All 2011 Idaho Opinions
Now is not the time for Idaho to reject federal unemployment aid Idaho's top officials and some lawmakers have made it clear that they would not support another extension of federal unemployment benefits because it's time for the unemployed to get back to work, but there are currently 68,000 people out of work in the state, another 50,000 working part-time and looking for full-time work, and fewer than 20,000 open jobs.
Idaho, Montana senators' bill on renewable energy will spur development Idaho U.S. Sen. Jim Risch and Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester are sponsoring a bill that would put development of renewable energy projects on public lands on a level playing field with oil and gas development, and provides a good balance of allowing such development while protecting the environment and wildlife.
Idaho county must not pursue its challenge of redistricting plan Twin Falls County commissioners have yet to answer the important question of just why they want to challenge the state's new redistricting maps. While the plan isn't ideal, it's as close to ideal as the state can get and comply with the law.
Idaho congressman says bighorn sheep, grazing measures will pass There are dozens of riders attached to the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for 2012, but Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson said he is confident that a measure he sponsored to limit a regulation to keep wild bighorn sheep and domestic sheep apart in Idaho's Payette National Forest will pass along with the budget bill. Rocky Barker's Letters from the West.
Idaho congressman's bill puts bighorn sheep populations at risk A provision inserted in the 2012 appropriations bill by Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson would prevent public land managers from taking steps to keep domestic sheep and bighorn sheep apart for five years, a provision that defies science and puts wild sheep populations at risk from diseases against which they have no immunity. A guest editorial by John Gale, National Wildlife Federation; Rob Fraser, Idaho Wildlife Federation; Craig Gehrke, The Wilderness Society; John Robison, Idaho Conservation League; and Jennifer Schemm, Hells Canyon Preservation Council.
'No' isn't an option in debate on moving or expanding Idaho airport The Friedman Memorial Airport in Idaho that provides decent access to Sun Valley is rapidly becoming obsolete, and residents who plan to dig in their heels and fight both options of moving or expanding the airport are slowly but surely strangling the life out of Sun Valley.
Idaho lawmakers should support local option tax measure Raising taxes in Idaho or any other state seems unlikely, given the state of the economy and the mind-set of citizens, but that shouldn't dissuade state legislators from passing a bill that allows local governments from putting a tax before their residents, who should be given a voice on how they want to address deteriorating roads and bridges.
Idaho should dump its per diem system for legislators The more John Miller of the Associated Press digs into per diem abuses by Idaho legislators, the more it becomes evident that the system should be dumped and lawmakers should go to an expense reimbursement system, running government like a business.
Idaho legislators should heed local concerns about guns on campuses The National Rifle Association successfully lobbied 41 Idaho House members to get a bill passed that would allow concealed weapons on the state's college campuses, but thankfully the Idaho Senate declined to pass the bill. The NRA will be back this next session, and lawmakers should heed the concern of local law enforcement and campus officials who would have to live with the law, rather than listen to a national organization whose only goal is adding the Gem State to its win column.
GOP lawmakers should be wary of outcome on Antiquities Act bill As Idaho U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador and Utah U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop seek exemptions for their respective states to the Antiquities Act that Wyoming and Alaska enjoy, they should recall that both Wyoming and Alaska paid their dues for such exemptions in the form of Grand Teton National Park and the Alaska Lands Act, which created 79 million acres of national parks, wilderness and wildlife refuges in that state. A column by Rocky Barker.
Local-option tax perfect issue for voters to bypass Idaho Legislature For decades, Idaho legislators have stubbornly refused to pass a law that allows local governments to impose a local tax to pay for public works projects, and now business leaders in the state are putting together a voter initiative to do just that, which is really the only way to get the matter before voters and out of the hands of the state's control-freak legislators.
Decision on grizzly-bear shooting in Idaho gave both sides a win The decision of Idaho U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson to drop the charges against Jeremy Hill for shooting a grizzly bear in exchange for Hill agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine allowed both sides to walk away from the table with a victory. And it gave Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador another opportunity to take a shot at the federal Endangered Species Act. A column by Rocky Barker.
Protecting birds must be part of next-generation wind-farm regulations The wind-energy industry is arguably still in its infancy in the West, and as more and more such clean-energy projects emerge from the drawing board to the landscape, federal, state and local governments should take steps to ensure these facilities are sited and designed to reduce bird mortality.
Idaho legislators need to leave state lands endowment alone The value of Idaho's public lands endowment has grown from $320 million to more than $1.2 billion over the past two decades, a rate of return that should remind state legislators - who appear interested in selling off some properties - to keep their mitts off the endowment.
Idaho can cut corporate taxes if companies will give up sales tax exemptions Idaho's 7.6 percent corporate income tax is higher than any of the states with which it shares a border, and three of those states - Wyoming, Nevada and Washington - have no corporate income tax at all. But Idaho needs the $130 million or so the tax feeds into its coffers, and if lawmakers want to cut the corporate tax, they could make up the difference by cutting out some of the sweetheart sales tax exemptions they've given corporations.
Grizzly bear shooting in Idaho prompts endangered species debate In May, Jeremy Hill shot and killed a grizzly bear that was one of three threatening his children's 4-H pigs because he was afraid the bears might attack his children who were playing outside. The residents of Idaho's Boundary County, as well as Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, and U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, have rallied around Hill, and the federal prosecution of Hill for the shooting has prompted a public outcry. A column by Rocky Barker.
Cold, hard cash freezes Idaho's fiery opposition to federal health care reform The crackling noise Idahoans hear from Boise these days isn't the fiery rhetoric from the governor and lawmakers heard during the legislative session opposing federal health care reform requirements, but rather the sound of that fiery opposition freezing over, with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter granting waivers from 10 of 13 state agencies requesting leave to accept federal cash under the law.
Some lands in the West are more precious than gold High gold prices notwithstanding, there are areas in the nation that are worth more untrammeled than disturbed for what's lying under them. That's why California U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy's "Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 201l," as well as its companion measure in the Senate introduced by Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, need to die in committee. A guest column by Heather Hansen, an environmental journalist working with the Red Lodge Clearinghouse/Natural Resources Law Center at CU Boulder, to help raise awareness of natural resource issues.
Debate over motorized access for hunters now in Idaho Idaho appears to be the new locus for the ongoing debate over expanded access for hunters who want to ride their all-terrain vehicles in the backcountry. Although the state Senate tabled two bills dealing with the issue this past session, it's likely to become a perennial one for state legislators until some sort of bill is passed.
Idaho needs to be realistic about federal government's role Idaho has a deserved reputation for being on the get-federal-government-off-our-backs side of the tracks, and as lawmakers begin working on the 2012 Farm Bill, which will no doubt be a mere shadow of its predecessor, Idahoans should take a realistic look at what federal support means to the state.
Idaho's most influential Republicans wouldn't recognize GOP now If you gathered the 10 most influential Republicans in Idaho's history and asked them to endorse the nine resolutions approved by the state Central Committee last weekend, few would concur with the craziness that is passing for a party platform these days.
Utah senator should realize winning an election not worth his integrity Utah U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch has often reached across the legislative aisle to find solutions, but with the defeat of his colleague U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett last year at the hands of a Tea party candidate, Hatch has decided to push his conservative views toward the bizarre, declaring the rich have done enough and that those earning incomes in the bottom half of the scale, need to put some "skin in the game."
Idaho should set wolf quotas based on science, not politics Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson set the stage for Idaho's no-holds-barred wolf hunt when he ramrodded legislation through Congress to take the species off the endangered species list, but it would be nice if state officials could take a more scientific approach to managing wolves and setting quotas for its wolf hunt.
Idaho legislators should heed warnings about unconstitutional laws Idaho Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane earns nearly $100,000 annually to advise state legislators on the constitutionality of legislation, money that the Legislature could probably save since lawmakers refused to listen to Kane's warnings that a couple of bills aimed at stripping unions of power didn't pass constitutional muster, and now a federal court has blocked one of the laws, and the other seems likely to meet the same fate.
Idaho needs to work now on developing new funding for Fish and Game The Idaho Department of Fish and Game doesn't get a dime of federal funding, and its bread and butter is provided primarily from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, but with those activities in decline, the state needs to explore other sources, perhaps asking those who enjoy watching wildlife to help support their habit.
Idaho legislators' decision to pay staff bonuses hard to explain Given the brutal budget cuts approved by the Idaho Legislature this year, the decision to pay $94,633 in bonuses to legislative staffers, as well as $72,500 to be paid out to employees at five other state agencies, is inexplicable - and certainly leaves other state workers with the impression that a dual-class system is in place in Boise.
Babbitt: Idaho congressman's bill example of GOP war on environment Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said Idaho U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador's bill to bar presidential use of the Antiquities Act to designate wilderness is one of a number of piecemeal amendments and budget riders that are nicking away at environmental and public lands laws.
