Idaho
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The group trying to get bike access to the Greenbelt in Garden City got tossed out of court for “lack of standing.” It is a common move in Idaho courts, but it is the LAW. This from the Committee for an Open Greenbelt. (Pardon the formatting, GUARDIAN is on small computer in Asia.) Today Judge [...] Related Posts May 31, 2011: Garden City Bike Ban Remains, Court Date Set &md...
Boise Guardian - 7:21 p.m. - 6 clicks 
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission staff Friday came out against an agreement between Idaho Power and the Dynamis “trash to power” project at the Ada County landfill. There was strong written opposition to the plan before the IPUC, including a document filed by attorney Jon Steele. Much of the opposition was based upon the contemplated [...] Related Posts Jan 13, 2012: Boise...
Boise Guardian - 5:06 a.m. - 10 clicks
What better holiday than Groundhog Day for Donald Trump to pop up again, and endorse Mitt Romney ? In Las Vegas. It seems that Mitt has reached either a sufficient state of craziness, certainty of capturing the nomination, or both, for Trump to reach a state of pronouncement. If it's sunny in southern Nevada, expect 6 more weeks of campaigning. And, as Gail Collins points out 9 months o...
Fort Boise - Thu 11:09 a.m.
Written by the Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus Idaho Democratic Legislators presented common sense, proactive policies they believe will help develop the prosperous communities we all desire and deserve. IJOBs 2.0 consists of seven proposals that will grow existing companies and attract new companies, enhance our infrastructure, keep money in Idaho, and ensure that our economic devel...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Wed 9:06 a.m. - 5 clicks
Crossposted on Daily Kos Also republished by DKOMA. ___ A bunch of cute gals chase a guy to the left, screaming. The same bunch of fiesty women then chase a guy to the right, screaming and waving their arms. The guys dance, skillfully moving like Elvis in his prime. The gals dance, twisting and turning artfully, as if in a scene from Grease . The scene is tasteful, anachronistic, and ...
43rd State Blues - Wed 7:07 a.m. - 20 clicks
Editor's Note : The Idaho Democrats have announced several measures to help create jobs for Idahoans. It's a good first step. Here's hoping the Idaho GOP gives it some consideration. Press Release from the Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Contact: Representative John Rusche (208) 750-6048 or Senator Edgar Malepeai (208) 251-9517 ...
Political Game - Tue 12:28 p.m. - 14 clicks
Here’s a LA Times article on the California Legislatures move to shut down all 400 of the “redevelopment agencies” (Urban Renewal in Idaho) as of February 1, 2012. The legislation was upheld by a 6-1 vote in the California Supreme Court. A caretaker will be appointed to pay off all remaining debt of each agency and [...] Related Posts Mar 20, 2011: Urban Renewal Remains W...
Boise Guardian - Tue 12:28 p.m. - 13 clicks
A bunch of cute gals chase a guy to the left, screaming. The same bunch of fiesty women then chase a guy to the right, screaming and waving their arms. The guys dance, skillfully moving like Elvis in his prime. The gals dance, twisting and turning artfully, as if in a scene from Grease . The scene is tasteful, anachronistic, and warmly inviting. So began an evening of exciting, innovative chore...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Tue 7:29 a.m. - 12 clicks
At the beginning of the 2011 legislative session, Idaho Education Superintendent Tom Luna surprised the state by unveiling legislation designed to accomplish a draconian overhaul of public education, by diverting a significant portion of students' school time to online course from private entities, in essence swapping live teachers for one on a laptop. While vociferous opposition to the so cal...
43rd State Blues - Mon 3:27 p.m. - 25 clicks
Idaho legislators propose allowing quad trailer semi trucks hauling toxic waste to use decommissioned Soviet submarine reactors as "supplemental engines on low density highways" to travel at sub-sonic speeds. Idaho legislators propose tattooing "Jesus Saves" or "Jesus Saved Me" on the foreheads of all Idaho DOC prisoners convicted of malicious mischief or theft charges involving churches or te...
