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.
Twin Falls Times-News 11/6/2009

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.
High Country News 11/3/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 11/3/2009

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.
Las Vegas Review-Journal 10/28/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 10/26/2009

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.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/25/2009

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.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/23/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 10/23/2009

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.
Idaho Falls Post Register 10/22/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 10/21/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/20/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 10/20/2009

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?
Twin Falls Times-News 10/19/2009

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.
Idaho Press-Tribune 10/18/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/16/2009

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.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/16/2009

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.
Moscow-Pullman Daily News 10/16/2009

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.
Twin Falls Times-News 10/16/2009

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.
Idaho Falls Post Register 10/15/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/15/2009

Is Denney rewriting Roberts' biography? In promoting his colleague Ken Roberts for Congress, Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney credits him with accomplishing the impossible.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/15/2009

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.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/14/2009

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 Statesman 10/13/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/12/2009

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."
Idaho Statesman 10/11/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/11/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/11/2009

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.
Lewiston Morning Tribune 10/11/2009

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.
Idaho Falls Post Register 10/8/2009

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.
Idaho Statesman 10/8/2009