Salazar's change of heart on wild lands policy a smart move Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to table his executive order on wild lands was a good one, and his plan to make future wilderness designation decisions more collaborative is an even better one.
Idaho congressman acknowledges Medicare reform's cost to GOP In an article on Medicare reform that the Bloomberg news service ran on Tuesday, Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson carried the lead with his quote that the Republican Party knew that Rep. Paul Ryan's ambitious plan to revamp Medicare would cost the Republican Party.
Washington has its eye on Northern Idaho's water Residents of Southern Idaho are used to fighting to protect their water rights, but state lawmakers and local officials from Northern Idaho have often been loath to spend taxpayer dollars to protect those rights. Now that Washington state is seeking some water from northern Idaho, perhaps there will be more empathy and a willingness to act together.
Wyoming lawmakers' attempt to disassemble the U.S. Constitution ill-advised The last time a group of states decided to nullify federal law in the United States a civil war broke out, and although analysts say the Repeal Amendment, which is supported by all three of Wyoming's federal lawmakers, has zero chance of succeeding, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Mike Enzi and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis should be spending their time working within the system, not trying to take it apart.
Idaho's technology plans for schools show a lack of foresight Millions of dollars will be spent over the next few years to put laptops in the hands of tens of thousands of Idaho students. Idaho schools chief Tom Luna said his task force will have a plan to manage all that technology before it hits the schools, but should support for the technology really be an afterthought?
Idaho, Montana now have to prove they can manage wolves well However troubling the route that states got to manage wolves again, it is the law of the land. And now that Montana and Idaho again hold the reins, they must carry out their duties reasonably.
Getting rid of Luna will be difficult, won't fix Idaho education reform Education reform pushed by Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna angered so many people that there is a recall effort under way, but a recall is problematic in both time and number of votes it will take. Opponents of Luna and his reforms would better serve the state by pushing for voter referendums on the November 2012 ballot to overturn the measures to which they so vehemently object.
With act of Congress, Montana must now prove it can manage wolves Although the return of wolf management to Montana - and Idaho - took a route that may set a bad precedent, the result is that the Big Sky State can again manage its wolves, a responsibility the state must live up to by maintaining a balance that protects the species while also protecting livestock and big game herds.
Hot air from the wind power industry? During legislative debate, wind energy developer Exergy said it would kill its current projects if lawmakers didn't extend a multimillion-dollar sales tax rebate for renewable energy. It now says it will follow through on Southern Idaho wind projects it has on the drawing board.
Just how are Luna's reforms workable for small districts? Under the old system, a school district got paid for every day one student attended one class. Under the new reform law, if a student takes online courses at home, the district won't be compensated for those hours.
Think Idaho Democrats had a hard time the past 10 years? Just wait. Redistricting will likely result in turning districts that are currently Democratic into marginal districts.
Ed board doesn't have to take Luna's guff The reform package passed by the legislature delegated to the State Board of Education the authority to determine how many online courses students must take to graduate. The board should do its own independent study of the issue and not just take Supt. Luna's recommendation.
Megaload module is a megamess Imperial Oil's test module megaload hit a wire supporting an Avista power pole. The pole broke and the wire, which carried no electricity, was flung over a high-voltage power line, shorting it out and causing a power outage.
Helping Luna? Jeer to Nancy Berto of Mountain Home, whose efforts to recall state school Superintendent Tom Luna may end up vindicating him and his school reform bills. Cheers to Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney for urging ExxonMobil representatives to hold a full public hearing on their plan to move megaloads of oilsands equipment through the heart of the university town.
Regaining Independence This summer, the State Board of Education must decide two issues left unresolved in this session's education reform bills: How the public school funding mechanism, Average Daily Attendance, will be impacted by online coursework; and the number of online courses required for high school graduation.
You'll pay (literally) for closed Idaho primaries Closing primary elections will likely lead to unnecessary confusion and frustration on Election Day, and it will end up costing Idaho taxpayers nearly a half a million dollars.
Denney gets bold - if someone pushes him first In the closing minutes of the 2011 session, House Speaker Lawerence Denney ditched House Agricultural Affairs Chairman Tom Trail, R-Moscow and Transportation Committee Chairman Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, for "not supporting him on procedural votes."
Idaho Legislature rushed through some poor bills this session With the sine die date approaching, Idaho State Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll fed Republican hysteria about health care reform to help push through a bill that nullifies the law in the state saying it "sets up a wealth of programs in the home to take our children away from us, which is the same way the Nazis did." Republicans were so sure about the final leg of Tom Luna's education reform bill that they passed it as "emergency" legislation, which heads off a referendum drive to nullify it.
GOP ends Idaho session with cheap shot Just before the House adjourned its 2011 legislative session, the Republican leadership removed Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, and Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, from their committee chairmanships.
Congressional action on wolves may leave Wyoming out of luck With a rider attached to the budget bill that will remove wolves in Montana and Idaho from endangered species protection, Wyoming appears to be left to go it alone, a situation for which the state is to blame.
Closed primary bill deals independents out Closing primary elections will guarantee that only those people willing to register as Republicans can vote in the party's primary election.
Annual report card for the Idaho Legislature Idaho lawmakers faced a tremendous challenge this session, facing another round of budget cuts amid pressure from public schools and higher education for more resources. The Legislature balanced the budget, and even managed to keep the cut for schools less than $50 million (when upwards of $125 million had earlier been envisioned.)
From Mount Heyburn, Idaho's lawgivers impose their will You could call the just-concluded Idaho legislative session the worst in 121 years of statehood. And you'd be wrong. Worst doesn't begin to describe it.
Idaho's difficult and damaging legislative session The 2011 Legislature's refusal to even consider any tax increases will mean large cuts to public education, colleges and universities and Medicaid. But this session will most be remembered not for its budget decisions, but for a far-reaching but dollar-driven overhaul of K-12.
The good, the bad and the ugly of '11 Legislature Until this year's legislative session - marked by deep cuts to essential education and Medicaid services and a drastic overhaul of the K-12 schools system - the 1951 session was considered the worst in postwar Idaho history. Maybe not anymore.
Independent thinkers unwelcome in this House Before dropping the final gavel on the 2011 session, House Speaker Lawerence Denney dropped the hammer on two House committee chairs, saying they were being replaced because they had failed to fall in line and support GOP leadership on too many procedural votes.
Despite laughable legislation, wolves aren't a threat to humans in Idaho The testimony offered during lawmakers' debate on legislation that essentially creates open season on wolves in Idaho made Idahoans appear as whiny people, scared of their own shadow, and would have been more funny if it hadn't resulted in an unbelievably bad bill making it to the governor's desk.
What Luna's bill says vs. what Luna means Schools Supt. Tom Luna appears poised to win from the State Board of Education what he couldn't get written into legislation passed by the Idaho Senate - requiring high school students to earn at least four credits from online courses in order to graduate.
Fighting two battles Idahoans focused on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education reforms should take note of how much damage President Obama's plan would do to public schools, writes college student Karin Lund.
Obama a Muslim? Death panels? Lies abound Legislators have made more than their share of bad policy this year. Now they're just making stuff up. It is time for this Legislature to go home.
In Boise it looks clever, here it looks arrogant Idaho lawmakers are scrambling to attach emergency clauses to each of the three education reform bills in order to ensure they go into law immediately. Without the emergency clauses, the laws could be suspended until 2012 if enough voter signatures are rounded up to put a referendum on that November's election ballot.
And in the end, hysteria triumphs in Idaho Legislature As far back as memory goes, lawmakers have taken pride in not wasting their constituents' money on hysterical nonsense. But with House passage of a bill allowing the governor to declare a wolf emergency and to ask city and county law enforcement officers to hunt down the predators, that's not the case anymore.
Expansion of Farm Act helps vital industry The House and Senate have passed changes to Idaho's Right to Farm Act that would make it harder to file nuisance lawsuits against farmers who expand their operations.
Ideology becomes the state's bottom line Legislators came to town staring straight at a budget shortfall, eventually pegged at $92 million, and managed to avoid even a passing glance at the fairness and the adequacy of Idaho's tax structure.
GOP purification rite hits a snag A GOP-sponsored bill seeking to bar independents from primaries runs afoul of the
House State Affairs Committee Vice Chair and delays the end of the 2011 legislative session.
Closing vote in Idaho carries price for taxpayers The GOP went to court, and won, for the right to close its primaries to registered Republican voters. But if lawmakers want to ensure party control over its nominating process, and don't want a "top two" primary, then they should find another system that doesn't draw on public money for their exclusive, private activities.
One lawmaker draws the line on sales tax exemptions Sen. Joe Stegner, chairman of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee, refuses to add another sales tax exemption to the 89 the state already offers.
