho State University's plan to continue planning a medical school.
Compromise on local-option taxes was offered and rejected Rep. Raul Labrador defends last year's constitutional amendment on local-option sales taxes.
Let's hear where Otter stands on local option The local-option tax issue is confused and contentious - and could benefit from a little clarity from the state's chief executive.
U.S. House stimulus package full of lard The massive economic stimulus package moving through Congress contains about $30 billion for highways and bridges, $40 billion for airport improvements and $275 billion for tax credits, all of which will no doubt massage the nation's economy, but one has to wonder about just how $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts and $54 million for federal programs the Office of Management and Budget called ineffective will aid the ailing economy.
Closing holes in Idaho's ethic laws is overdue Lawmakers have had a troubling tendency to move slowly to address shortcomings in ethics law. In some cases, they've been downright stubborn about it.
Emergency or not, state planes worth cost Travel by small plane might not be as essential to Idahoans as it is to Alaskans, but among the 48 lower states few pose as much challenge to people seeking to get around quickly by car as the Gem State does.
Commission’s explanation on tax deals is past due If state lawmakers want to show they're on the side of economically-stressed residents, they need to stop waiting for the Tax Commission to have a change of heart and exercise their own legislative authority.
Tax commissioners doing fine; just ask them You might think when a state agency that rarely receives public attention is jolted by an allegation of improper conduct, it would jump to clear its name, even if it believed it had done nothing wrong.
A state with vision picks potholes and people It is understandable that many Idahoans do not want their children's education to fall victim to the recession, but there is no reason to pit good schools against good roads as legislators prepare next year's state budget.
Idaho's bribery laws are a joke You could call it shady politics. You could also call it attempted bribery. Yet it's not illegal - not in Idaho, which has the nation's most feeble bribery laws.
Rep. Lenore Barrett will continue to issue forth quotable quips at the Statehouse Rumors that the Legislature's premier quotesmith, Rep. Lenore Barrett of Challis, is ready to retire from lawmaking and delighting reporters are lies. Damn lies.
Plan for shift in school oversight makes sense The agencies overseeing education need an agile governing model so they can deal creatively with tough budget times.
JFAC should think long and hard before cutting courts Idaho's court system is so overloaded at the moment that further budget reductions threaten public safety.
How Idaho does business Idaho hasn't raised its fuel tax for a dozen years. Meanwhile, inflation has so crimped the state's ability to care for its highways that the feds say more than one-third of the roads are in poor condition.
Legislators' games of strategy surely keep their minds sharp Despite my lack of aptitude, the game of chess could be appropriate training for covering the Idaho Legislature.
Idaho lawmakers need to have road plan After the dust settles and lawmakers decide they will take a serious look at the highway problem, the goal should be to provide a stable money source and mandate accountability for how that money is spent.
President Obama should address these Western issues first Barack Obama will be sworn in today as the nation's 44th president, and he should consider putting these issues of import to Montana and other western states on his to-do list: keeping the nation's food supply affordable and secure; improving life on the nation's Indian reservations; upgrading century-old water delivery systems; and expanding rural transportation options, just to name a few.
Idaho must think ahead about transportation issues Lawmakers and state transportation leaders are spending too much time trying to fix problems in the existing transportation system rather than planning for ways to improve roads and transit for the future.
Strip ed board of functions - and members Otter, in his State of the State address Monday, renewed his call from last year to return the board to the policy-making role it played for decades before Idahoans elected a Democratic superintendent.
Crapo's perseverance pays off for Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo began working on legislation to protect Idaho's Owyhee Canyonlands eight years ago, and his tireless efforts were rewarded Thursday when the U.S. Senate approved the measure, along with 159 others, in the Omnibus Public Lands Act.
Save by prison producing private profit: how? If Otter and legislators want to know how to cut correction costs without harming those state workers, and the Orofino area, a former governor has the answer for them.
Otter should keep state's insurance promise Imagine working for 25 years, getting the gold watch and the finding out your retirement might not be what was promised.
Our crumbling roads also have a human cost Let's state the obvious, which some Democrats seem determined to ignore this session. People use roads.