43rd State Blues - Sun 7:46 p.m. - 23 clicks
Every decade, it’s the same: As population crowds into urban areas, legislative (and congressional) districts that cover rural areas have to stretch into larger and larger areas. It’ll happen again after 2020. Even so, I’ve been looking at the Idaho Redistricting Commission’s L93 map (yes, that means there have been that many formally submitted) adopted [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Sun 2:08 p.m. - 12 clicks
Add the Words. It all sounds simple enough. The Idaho Commission on Human Rights declares its purpose to be: To secure for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (40 and over) and disability. To investigate complaints by any persons claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice in the areas of em...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Sun 9:41 a.m. - 6 clicks
On this day in 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded a mere seventy-three seconds after lift off. It remains a moment that few Americans have forgotten who were alive to witness the event, either in person or as it was being broadcast on television. In the days that followed the tragedy, Idaho was one of the first states to order the lowering of flags in honor of the six astronauts a...
Political Game - Sat 5:21 p.m. - 15 clicks
The potential for some Ada County political fireworks and intrigue were opened up with the latest state redistricting plans. Ada was cleanly divided into nine legislative districts based on population and will likely remain unchanged. That makes a perfect fit for the Ada Commishes to each take three legislative districts to form the three county [...] Related Posts Jan 23, 2012: Repubs ...
Boise Guardian - Jan 27 - 13 clicks
After spending a little time with the Idaho redistricting commission, things look a little more upbeat than earlier this week for the prospects of it completing its task sometime soon – possibly Saturday (they’re prepared for a Saturday session), maybe sooner, but likely not a whole lot later. This was the commission called back to [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 26 - 11 clicks
I'm loving watching the odd fight pitting House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko against AG Lawrence Wasden and redistricting commissioners Delores Crow and Randy Hansen. The wingers in the R party in Idaho will stop at nothing, it seems, to accomplish their political goals and vision. On one hand you've got to marvel at the single-mindedne...
IdaBlue - Jan 26 - 13 clicks
So there’s been this tussle going back & forth regarding the redistricting commission. I’m not even going to pretend to be an expert on Idaho politics. However I am going to wade into this just a bit. Betsy Russell (Eye on Boise) has a story in the Spokesman Review that gives enough background to understand [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Jan 25 - 4 clicks
In a terse four sentence decision, the Idaho Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed a law suit filed by Idaho House Speaker Lawrence Denney and Republican party chair Norm Semanko over their attempt to fire members of the redistricting commission. Chief Justice Roger Burdick signed the order which said, in a nutshell, the parties seeking relief failed [...] Related Posts Jan 24, 2012: Idaho Spe...
Boise Guardian - Jan 25 - 4 clicks
Chris CarlsonCarlson Chronicles A former newspaper editor and sometime reader of this column recently asked who I thought, other than Cecil Andrus, were great Idaho governors. A bias I have is this: The best governors almost always first served in their State’s Legislature. Why this contributes to success is obvious. Having served in the legislative [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 25 - 6 clicks
In an Idaho Statesman piece, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, who’s co-chair of the Mitt Romney campaign in Idaho, remarks that “I would have bet you a month ago that this would have been over with by the first of February. But things have changed.” He’s certainly not alone in that, or in moving to the [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 24 - 3 clicks
The following is a lay opinion from the GUARDIAN. Idaho House Speaker Lawrence Denney’s decision to file legal action in the Idaho Supreme Court against Secretary of State Ben Ysursa will probably lead to political and personal humiliation. The speaker has overstepped his bounds in an effort to rid the redistricting commission of a member [...] Related Posts Jul 13, 2011: River To O...
Boise Guardian - Jan 24 - 4 clicks
Our sister blog, the CALDWELL GUARDIAN, has posted an interesting initiative from the neighboring state of Montana. Folks there are tired of the behavior of their legislators and seek to change the constitution to prevent legislators from changing or repealing laws passed by voters. We Idahoans have passed both term limits and a 1% property [...] Related Posts Sep 29, 2011: Idaho Legislati...
Boise Guardian - Jan 24 - 4 clicks
The following list has been circulating on the internet with several copies being directed to the GUARDIAN since it is prime fodder for our GROWTHOPHOBE philosophy and followers. We talked to a Williams County, ND Deputy who not only confirmed the accuracy of the data, but told us, “We have a fair number of people [...] Related Posts Jan 20, 2012: Idaho Power Adopts Growthophobe Phil...
Boise Guardian - Jan 23 - 5 clicks
A small town “hick sheriff” from Burley should get national acclaim for his use of sophisticated GPS tracking gear to fight crime the RIGHT way with a tactic that would have made Andy Griffith of Mayberry fame “right proud.” Cassia County Sheriff Randy Kidd had a problem with folks stealing copper wire from farms and [...] Related Posts Jul 3, 2011: E-15 Fuel No Goo...