Beware: Legislative 'scientists' at work Biology for Beginners was in session at the House Ways and Means Committee when Rep. Judy Boyle, the Midvale Republican and resident Statehouse Little Red Riding Hood, touted a bill to allow Idaho to declare a wolf disaster emergency.
Horse-trading and late-session theatrics Sen. Joe Stegner, chair of the Senate Local Government and Taxation committee, is being pressured to hold hearings on a bill that would give a sales tax break to a Boise aircraft maintenance company.
Its time to stop all the petty games in Boise The Republicans' retaliation against the Democratic slowdown might be slightly entertaining if it wasn't that their little spat has real-life consequences to many Idahoans.
Amid Idaho's budget trainwreck, an ongoing Medicaid disaster A new report by the Legislature’s Office of Performance Evaluations shows that problems with the state's Medicaid payment system could cost Idaho several million dollars in advanced payments to providers that may not be returned.
One party experiments with the future of Idaho's children With House approval of the third and most complicated piece of Supt. Tom Luna's education makeover, Idaho's public school system is now Idaho Republicans' public school system.
Beaten down Idaho teachers accept table scraps Idaho's educators have learned that the GOP-controlled legislature won't maintain, much less increase, school budgets if it means raising any kind of taxes.
Easy elections make for hardline politics When politicians run unopposed, or win with ease - as 81 of 105 Idaho's state legislators did in 2010 - they can reasonably assume that they have their voters' blessing to advance and support an aggressive agenda. So voters have no one to blame but themselves for the dramatic, rapid overhaul of public education, and social legislation on abortion, guns on campus and nullification.
OK, folks, here's your straight line... Every legislative session develops a personality of its own. This session is given to a childish mean streak. And that's no April Fools joke.
In Boise, legislative expertise gets no respect Time was when a junior member of the Legislature deferred to his seniors. Expertise mattered. No longer. Today's legislative newcomers fear only the Republican primary and corporate campaign cash.
Campus gun bill dies in committee, where it should Despite incessant arguing about citizens' rights under the Second Amendment, enough in the GOP have the common sense to see guns, other than those carried by law enforcement officers, have no place at public universities and college campuses.
Conscience law change creates more problems The entire conscience law, which grants health care professionals the right to abstain from doing their jobs if they morally object to the course of treatment, should be repealed because it puts the burden on patients to shop for health care providers when seeking legally available services.
However generous the terms, its still surrender A bill that sets rules for Idaho's closed GOP primary offers moderates only a few concessions. Voters, acting through the initiative process, would have to demand a "top two" primary if they want a more open primary election process.
Talk all you like; many lawmakers just aren't listening For those who asked their legislators to consider raising the cigarette tax in order to help plug $50 million worth of holes in the state budget, it's not that their lawmakers couldn't hear them. They didn't want to.
Idaho's bitter division over education won't go away anytime soon It's a fair bet that, at the moment, at least as many Idahoans oppose the Luna reform initiative as support it and that this year's controversy over education reform will linger well into next year, if not longer.
Closed primary still bad idea While the Republican Party may well have the legal right to close the most critical election in the state every two years to its own registered members, it's not the American way.
Idaho's hidden costs of 'hold-the-line' politics Despite claims from lawmakers that they held the line on spending so citizens won't have to pay more in taxes, Idahoans will in fact be paying the hidden costs of the 2011 legislative session: higher property taxes for local schools, higher college tuition bills, and higher Medicaid co-pays.
When voters are not in a party mood As elected officials and GOP activists hash over a closed primary bill during the final days of the 2011 legislative session, GOP partisans should keep in mind that while the Republican brand is strong in Idaho, it is not so bulletproof that the party can afford to alienate some 37 percent of the people who call themselves independents.
Wolf deal would be great news for Idaho A settlement has been reached between wildlife advocates and the feds to lift endangered species protections for gray wolves in Idaho and Montana.
Governor-in-waiting impresses as Otter stand-in Lieutenant governor Brad Little's humor, broad-mindedness, smarts and experience in politics and business made him the odds-on pick to succeed Otter in 2015.
Legislature 2011: a full menu of unsavory ideas From the annual attempt to spike Canyon County emissions tests to the misguided library Internet obscenity bill, the 2011 Legislature has been a veritable buffet of unsavory and poorly prepared ideas.
A legal mastermind needs no attorney general Rep. Vito Barbieri didn't like the legal advice the state attorney's general office offered on his health care nullification bill, so he sponsored a bill to have the Legislature hire two of its own lawyers.
The endless lunacy of Idaho politics Idaho politics is a never-ending drumbeat of incomprehensible decisions, and the latest "thump" is the state Legislature's burning ambition to empower almost anyone to openly carry a gun on a college campus, writes William Brock.
Local control and other Idaho myths Despite all the talk about the importance of local control - and even as they battle intrusions by the federal government - a majority of lawmakers still think they know better than city council members, mayors and elected county officials.
Bill would help Idaho battle gang activity A bill working its way through the Legislature would give law enforcement and prosecutors more weapons to use in the battle against gangs in Idaho.
A modest proposal Former Idaho State University professor Wayne Show argues that lawmakers should consider expanding the number of public places that people are allowed to carry guns: to the state Capitol building itself.
Otter and Luna's mirage Increasing technology in the schools is a laudable goal. Merit pay is long overdue. But these need to be paid for, and taking $420 million out of the account used to pay teacher salaries over the next six years is not the appropriate path forward.
And now, politics comes first Under the revised education reform bill passed by the Senate Education Committee, Superintendent Tom Luna gets to market himself as a transformer of education, while local school trustees get stuck making the unpopular decisions.
Idaho, Montana aren't suited to manage wolves While wolves have recovered to the point that their protections under the Endangered Species Act could be removed, it should only be done with a responsible management plan that ensures the long term viability of the animal in the region - and it is questionable whether the governments of Idaho and Montana are capable of that.
Lawsuit-limiting bill exacts too heavy a cost A bill requiring parties opposed to megaloads being transported on Idaho highways to first fork over a heavy wad of cash to gain access to courthouses is being sold as a fix for frivolous lawsuits, but its real intent is to provide cover for the state the next time it decides that public participation is frivolous.
Son of Luna is more clone then progeny Even though the revised education reform bill is less directive about how local districts allocate money for teachers and classroom instruction, over the next six years, it will still remove up to $420 million from the account Idaho uses to pay teacher salaries.
What you don't know can hurt you House Bill 269 would define nutrient management as a trade secret and keep the plans out of the public domain. That's wrong, because information about waste management is important to protecting the environment and public health.
Sharing in the pain It's time for lawmakers in Boise to take a serious look at repealing the production exemption, argue Tea Party activists Ray Rammell and Tony LaRosa.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter won't break bread with reporters Gov. Otter becomes the first governor since the 1970s to refuse to meet with the Idaho Press Club during the annual legislative session. House Speaker Lawerence Denney sympathized: "He's tired of getting beat up."
A bad choice, but the others are worse The House voted to scrounge up $15 million to fill in its budget holes by putting off this year's $10 grocery tax relief for another year.
Reaping the whirlwind from the Great Tax Shift The Legislature in 2006 cut local property taxes and shifted most education funding to the state, promising long-term tax relief for property owners. But the relief has been short-lived, as many local school districts have passed supplemental property tax levies to make up for dwindling state support.
Voting and accountability A tool for citizens to follow the actions of those elected to represent them — and ultimately, to hold them accountable - is the Idaho Freedom Foundation website.
Big Oil megaloads tread on Idaho values Megaloads have no place in the Clearwater and Lochsa corridor. They don't fit, and they prevent motorists from using the roads, and citizens and recreationists from enjoying the rivers and scenic areas.
New education bill better Revised bill gives locally elected officials the flexibility to decide whether to cut teaching positions, reduce teacher pay or cut the number of days certified personnel have contact with students.
It's the wrong time for Idaho to impose a time out on wind power The House State Affairs Committee should reject a two-year moratorium on new wind projects. And the Legislature should continue a tax rebate that encourages renewable energy projects.
Colleges are among the few places where firearms don't belong Allowing guns on college campuses is a solution looking to solve a non-existent problem, argues former Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb.
Revamped Luna education reform still has its flaws The revised version of Superintendent Luna's education reform plan basically kicks the can down the road. It pushes back the start of the technology initiative and hands decisions about laying off teachers and raising classes sizes to local school boards.
A warning from the A.G.? Whatever. Some state legislators have convinced themselves they know more about the law than state Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, and have ignored his office's advice on bills ranging from abortion to nullification.
Try as they might, legislators can't repeal illness To save $35 million, the House Health and Welfare Committee's Republicans want to cut Medicaid services to needy adults.
Longer, later liquor store hours make sense With the state budget picture for next fiscal year looking dismal, Idaho needs every penny it can get. Allowing some state liquor stores to stay open later could help bring in up to $2 million in new revenue.