Massive public lands bill pulls 2 million acres out of production Despite a measure that allows Alaska to build a road through a wildlife refuge, the U.S. Senate voted to put a massive public lands bill on track for a vote before the full U.S. Senate, which will pull another 2 million acres of federal public lands out of production.
Idaho governor paints a tough, realistic picture of state's finances Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter didn't pull any punches in his State of the State speech Monday, and while he had little good news to convey, his plan provides a realistic starting point to what will be tough budget talks.
Idaho's water holds financial promise In its search for a new revenue stream, Idaho need look no further than its water, and start charging water-rights holders for the water, which is owned by the state. A guest column by Jon Marvel, the executive director of Western Watersheds Project.
Idaho's freshman congressman has a notable history U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, Idaho's freshman congressman, is only the second Democrat to hold his house seat in more than four decades, but he's also a former member of Nixon's White House staff and was the second to resign after the Watergate scandal broke. A column by David S. Broder.
Otter picks political partner, campfire companion as Lt. Governor Gov. Butch Otter was doing more than making an obvious choice in picking Brad Little as lieutenant governor Tuesday. He picked a man he'd like as a successor.
Otter, lawmakers helped avoid fiscal disaster Legislators and Gov. Butch Otter have taken preemptive steps to cut spending ahead of, and during, the Idaho recession.
Craig needs to take back ill-advised Idaho dam proposal Idaho Sen. Larry Craig spent his entire 28-year career championing logging, mining, farming and ranching, so his last proposal to fund a $3-million study of new dams for irrigators isn't surprising, but it is disappointing given that the study would reconsider building the Teton Dam, which collapsed in 1976, killing 11 people and causing $1 billion in damage.
Another noisy season on deck in Yellowstone National Park The snowmobile season roars to life in Yellowstone National Park today, another noisy winter brought to you compliments of a crafted decision by Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis, who stitched together the policy out of conflicting court opinions.
Next on Obama Cabinet list: secretaries of energy, interior The Obama transition team is expected to name nominees for the secretaries of energy and interior and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, perhaps as early as next week.
Indian Health Service must be on Congress' priority list next year Another year, and congressional session, has passed and comprehensive reform of the long-ailing Indian Health Service has again fallen by the wayside, a failing that Congress should immediately address in the opening days of its 111th session. The editorials posted here are provided by permission of their original publishers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Idaho Public Television. Legislative NewsGeneral Idaho News |
Idaho News MediaNewspapers and News sitesIdaho Statesman (Boise)RuralNorthwest.com (Bonners Ferry) South Idaho Press (Burley) Challis Messenger Coeur d' Alene Press Sho-Ban News (Fort Hall) Wood River Journal (Hailey) Idaho Falls Post Register Island Park News Idaho Mountain Express (Ketchum) Latah Eagle (Latah County) Lewiston Morning Tribune Montpelier News-Examiner Moscow-Pullman Daily News Mountain Home News Idaho Press Tribune (Nampa) Idaho State Journal (Pocatello) The Standard Journal (Rexburg) Spokesman-Review (Spokane and North Idaho) St. Maries Gazette Record Twin Falls Times-News Idaho Unidos Boise Weekly NewWest.net Broadcast MediaIdaho Public Television (PBS)KBCI TV-2 (CBS - Boise) KIVI TV-6 (ABC - Boise) KTVB TV-7 (NBC - Boise) KTRV TV-12 (Fox - Boise) KIDK TV-3 (CBS - Idaho Falls) KIFI TV-8 (ABC - Idaho Falls) KLEW TV-3 (CBS - Lewiston) KPVI TV-6 (NBC - Pocatello) Northwest Public Radio Boise State Radio BlogsEye on Boise (Betsy Russell of the Idaho Spokesman-Review)ID Quicktakes (Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman) Capitol Confidential (Times-News coverage of Idaho politics by Jared S. Hopkins) Ridenbaugh Press (Randy Stapilus; covers politics in ID, OR, and WA) The Common Interest ("an organization of common citizens — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents" - founded by Keith Allred) |