Boise Guardian - Jan 23 - 5 clicks
The Idaho Legislature, which has before it a bill that would move the state’s long-running May primary election to August, might as well go ahead and pass it. Candidates and election officials will need the time, because the odds now are that no new legislative redistricting plan will be adopted in the short term – [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 23 - 2 clicks
Microsoft Corporation, the most successful big business in the Northwest, spoke out yesterday on a piece of Washington state legislation (which is within a single legislative vote of having enough for passage) which it said would help its business, and it got five other businesses to go along in the announcement. The legislation happens to [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 20 - 4 clicks
It’s a little unfortunate that election schedules have to be uprooted because of legal battles over things like redistricting. But that’s what seems to be happening in Idaho. House Bill 302 (introduced by Representative Tom Loertscher, R-Iona) may be an inevitability, and is certainly something legislators were wise to get into the pipeline sooner rather [...]...
Ridenbaugh Press (Idaho) - Jan 19
Idaho grocers are asking the legislature to change the system of handing out food stamp money . The problem being that folks are so desperate that they all hit the stores almost immediately after the money is distributed (electronically to their cards). So, bottlenecks ensue, and shoppers get sick of standing in line and abandon carts full of food, which is an especial problem for fro...
IdaBlue - Jan 18 - 8 clicks
Over the last 3 years, Idaho's revenues have declined, and the budget has shrunk with them, on account of the constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Rather than seek new revenue sources, the legislature and Governor have chosen to simply cut the budget. Now that revenues are growing again, what will be the choice? Restore the budget cuts? Or keep the reduced budgets a...
IdaBlue - Jan 18 - 9 clicks
Editor's Note : The following press release landed in my inbox yesterday from the Idaho Democratic Party. May the governor stick to his guns on the topic of ethics and put some pressure on the legislative majority to support this worthy idea. Update (1.13.12): Speaker Denney has lashed out at Democrats for using the phrase "culture of corruption" in their portrayal of ethical lapses i...
Political Game - Jan 12
Gov. Otter has called for, I think, $45 million in tax relief, targeted for business and corporations. And wealthy people. But, he's left the details up to the legislature. It's this last point that leaves me scratching my head. If there is a need for tax relief for a particular reason, fine, let's target that. But just an across the board cut, from 7.8% to 7.6% doesn't seem like it changes ince...
IdaBlue - Jan 11
This morning the Idaho Press Tribune has an opinion on Ron Crane’s, Treasurer of the State of Idaho, imbecilic defense of why he uses the State gas card for his personal vehicle. Apparently the first question is: “How is Mr. Crane paying for his daily commute between Nampa & Boise” because the IPT writes, “Another [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Jan 8
Qualifier: It's pay to play But still, a strong showing for Paul, with a decisive win over Romney: The former Libertarian got 43 percent (173 votes) to the former Massachusetts governor’s 34 percent (135). Trailing them were Newt Gingrich with 12 percent (47 votes), Rick Santorum at 10 percent (40) and Jon Huntsman with 1 percent (4). A total of 399 people from across Idaho participated....
DailyKos (Idaho) - Jan 7
This week the Idaho Department of Correction released the amount the state's execution of Paul Ezra Rhoades cost the state of Idaho. Not surprisingly for those who are familiar with the cost of carrying out the death penalty , the cost was great. The exact cost IDOC released to the press was $53,411, not including the construction of the new execution chamber (F Block, as it is named). I...
Political Game - Dec 31
" New Rules for the New Year "/Bill Maher, New York Times " Alcohol and the Idaho legislator "/Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press " 12/30/1905 - Today In History "/John T. Richards, Idaho Meanderings " A brainpower revolution "/Eugene Robinson, Washington Post " Perry's Abortion Stance Gets Even More Extreme "/Kate Sheppard, Mother Jones " 25 Literary resolutions for 2012. What's yours?...
Political Game - Dec 31 - 2 clicks
Crossposted on 43rd State Blues Dan Popkey shared a report from The Washington Post, which is: ... running a photo gallery of the 25 members of Congress with the lowest net worth in 2010 and Idaho GOP Rep. Raul Labrador is No. 25 on the low list. Labrador's net worth is between a negative $130,993 and a maximum of $66,997, averaging out at minus $31,998 according to the Center For Resp...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Dec 29
Idaho conducts its redistricting by a commission and produced a map not too different from the current one where Dems held a single district for only one term. My map however draws Idaho's two district to give Democrats a better chance at winning the 1st district again by making it over 10 points more Democratic. I also included an alternate map which is more compact. ...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Dec 26
" My Occupy LA Arrest "/Patrick Meighan, Family Guy " Thousands Sterilized, North Carolina Weighs Restitution "/Kim Severson, New York Times " Idaho Supreme Court will decide Bujak documents case "/Kristin Rodine, Idaho Statesman " NPR Music's 100 Favorite Songs of 2011 "/Music Staff, NPR " Accounts of a Massacre, Saved From Junkyard Flames "/Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times " An ...