Recall vote system in Idaho set up perfectly Recall elections are a good tool for Idaho because they help keep politicians honest. And the state has them structured in such a way that it would take a truly outraged public to oust an official from office.
Debating the wind Two bills seek to address conflicting desires for, on the one hand, more renewable energy, satisfied in part by large wind farms and, on the other hand, local control over whether and where wind turbines are built.
Redistricting will also shape 2012 elections The 2012 legislative elections could be a whole new ballgame. Not only will it be the first election after this year's education overhaul as well as the first with candidates from the closed GOP primary, it will be the first based on newly drawn districts that account for the growth of Idaho's urban areas.
Lawmakers chip away at Idaho's most vulnerable The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 8-2 along party lines to cut more than $34 million from the state's Medicaid program.
Idaho legislature won't take no for an answer Legislators have sought advisory opinions about several pieces of proposed legislation during the current session from Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, and then have pretty much done what they wanted to do, heedless of the legal consequences.
Guns on campus jibes with Constitution The vast majority of those who legally own guns in Idaho do so very responsibly and respectfully. Allowing more of these people to have guns on college campuses dovetails with the spirit of the state Constitution.
The intent is good, the mandate is troubling Idaho lawmakers want libraries to block Internet porn. But a bill that would require them to do just that imposes a vague and unfunded mandate on the state's local libraries.
An annual, misguided political turf war When it's done right, urban renewal fosters economic development, to the benefit of local and state government. Lawmakers should restrain their impulse to meddle in local governance.
Closed primary or open, Idaho GOP steers right U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill's decision to allow the GOP to close its primary elections to party members only will likely have little to no effect on the Idaho party's steady march toward more conservative candidates and officeholders.
Averting a health care meltdown There's no way to put a positive spin on the $34.4 million cuts in state spending for Medicaid that are likely to be approved by the Legislature. But it could have been a whole lot worse, and state Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, is a big reason why it isn't.
Disagree on issues with respect Just because lawmakers occasionally vote against the wishes of some of their constituents doesn't mean they haven't taken their constituents' views into consideration.
Idaho's Medicaid crisis in the making It isn't enough to simply patch up this year's budget with gut-wrenching cuts or a politically unpopular tax increase. Lawmakers must examine the long-term sustainability of Medicaid.
Budget cuts are more deliberate than deliberative House Republicans aren't cutting public schools, health care for the poor or higher education because they have to. They're doing it because they want to.
Ready, fire, aim: the guns-on-campus bill Bill that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses raises safety and logistical issues.
We won't pay for education? Says who? The argument that Idahoans won't pay new taxes has been made so often in this year's public education debate that it has graduated, unchallenged, into conventional wisdom. But this week voters around the state said 'Yes' to paying more property taxes to help fund their local schools.
Guns on campus will needlessly put people at risk Instead of allowing guns on college campuses, the state should focus on preventing violence and having proper safeguards and plans in place should an emergency arise.
Shooting down House Bill 222 The House bill allowing students and faculty to carry guns everywhere on Idaho college and university campuses except the dorms is a solution in search of a problem: there's no public safety need for it.
Teacher merit pay: an unfunded The Idaho House approved a merit pay plan for teachers but has not approved money to fund the program.
Otter fails in comparing golf balls to pine cones The Governor's exaggerated comparison between the numbers of people who golf in a day and the numbers who use Idaho's wilderness in a year demonstrate not only a reckless disregard for the facts but a willful misunderstanding of how much money wilderness actually contributes to the state's businesses and tax coffers.
Recall is the wrong tool but not the only one For those angry over Tom Luna's education reforms, a more manageable and effective strategy than trying to recall the Superintendent of Public Instruction would be to organize a voter referendum on the legislation.
Campuses should be about learning, not about fear Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, wants to prevent Idaho college and universities from banning guns on campus, including at football and basketball games. But at some point, common sense has to moderate the absolutest view of the right of bear arms. Firearms should not be welcome in bars, churches, schools, or college campuses.
Encourage students to be civically involved Students who walked out of their classes to protest Supt. Luna's education reform plan show they can be civically involved and have the power to organize. Regardless of how you feel about Luna or his plan, you have to appreciate that.
Another slapdash step to The Idaho House of Representatives approved the first piece of Supt. Tom Luna's reform plan by voting to rewrite the teachers' collective bargaining procedures.
Go on: be a janitor or a Walmart greeter Instead of urging Idaho's young people to "go on" to college, perhaps the Albertson Foundation would do well to focus its efforts on the Legislature. At the rate lawmakers are disassembling Idaho's colleges and universities, there won't be any place in Idaho for its students to "go on" to.
Boise loves roads and prisons; people not so much The time has come to stop living in Idaho's cowboy past, and to start creating a sustainable future for our government and ourselves.
Teen pregnancy out of control in south-central Idaho Teen pregnancy is a four-alarm public health emergency in south-central Idaho. But it's also a moral crisis, both in terms of lives ruined and the resources it drains from public institutions at a time when their budgets are being cut.
Defending the Constitution Nullification advocates need to stop and think about what they were really proposing, writes retired business executive Ed Marohn.
Standing with Jefferson Idaho's legislators have every right to nullify unconstitutional federal laws, writes real estate broker Peter Young.
Wyoming should act now to get in on wolf legislation Idaho and Montana are marching ahead with legislation tucked inside a federal funding bill to give wolf management back to state officials, once again leaving Wyoming behind, unless Gov. Matt Mead takes a proactive approach and gets legislators to revise the state's unacceptable wolf plan.
Why should Blaine County have to pay for legislators' error? Requiring Blaine County School District patrons to pay for the consequences of the Legislature's lousy decision-making five years ago - when it shifted a large portion of school funding from local property taxes to state sales taxes - is simply wrong.
Nullification: Senators' vote right Canyon County Sens. Curt McKenzie, Patti Anne Lodge and John McGee proved themselves to be on the right side of political discourse - and the Constitution - when they voted to kill the so-called health care "nullification” bill.
In Idaho, when is a Republican sufficiently Republican? A federal judge rules that Idaho's GOP has the right to close its primaries to party members only, but GOP Secretary of State Ben Ysursa wonders what was broken that needed fixing, given the party's electoral success over the last 20 years.
Weaken day care regulations? Not on your child's life The Idaho House passed a measure which would significantly weaken day care regulation in Idaho by allowing too few caregivers to look after too many kids.
HIgher education funding is the budget crisis that goes ignored in Idaho Without visible and vocal champions, similar to what constituencies for K-12 schools and Medicaid services have, higher education will continue to suffer a systematic and seemingly perennial dismantling at the hands of legislative budget writers.
Speaker Denney picks foolish fight with Idaho tribes House Speaker Lawerence Denney claims his proposed bill to collect tax on the sales of cigarettes by Indian retailers is a matter of fairness to non-tribal retailers, but it's really an attempt to take revenue from Idaho tribes and place it in the state's treasure chest.
Like it or not, students have a right to speak their minds The succession of walkouts and demonstrations at public high school schools in the Magic Valley and beyond over Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education reform initiative shows that the toxic divisions over this issue have energized those who the changes would affect most.
Will closed primaries help, or hurt, Idaho's GOP? U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill gave the Idaho GOP exactly what it asked for and tossed out the state's open primary law.
Luna takes bold leaps in pairs If teachers are judged, rewarded or even employed based upon their students' performance, then they will make a more serious effort to make the curriculum succeed, argues columnist Michael Costello.
Denney picks one tax fight, runs from another House Speaker Lawerence Denney is all gung-ho to increase taxes on tribal cigarette sales, but refuses to release a bill that would merely explore joining a coalition of states looking into collecting sales tax on goods sold online.
Time for Idaho to sell empty governor's mansion No governor has ever lived in the Boise mansion J.R. Simplot donated to the state in 2004. It's time to stop paying for maintenance and upkeep on the mansion and past time to get that property back on the tax rolls so that it's bringing in money to Idaho - not wasting it.
Idaho legislators' priorities just plain stink There are two bills steaming through the Idaho Legislature that will have a considerable impact on quality of life and education in some of the state's communities: The misnamed expansion of the state's Right to Farm law would make it so onerous to fight industrial farms that few would have the stomach to do so; the other bill would remove counties' ability to maintain a permanent school levy, creating havoc in some districts that depend heavily on such levies.
A texting 'ban' that isn't really a ban A proposed House bill that neither fully bans texting while driving nor provides any deterrent to drivers who may be tempted to text while operating a motor vehicle should be sent back to re-write.
The Idaho Division of Unsolicited Advice Rep. Marv Hagedorn's argument against an unemployment benefits bill - "It's time to lead the horse away from the trough and make him go to work" - was both illogical and insensitive.
Gov. 'Long ears' Jeers to Gov. Otter for berating the Feds' top-down, one-sided approach to public lands management while proposing a schools reform package with many of the same characteristics. Cheers to five Senate Republicans who helped kill a bill nullifying national health care reform.
Legislature should represent equally Whatever plan Idaho's redistricting commission comes up with will be met with resistance. Lawsuits probably will be filed. But the panel has an obligation to put equal representation above geographical convenience, political dynasties and good ol' boy networks.
Idaho governor's opinion on economic impact of wilderness falls a little short In his remarks to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C., this week, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter downplayed the importance wilderness plays to his state's economy, saying that more people played the Coeur d’Alene Resort's golf course than visited wilderness, although a close review of actual numbers don't support the governor's stance.
Will Luna's overhaul rise from the 'dead?' Supt. Tom Luna disputes reports that a key piece of his reform proposal - to slash costs by cuttting teacher jobs and increasing class sizes - is dead in the Idaho Senate. But he needs to do a much better job selling his new business model for schools if he hopes to resurrect his proposal from the dead.
Supporting limited government Efforts to pass a cigarette tax increase during this year's legislative session should be rejected, writes Wayne Hoffman.
A step backward Idaho's legislators ought to study the history before they change how school districts negotiate teacher contracts, writes former Idaho Education Association executive director Jim Shackelford.
A lasting legacy, built the right way By combining an even temper with a solid work ethic, former U.S. Senator Jim McClure became one of the most accomplished and influential elected officials in Idaho's history.
Idahoans don't get more genuine than Jim McClure Former United States senator Jim McClure was, in every sense, the real deal for Idaho. He will be missed.
In Idaho, education reform should start at the top If Idaho wants a politician running the schools, turn that job over to the governor. If they want a professional administrator, have the State Board of Education hire a state schools superintendent.
Lots of money at stake in education reform - and too few answers Concerns about the class size and technology provisions of Supt. Luna's reform plan led to the bill being called back to the Senate Education committee. The proposal to funnel millions of taxpayer dollars to private-sector providers of online courses raises serious ethical issues as well.
Bridging the chasm As the Idaho Legislature wrestles with bills that would change the way public schools educate our children, the chasm separating the general public from those entrenched in the ongoing battles seems to be widening.
Blame economy for school cuts Supt. Tom Luna is not the enemy. It's a bad economy, the result of Wall Street running out of control. The state's chief educational officer is merely trying to make the best of a bad situation he did not create.
Branden Durst: There isn't one solution to Idaho's budget shortfall Rather than focusing exclusively on the numbers in the budget balance sheet, Idaho's lawmakers should start thinking about how to change it altogether by looking at alternative solutions to state services (expenditures) and tax collections (revenue), argues former Rep. Branden Durst.
Tom Luna: We must change Idaho's education system The Idaho Senate took a good first step last week by approving bills that reform teacher pay and workplace rules. Now it must finish the job and approve the piece that modifies classroom practices, argues Supt. Tom Luna.
Too many questions remain unanswered on Idaho's education reform Concerns about key aspects of Supt. Tom Luna's education reform package, as well as the rushed timetable and the lack of consultation before its unveiling, suggest that the brakes should be put on its implementation.
Myopia kept Idaho Education Association from seeing the big picture Blinded by enmity for Tom Luna from the day he was first elected in 2006, the Idaho Education Association focused nearly all its efforts on removing him from office in last year's election rather than offering support to friendly candidates in legislative races.
Senate committee did the right thing by putting an end to nullification All five GOP senators who voted against the House-passed nullification bill are on record as opposing the federal health care bill; they argued there are better - and more constitutional - ways to express that opposition.
On Wisconsin: Otter backs a fellow governor Idaho's Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter sides with a fellow Republican governor, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, in the GOP's attempt to emasculate labor unions.
That's funny Harwood, try comedy full-time Rep. Dick Harwood has introduced a bill that would effectively eliminate lawsuits against the state and its megaloads policy.
Kindergarten important to young child's development Rep. Steven Thayn wants to save state money by restricting kindergarten to at-risk students. But Thayn's idea is bad is because kindergarten is much more than just day care. It provides many important learning experiences for young children at an extremely crucial age.
Taxes are a non-starter, but its only February As the reality of further deep cuts to education and Medicaid sinks in, lawmakers may eventually be persuaded that a revenue increase, such as a boost to the cigarette tax, is the better bet.
Is Albertson's Foundation not what it seemed? The Albertson Foundation used to be known for funding education efforts to improve the lives of children in Idaho. Now, after revelations about connections between the nonprofit foundation and the for-profit online education industry, its reputation for altruism on education issues is taking a hit.
Speaker Denney, Right-to-Farm and the arrogance of power Speaker Denney's "Right to Farm" bill could invalidate any existing county laws regulating confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and any other agricultural activity, and doesn't give enough weight to the interests of non-agricultural residents.
Why does every issue in the Legislature have to be partisan? There have been stretches in Idaho's past when political opponents wouldn't work with each other, but they've been the exception. Viral polarization may be the stock in trade of Washington, D.C., but it's not the Idaho way. What will it take for Idaho legislators to get that message?
Getting everybody on board Change is coming to Idaho's public schools. Luna's plan will be part of that. But if Idaho's Republican hierarchy is truly interested in putting students first, it will slow down the legislative train and make sure everybody has a chance to come on board.
The year of the rally. Who can protest? Neither public rallies nor telephone town halls offer both sides of the budget story, or a full representation of the problems facing the Legislature. But if these events engage Idahoans in this process, then a purpose is served. Involvement always beats apathy - especially this year.
Online educators love Luna. He returns the affection. Supt. Tom Luna didn't campaign on anything remotely resembling his scheme to transfer Idaho tax dollars from Idaho teachers working in Idaho classrooms to online education outfits located out of state operating with a bottom line.
Tom Luna may have well failed Poli Sci 101 Superintendent Luna's failure to talk to stakeholders before announcing his education reform plan has resulted in a school system that from top to bottom doubts his motives.
Luna's non-Idaho ideas State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna ought to come clean about where the details of his 'Students Come First' plan actually originated, writes high school teacher Juli Stricklan.
Idaho Legislature unfriending lots of folks This year, lawmakers are only watching out for those with money, who don't need an education, who aren't disabled, who are straight and who don't live along a scenic state highway. That leaves a lot of Idahoans out in the cold.
Joint Finance Appropriations Committee shores up CAMP just when its needed JFAC's approval of $2.46 million for the Eastern Snake River Plain Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan was the right decision.
After botching Hart's case, Denney punishes you Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney so badly botched the task of disciplining reprobate Rep. Phil Hart that he submerged the bar for ethical conduct throughout the state.
Compassionate politics Conservatives took the November election results as a mandate. But would Idahoans have so empowered the political right if they had heard Danny and Shirley Lukers' story, or how budget cuts will impact thousands of Idahoans like them?
Gay rights bill deserves hearing As of this year, 21 states and the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. It's an issue that's moving across the country and it deserves a hearing in Idaho.
For the sticks, Luna's reform means cut-rate schools Supt. Tom Luna's education reform plan would widen the gap between Idaho's smallest, poorest and rural school districts - and those larger, urban networks with more resources.
Tough decisions ahead on Tom Luna's school reform However much Tom Luna would like it to be so, the superintendent's entire reform package isn't a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. Idaho may not be ready for all of his ideas, and we hope the Senate and the House understand that.
Urban renewal bills worth serious look A series of bills to rein in the power of urban renewal districts could gain significant traction this year.
Cheers and Jeers Cheers to U.S. Senator Mike Crapo for leading the way on federal deficit reduction efforts. Jeers to House Speaker Lawerence Denney for new ethics rules that keep charges against members secret.
Wyoming governor takes right approach with wolves Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead has taken a stand on a number of issues with the federal government where its interest diverged with the state's, but Mead is wise not to join Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer's defiant, ill-advised, not to mention illegal, stance on wolves.
Collaborators Cheers to the Nez Perce tribe and local officials for reaching an agreement on cross-jurisdictional policing issues. Jeers to the Idaho State Board of Education for providing no oversight or input on Supt. Luna's reform proposals.
Drug abuse treatment programs save Idaho money Drug treatment programs may cost money in the short term, but in the long run the state could save money with fewer people incarcerated and a more productive citizenry while providing for a higher quality of living for its residents.
Down and dirty in Idaho school reform debate Rancor on both sides of the debate over Supt. Luna's education reform measures could ultimately doom their implementation. School reform will not succeed unless it has broad support among Idahoans and the stakeholders in public education.
Getting it right The Idaho school reform debate has been allowed to degenerate into a schoolyard tug-of-war, and that's a luxury we cannot afford.
A new story line derails ed reform debate Vandalism and verbal abuse directed at Supt. Luna's property and family members have distracted people from debating the real issues involved in his education reform proposals.