Political Game - Dec 17
I heard Erick Erickson of Red State say that Newt Gingrich is "The Great American Sisyphus." Obviously, he doesn't know Idaho's own Sisyphus , who's pretty great, IMHO. ...
IdaBlue - Dec 15 - 13 clicks
Both Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted for the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) termed by some as the National Detention of Americans Act. The two sections of concern are 1031 & 1032, posted below: Subtitle D: Detainee Matters - (Sec. 1031) Affirms that the authority of the President to use all necessary and appropriate [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Dec 13 - 13 clicks
The Statesman ran an article in today's (Sunday) issue about the Boise restaurant, Focaccia's. It has been struggling with reduced business, and now the owner's wife has become gravely ill. They could use some help. If you have never eaten there, you'd be happy if you did. They have very high quality food, nicely conceived and prepared. The wait staff is friendly and well traine...
IdaBlue - Dec 11 - 14 clicks
Pretty much every leading Republican politician in Idaho lined up, early, behind Romney. Easy at the time, given that he appeared to be the anointed one, and given his base of support among the LDS community in Idaho. But, I think that the tea party leaners in Idaho weren't so much behind him. Adam Graham, for example, is a Cain supporter, even now. If Romney's campaign destruct...
IdaBlue - Dec 7
States have been busy finalizing their redistricting plans, and SSP Labs (a division of Daily Kos Elections) has been busy just trying to keep up. Today, we bring you four more states - Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, and Michigan. If you need a visual reference for any of the maps, just check the proper link in the new-and-improved condensed table (we've added Nevada, and as always, don't forget Tex...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Dec 7
Someone mentioned in the comments the other day that it's high time the House increased in size; it's become increasingly unrepresentative and unaccountable. I've done a series of Canada-style diaries (and plan to continue it), where the size of a district is shrunk to a mere 110,000, bringing the house to 2,806 members. While that would be great, it may be too much too fast. So I thought I'd tr...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Dec 6
In Idaho, an 1867 editorial in a Boise, Idaho newspaper stated: “This would be our plan of establishing friendship on an eternal basis with our Indians: Let all the hostile bands of Idaho Territory be called in (they will not be caught in any other manner) to attend a grand treaty; plenty of blankets and nice little trinkets distributed among them; plenty of grub on hand; have a jolly time wit...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Dec 6
You know how people like to depict their families in the back of their SUV windows? Here's one I saw in Boise while driving during the afternoon rush hour. Heather has two mommies. So does Heath. ...
IdaBlue - Dec 2 - 2 clicks
Debate continues to rage as Boise smoking ban passes Crossposted on 43rdState Blues After several months of rancourous and rigorous debate, Boise’s city council approved two smoke-free ordinances last night, the Idaho Press Tribune reports. The first, which passed unanimously, will ban smoking in bars, private clubs, near transit areas, on commercial outdoor patios accessible to chil...
DailyKos (Idaho) - Nov 30
Gov. Otter has written to extol the virtues of Idaho state government , especially as it has been run under his watch. It's clear that he has a vision of government as being basically just a vehicle for helping business. Here's, to me, a startling quote: State government can no longer even be the "primary social safety net." This just boggles my mind. I mean, if the gover...
IdaBlue - Nov 28
Winging her way to ... what? Is it even a real state if its government does not meet the needs of its citizens? I don't know. I do know that we get the government we vote for. Just seems odd to me that Idaho citizens tolerate getting so little from its social compact. 24/7 Wall Street ranks Idaho as the 26th best run state . That is, about half are run better, half ...
IdaBlue - Nov 28
With two witnesses representing each of Paul Ezra Rhoades ' victims, four members of the Idaho press, and various government as well as law enforcement officials, the state of Idaho executed a man convicted of three murders. Rhoades became the twenty-eighth prisoner to be executed in Idaho since 1864. Twenty-eight have been executed, none since 1994, and yet the pro-death penalty, conservativ...
Political Game - Nov 21