Its a miracle: The non-reduceable is reduced However good it looked on paper, the mega-load project has run into one time-consuming obstacle after another. Now the oil companies are reducing the load sizes so that the mining and refining equipment can be transported on interstate highways instead of Idaho's mountainous two-lane US Highway 12.
Victimizing our neighbors Raising the tobacco tax would only add to the burdens of those already shackled with a terrible addiction, writes retired college professor Robert Primrose.
Let's resolve education dispute sans harassment The feud between Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and much of the state's education establishment - The Idaho Education Association, in particular - is now a no-holds-barrred, bare-knuckles brawl. It's getting ugly and unbecoming, and it needs to stop. Now.
Lawmakers adopt the honor system New House ethics rules unanimously approved this week tighten up some provisions, but bring a new level of secrecy to the process.
Lunch takes study; revising schools does not Why are legislators in such a rush to revolutionize the biggest - and arguably the most vital - service state government delivers, the education of Idaho's children?
Reform with a cleaver State Superintendent Tom Luna's education plan is wrong for parents, students and taxpayers, writes Fremont School District teacher Lane Owens.
No more business as usual What matters is not the size of the class but the quality of the teacher leading it, writes former GOP legislator Darrel Deide.
An 'ethical quandary' for the Idaho Legislature Proposed bill that would restrict Idaho residents from filing ethics complaints against legislators is a bad idea.
This year, local government's share of sales tax money is fair game To deal with the continuing budget shortfall, it's time for legislators to go into the barn and bring out the last of the sacred cows - the chunk of state sales tax revenue that goes to cities and counties.
Republicans and their love affair with fetuses The GOP recently introduced a bill known as the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," which would eliminate tax breaks for abortions and permanently prohibit taxpayer funding for abortions in all federal programs.
Hart apologized. Leave the poor man alone In an earlier time and place, House speakers would not have waited for an Ethics Committee to coax a confession out of Rep. Phil Hart for not paying taxes or not paying a fine for stealing timber off state lands. But this is the Speaker Denney era.
CAFO bill mixes state expertise, local control Proposed bill on siting confined animal feeding operations provides a good first step toward managing CAFOs at the county level.
Governor wrong on liquor sales Gov. Otter says overseeing hard liquor is the proper role of government, because Idaho's Constitution says it's the duty of public officials to help promote temperance.
Nullification - Idaho's arrogant, foolish gamble Legislators are gambling with the health insurance of 223,000 of their most vulnerable constituents in order to continue an unnecessary and legally flawed crusade against federal health care reform.
Noise in Boise drowns out Idaho Boise State University's latest public policy survey suggests there's a major disconnect between citizens and their state legislators.
Party of Lincoln is not the Party of Lincoln By endorsing a bill that would have the state declare null and void the national health care reform package Congress passed last year, the Idaho GOP is showing more fealty to the secessionist Jefferson Davis than to either the Constitution or its principal defender, Abraham Lincoln.
Ed reform shouldn't be rushed through Lawmakers must take the time to understand the potential ramifications of implementing Supt. Tom Luna's drastic overhaul of Idaho's K-12 education system, even if it means tabling the proposal for a year.
Short-term cuts meet long-term upheaval Senator Steven Thayn is using the current budget crisis as justification to cut kindergarten programs.
Keep'em home Jeers to Rep. Thayn's proposal to gut funding for kindergarten programs. Cheers to Boise State University for finding the funds needed to conduct a Public Policy survey this year after being forced into hiatus last year.
Without a Governor, Idaho's mansion is a money pit J.R. Simplot donated his mansion in the Boise hills to Idaho to be used as a home for the governor, but it sits empty, costing the state $120,000 annually.
Nullification bill puts Idaho Medicaid dollars in jeopardy The legislature's nullification initiative jeopardizes health care services for 223,198 of Idaho's poorest, sickest and oldest citizens as well as for a Medicaid provider network responsible for at least 25,000 Idaho jobs.
Business groups could be split on Luna's plan If any tax increases are needed to implement Superintendent Tom Luna's education reforms, it could create a fissure among those business groups willing to support a targeted increase and those, such as the recently polled small business owners, adamantly opposed to any increase.
Dialing back public kindergarten a dumb idea Rep. Steven Thayn has proposed drastically cutting what the state now appropriates to kindergarten programs, on the grounds that early childhood education is the responsibility of parents, not taxpayers.
Spice, bath salts bills Two House bills take a smart, forward-thinking, proactive approach in dealing with the synthetic drugs known as Spice and bath salts.
District superintendents must also be highly qualified One piece of Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's sweeping education reform package would allow school districts to hire superintendents without traditional academic backgrounds or experience. This is a bad idea.
The House's wheeler-dealer is at it again Rep. Phil Hart traded away a committee vice chairmanship to make two ethics complaints go away, but the deal doesn't provide a lot of closure on either side.
Mark Rey finds a new career advising groups on conservation measures Mark Rey, who served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for natural resources and environment during President G.W. Bush's administration, is now advising the Idaho Conservation League on a bill to protect the Boulder-White Clouds and is helping Trout Unlimited on an initiative to clean up abandoned mines. A column by Rocky Barker.
CIEDRA Idaho's last, best chance to direct use of Boulder-White Clouds U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has worked for more than a decade on his Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, which would designate 332,000 acres in the state's Boulder-White Clouds region as wilderness, but also releases 131,000 acres of wilderness study area from such designation, clearing the way for those acres to be managed for multiple use, and this legislation deserves the support of Idaho's federal lawmakers, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, and indeed, all Idahoans.
Taxpayers should not fund school labor union duties The legislature should pass a bill to prohibit school districts from paying teachers for union-related duties.
Four reasons to fear health care cuts Idaho is acting too fast to balance a budget in a way that will increase costs, displace the vulnerable, and take us backward as a society.
Beware DEQ budget cuts that bring in the feds Further cuts to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality could bring a most unwanted consequence: force the federal government to step in and take on the oversight and enforcement of environmental regulatory programs in the state that DEQ personnel are no longer able to do themselves.
Texting ban sparks heated debate A new statute to ban texting while driving in Idaho could save lives, but there are many behaviors that cause distracted driving - should all of them be banned by law?
Light a fire for education A large percentage of Idaho's high school graduates are not prepared adequately for college. Supt. Luna's reform proposals may or may not address this gap, but we'll never know unless politicians and educators stop fighting and start looking for concrete ways to help educate students better.
Idaho's budge crisis - a paucity of dollars - and a shortage of political will When it comes to the tax code - and its well-documented and much-studied ideosyncrasies - no one wants to bring up the topic. In the face of a shortfall, this demonstrates a deficit in political will.
Political courage stops at the speaker's door Idaho should start moving toward collecting the taxes it is already owed from online sales, but it likely won't happen this year after House Speaker Lawrence Denney waylaid a bill that would have started the process.
A deficit gut check for the freshman class U.S. House Republicans face the prospect of making large spending cuts in popular programs. Also, even if "megaload" critics haven't been adept at political niceties, the public still has the right to a say over the fate of the controversial oversized truck shipments of oil equipment starting to wind their way along north-central Idaho's US 12.
Idaho should not be in the booze business Despite Governor Otter's libertarian, hands-off stance on most issues of government control, he still refuses to endorse or even consider an idea to privatize liquor sales in the Gem State despite a recommendation from a legislative oversight office.
Idaho House won't raise the cost of breaking the law Jeers to the Idaho House for voting down a fee on state felons to help fund the Peace Officers Standards and Training academy. Cheers to lawmakers for moving to restore funding that the Idaho State Police receives from the state's 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax.
Chucking rocks in glass houses Melaleuca Inc. certainly has the right to take out paid ads in support of Supt. of Luna's public school reform plan, but its criticisms of the Idaho Education Association and unions in general are off-base.
Idaho needs to know tax commission will be fair Idaho's large budget shortfall will put a premium on whatever money the state does take in and place even more importance on the Idaho Tax Commission - an agency that hasn't exactly had a stellar track record of late.
Cheers & Jeers Jeers to Gov. Otter for not doing his homework on the state's budget deficit before he presented his fiscal plan to the public. Cheers to a former eastern Idaho legislator and current Fish and Game Commissioner for filling in for an absent lawmaker.
An excellent example In 2005, the Idaho Legislature passed a 6 percent sales tax rebate for alternative energy developers which will cost Idaho $47 million over the next two years.
The doom-and-gloom case for school reform Ads placed by the Albertson Foundation and Idaho businesses that endorse Luna's school reform plan raise eyebrows among parents and teachers.
Idaho looks to cats for attitude on obeying laws At a time when there are many serious issues before the Idaho Legislature, the hot topic is nullification. They want to make sure that if the federal government tells Idaho to do something it doesn't want to do, well, Idaho just won't do it.
Why Idaho won't privatize liquor sales Liquor revenue has developed into the most recession-proof source of income Idaho state government has. For taxpayers, Idaho's liquor monopoly is an unalloyed blessing. The system isn't broken, and it doesn't need fixing.
The last word - for now? Let's hope so The Idaho Legislature should focus on its own in-house problems — starting with a growing 2011-12 shortfall, and a proposed K-12 overhaul — and let the lawyers and the courts sort out health care reform.
And now, for a word from our sponsors... Director Nancy Merrill is thinking about seeking corporate sponsors to replace dwindling state funding for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Imagination not needed to see Ringo is on right path Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow has introduced a bill that would eliminate several major sales tax exemptions, reduce the overall sales tax rate and raise an estimated $374 million in revenue.
Things go from bad to risable in Idaho house House State Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher says he's leaning against allowing a hearing on legislation that would amend Idaho’s year-old "conscience law" to ensure that patients' living wills and advanced care directives are followed.
Meet the state monopoly Idaho leaders love: retail liquor sales Privatization of liquor sales is feasible and could raise revenue, according to a new study, but Idaho's leaders continue to prefer temperance over revenue and will likely hang on to state control.
Denny - an online retailer's best friend Last week House Speaker Lawrence Denney sidelined a bill that would take one tiny step in the direction of collecting the taxes Idahoans already owe on Internet purchases.
How could Otter's budget be off by $150 million? Last week, Otter and legislative leaders announced that the hole would be $150 million larger than anticipated. Unless the Legislature and the governor are willing to come up with a significant new sources of revenue, that means last year's $128 million cuts in public schools were just the beginning.
Text your legislator on this, but park your car first Idaho legislators are again considering a ban on texting and talking on handheld cell phones while driving.
Health care law repeal valid Legislators may indeed be making nothing more than a statement if they pass a bill to nullify the federal health care law, but it's a useful one.
Idaho's new revenue numbers turn a grim budget picture even grimmer The now-estimated $185 million budget shortfall will mean either further drastic cuts to core services such as education and Medicaid, or some form of tax increase.
Gov. Butch Otter's blown-up budget empowers lawmakers A larger than originally estimated shortfall of $185 million is sending budget hawks back into the fray to find programs to trim more, or to cut altogether.
It's high times in the Idaho legislature Rep. Tom Trail has proposed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Idaho.
Idaho's GOP oath breakers Fifteen Republican legislators knowingly violated their sworn oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States when they voted to support a bill that would nullify the federal health care reform law.
Cheers & Jeers Cheers to Idaho Attorney General for his forthright legal opinion on the House's nullification efforts and to the House Revenue and Taxation committee for voting to print a bill that would allow Idaho to join the nationwide effort to tax online sales. Jeers to former Gov. Kempthorne for campaigning on the taxpayer's dime when he was Secretary of the Interior.
Legislators swap one windmill for another In defiance of two centuries of precedent, lawmakers insist upon pursuing the legal non-starter of "nullification," looking to unilaterally void the federal health care reform law.
Luna's plan disrespectful to teachers Supt. Luna says his proposals for school reform are based on a business model. But successful businesses would not institute policies so heavily weighted against their primary employees.
Disloyalty Jeers to the 15 GOP members of the Idaho House State Affairs Committee who voted in favor of a bill to nullify the federal health care law. Cheers to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden for telling those constitutional rebels why nullification is a wrong-headed idea.
INL not opening door to more toxic waste The agreement that Gov. Otter signed with the Department of Energy only allows INL to bring limited research quantities of used commercial fuel to the lab for examination and testing, argues INL director John Grossenbacher.
Otter's ire at feds over wilderness justified Gov. Otter’s latest row with the feds is over an Obama administration plan to allow the Interior Department to make millions of undeveloped acres in the U.S. eligible for federal wilderness protection.
School reform - Obama style, and Idaho style President Obama's proposal to prepare 100,000 new teachers in the next decade conflicts with Superintendent Tom Luna's education reform plan that hinges upon cutting 770 teaching jobs over two years. Despite that key difference, in many areas, Obama's education agenda isn't far removed from Idaho's agenda.
Taking care of (personal) business in Boise Former legislators who get and keep state administrative jobs for at least 42 months draw pensions as if they'd spent all their years at the administrative job.
Loss of ag research hurt's Magic Valley's economy The decline of agricultural research and Extension means significant erosion in the services that Magic Valley ag uses to make everyday decisions about production and strategic planning.
Judge not Those that want to increase the tax on tobacco may want to consider a few other 'sins,' such as eating fast food, playing dangerous sports, or engaging in corrupt behavior like viewing pornography or evading taxes.
An open process, and an open dialogue The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee allowed Idahoans a chance to come before it and testify about education funding. This week they'll have another chance, as JFAC takes testimony on health and welfare budgets. A new, annual tradition? It's certainly one worth keeping.
Idaho rides to the rescue - of lawyers The superfluous - and seemingly far-fetched - attempt to "nullify' federal health care reform will only be a winner for attorneys arguing the case in court. It's a sure loser for the taxpayers who foot the bill. Lawmakers should let existing lawsuits work their way through the courts and leave nullification to the history books.
Idaho school trustees balk at quick decision on education reform plan The Idaho School Boards Association says local trustees need more information before they can make a decision on Superintendent Luna's education reform plan.
Idaho's rickety bridge problem demands action A state task force on transportation funding determined in November that Idaho will need to come up with an additional $543 million annually to fully address its needs to maintain highways and bridges.
Legislature should end big pension perks for lawmakers Lawmakers should evaluate the fairness of allowing legislators, who only work part-time, to participate in the state's pension system and draw a full pension if they work a regular state government job for at least 42 months.
Legislature should end big pension perks for lawmakers Lawmakers should evaluate the fairness of allowing legislators, who only work part-time, to participate in the state's pension system and draw a full-time pension if they work a regular state government job for at least 42 months.
TIme to tune up and clean up Idaho politics Make Idaho government more responsive and more responsible. Allow voting by mail, create a "top two" primary system, require lawmakers and state officials to disclose how they make their money, stop paying lawmakers a state pension, and convene the legislature only once every two years.
Tax commission needs a tough guy, not a good guy, running things In the legislature where he has spent years making quiet political deals, Sen. Bob Geddes, newly appointed head of the Idaho State Tax Commission, is greatly respected and known as a statesman and resource. Unfortunately, these are not words descriptive of an agent of change.
The long shadow of cuts at Health and Welfare One in three Idaho residents received help from the state Division of Welfare in 2010, ranging from food stamps to Medicaid to Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled. Maybe Idahoans are more dependent on the government - and each other - than we'd like to think.
Idaho universities are a valuable investment A strong higher education system is essential to igniting Idaho's economic growth. Idaho's future depends on robust state investment in its colleges and universities, argues businessman William Gilbert.
Let's save money in schools, but not just to throw away The proposal to reform Idaho's educational system will waste millions of dollars on technology that is not only redundant, but directly harmful to the quality of education, argues teacher Adam Phillips.
Cutting state income rates would be a mistake Cutting corporate tax rates may seem to be a good strategy to attract new businesses to Idaho. But businesses considering expanding or locating in Idaho look at the education system as well as taxes. Further tax cuts - resulting in further cuts to education - would be a clear signal that Idaho is engaged in a race to the bottom in support for its education system.
JFAC's wildly popular budget hearing proves the wisdom of the Capitol renovation project. For the first time since the House-Senate budget-writing committee formed in 1919, it heard testimony from ordinary Idahoans. It was a smash hit.
Teachers' union content with business as usual The teachers' union offers only self-interested reasons for opposing Superintendent Luna's plan to reform Idaho's education system, argues former state senator Darrel Deide.
It's time to act State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna is to be congratulated for an aggressive, bold and innovative education reform agenda that, if given the opportunity, will improve Idaho schools for students, parents and taxpayers for generations to come, argues former state senator Darrel Deide.
Cheers and Jeers Jeers to the chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court for his remarks at a tea party political rally. Cheers to Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, who wants to remove the sales tax from fruits and vegetables.
Why is Idaho so willing to take the country's waste? Gov. Otter's decision to allow the storage of more than 21,000 pounds of highly radioactive waste at the Idaho National Laboratory, without getting anything in return from the U.S. Department of Energy, is wrong and should be reversed, argues former Gov. Cecil Andrus.
Otter's new deal: a sudden done deal Gov. Otter's decision to allow the U.S. Energy Department to ship limited quantities of used commercial reactor fuel into Idaho may be the correct one, but it should have been debated ahead of time rather than presented as a done deal.
Now comes the hard part for new tax commissioner The evidence is pretty clear that Idaho's way of administering taxes is too subjective and too arbitrary, and that the basic rules of accountability and transparency are too often neglected. That must change, whether the governor and the Legislature opt to keep the structure of the tax commission as it is, or change it fundamentally.
Can a political appointee fix Tax Commission? Appointing a professional number-cruncher as new chair of the Idaho Tax Commission doesn't guarantee a good result. But Gov. Otter's appointment of Sen. Robert Geddes, a politically well-connected lawmaker, calls into question the governor's commitment to reforming the Commission.
'Conscience' law might need some fine tuning To avoid further unintended consequences from the so-called "conscience law," the Legislature should tighten up the language to clearly state that the law does not apply to drugs which could be used to treat symptoms after procedures - such as abortions, stem-cell therapy, or emergency contraception - have already taken place.
Ya gotta love the annual budget battle in Boise The Legislature's Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee is once again low-balling revenue forecasts, which will mean setting a budget that cuts an additional $35 million from agencies already stripped bare.
Considering the common welfare Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter's State of the State speech showed he has little idea of what state government's constitutional role is.
A fresh start on Idaho's budgeting dilemmas Monday was Day One of an experiment bringing the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee together with committees that can help implement budget cuts, Health and Welfare and Education. Health and Welfare Director Dick Armstrong offered sobering context for proposed budget cuts.
It remains status quo for the Idaho Rs Idaho Republicans' questionable judgment - in staging elaborate inaugural events and in not prosecuting favoritism and tax cheating - should call into question their fitness to hold the reigns of power in Idaho.
Why is Idaho taxing apples, tomatoes and potatoes? Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, is sponsoring legislation that would exempt fruits and vegetables from the state's 6 percent sales tax. He would pay for it by capping the grocery tax credit at $90, instead of $100.
Luna's vision for education merits a good look, especially in these times Superintendent Luna's proposal for education looks promising, but there are still too many unresolved issues to know for sure. Parents, teachers, school administrators, business leaders and legislators should seek to learn more about Luna's plan and keep an open mind.
Pessimists hold sway, for now The Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee thinks taxes will yield about $70 million less than Gov. Butch Otter predicts. As a result, the FY 2012 budget could be even leaner than the one the governor proposed.
Luna plan deserves consideration It's still too early to endorse Supt. Luna's education reform plan, but there's enough promise that the Legislature needs to give the idea serious thought.
Details and consequences Gov. Otter's budget cuts will have real consequences - on K-12 students, on the mentally ill, on college students - but the governor's blueprint hides the details.
Mr. Spock: Tom Luna is holding on line two Supt. Luna claims a voter mandate for his education reform proposals. But while his ideas on teacher pay and tenure are long familiar, his proposals to increase class sizes and replace teachers with technology are brand new.
What's good - and not so good - about Luna's school reform initiative Supt. Luna's new sweeping reform initiative is still a work in progress. For all its good ideas, what the superintendent calls "the three pillars of a customer-driven education system" hasn't been road-tested by students, teachers, parents, administrators or school board members yet. And it needs to be.
Reform? Bring it on Superintendent Luna's education initiative has the potential to fix Idaho's unsustainable education system.
Idaho needs more than sermons, fond memories In his State of the State speech, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter harkened back to a simpler time, where families took care of each other, churches and volunteer groups fed the hungry and clothed the poor. Otter said he wants those times back, but wishing isn't leading, and he needs to make sure Idaho gets its share of federal Medicaid funds for the state's poor, sick and disabled, and to take steps to capture revenue where he can, like taxing cigarettes and online sales.
Luna's ed reform merits closer look Lawmakers would be wise to not dismiss Superintendent Luna's plan without serious study. The education budget is a significant percentage of what Idaho spends in a year, so paying attention to its details - and how dollars might be spent differently - is worth more than the usual platitudes and ideological table pounding.
Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna delivers his reform dream Superintendent Luna says adopting his plan to eliminate tenure and rely on technology will answer "the question of our time" about schools.
Education hinges on Medicaid budget On Monday, Gov. Butch Otter proposed his plan to provide a modest budget increase to public schools, but whether education gets any increase at all will depend on how lawmakers deal with the growing burden on Medicaid.
Luna, Otter pitch education overhaul Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and Gov. Butch Otter will present a plan for reforms to school finance, teacher tenure, digital learning and measurement of student performance.
Otter's State of the State was more of the same, but not much more Gov. Otter's fifth State of the State address leaned on familiar refrains: building the economy, limiting the size of government, embracing personal responsibility, opposing federal health care reform. But it was a generic speech, short on details and limited in vision.
And so it begins Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter's State of the State address emphasized general themes of rugged individualism and limited libertarianism, but contained few specifics about how he was proposing to close Idaho's estimated $340 million budget gap.
Otter's budget proposal creative - and doable Governor Otter's proposed FY2012 budget contains some serious pain for many state programs and the citizens they server, but compared to what might have been, Otter has crafted a creative - and achievable - map of the road ahead.
It's time for Idaho employers to step up Idaho's economy is on the upswing. It's evident in every index except employment. Idaho employers need to invest in Idaho's economy - and its future - and begin hiring again.
Otter right on lean budget Gov. Butch Otter, who set his sights on trimming the size of state government even before the deep recession hit, made it clear during his inaugural address Friday that he plans to keep a tight fist on spending even when better times return.
A listener's guide to the budget gap In his State of the State address, Governor Otter will have to recommend additional cuts to public schools, universities and Medicaid. Or a tax increase. Or both. It's that simple.
This legislative session is about the future, not just fiscal year 2012 There may not be much money to do anything ambitious - or much at all - this year, but decisions legislators make this session will decide what Idaho's future will look like after the 2012 fiscal year.
Tax Commission - three politicos, three takes State Tax Commission Chairman Royce Chigbrow resigned on Friday. Idaho's most influential lawmakers still aren't signaling whether the Chairman's resignation is only the first step toward a larger restructuring of the Commission.
In one-party politics, a party must police itself Idaho is essentially a one-party red state. With overwhelming clout comes the responsibility to clean up and avoid ethically questionable behavior.
Do it with taxes or with fees, but bring back Water Resources Water is key to the economy in south-central Idaho, and if the Department of Water Resources isn't given the money and personnel necessary to do its job, then the region is in trouble.
Promises to Keep Making New Year's resolutions for ourselves is no fun; making resolutions for other people is a rollicking good time. Resolution #1: Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter should resolve to begin looking out for the little guy.
Time for some Big Ideas from Idaho's reelected governor Since Governor Otter has nothing more to prove politically, he should change the tone of the budget and policy conversation, talking less about where Idaho is in 2011 and more about where it should be when he leaves office.
A snapshot of what's working - and what isn't - in Idaho's economy Idaho's personal income, exports, general fund revenues, and tourism are up over 2009 figures; job growth, gross state product, and jobless claims still have a ways to go before matching pre-recession levels.
No reason to change retirement system There are more pressing issues than PERSI on the legislative table this session. Lawmakers should think long and hard before they try to change something that doesn't need fixing.
Idaho Needs New Tax Commission Chief Some Idaho lawmakers are talking about reforming the commission next year, saying the agency's makeup of political appointees leaves it vulnerable to conflicts.
Ignoring History Condems Idaho to Repeat It Only people who didn't live through or learn from redistricting mistakes made before the 2002 reapportionment commission did its work would hand this job back to the politicians.
Northern Rockies' fight over wolves endangers species act The dispute over managing wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming put the species back on the federal endangered species list, and now lawmakers from those states are pushing Congress to pass a law exempting the species from the federal Endangered Species Act, a move that would prove detrimental to not only the 1973 law, but to dozens of species in the sights of other federal lawmakers.
A Tale of 2 Idaho Republicans Despite the allegations of tax dodging, state Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, retains the loyalty of many constituents, just as U.S. Rep. George Hansen (R-2nd Cong Dist), convicted of federal ethics violations in 1984, did 26 years ago.
Ethical Misadventures in Idaho's Frathouse Key House lawmakers leading Ethics investigation of Rep. Phil Hart are coming to look as bad as the person they're investigating. And, yes, Rex Rammell's rant against wolves and the Feds is a story worth covering.
Quashing dissent Priest Lake legislator Eric Anderson is being punished by House Speaker Lawerence Denney for filing an ethics complaint against fellow GOP lawmaker Phil Hart.
Smaller Idaho government needs fewer legislators When they complete this latest round of budget cuts, Idaho lawmakers will have contracted state government by almost a third. Will managing it require the same number of legislators?
South-central Idaho should enjoy day in the sun in Legislature For the next two years legislators from Idaho's Magic Valley will fill five House chairmanships and two Senate chairs, including Senate Finance and House Appropriations, and with reapportionment looming that will send at least four legislative seats to the faster-growing Treasure Valley, Magic Valley residents should push to get legislation important to them passed.
Federal pay freeze a step in the right direction President Obama's plan to freeze the pay of federal employees at present levels for two years will result in savings of $28 billion in five years, not much when you consider the cost of the Afghanistan war is about $60 billion annually, but the pay freeze is a necessary step, as is the end to lavish tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest taxpayers. 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 |
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