If you were injured in a car accident, would you ask the ambulance driver to take you to jail or to the hospital? Clearly, we would all choose medical attention. When mental illness is part of the crisis situation, however, the choices in Idaho haven’t been so clear-cut until recently. In 2014, Idaho established its Read more about Mental health scorecard can help guide voters[…]
Remember when we wrote checks and our driver’s license number was required to verify that you were really you? It was easy to recall, since it happened to be your Social Security number. It was a different time then and identity theft not so common. This column explores Idaho’s recent legislative responses concerning the federal Read more about Better ID? You bet[…]
If you’re like me and had the recent experience of renewing your vehicle registration, you saw a new line item of $21 to help pay for needed highway projects. HB 312 passed last year, so I knew this was coming. In addition to the registration increase, the state gas tax was increased 7 cents (from Read more about Highway improvements: Pay now or pay much more later[…]
One of the most important issues our state legislators are asked to address every year is the education of our children. As conservatives, we believe this is as it should be. Education is better addressed by the state and by local school districts, rather than a far-off federal government. Local communities get to make sure Read more about Education funding bill showed big differences[…]
This week, we wanted to focus once again on education, but rather than pick out a single piece of legislation, we thought we would discuss several. As you read along, it will become clear why. Over the last several years, Gov. Butch Otter has come out with a list of critical legislative priorities that will Read more about Education improvement: Yes or NO?[…]
Have you ever missed the start of a much-anticipated sporting event and tuned in late, only to find, that by the time you tuned in, the game was a blowout win for one side or the other? Even if it’s your team that is winning, it can be disappointing to miss out on all the Read more about Don’t just stand on the election sidelines[…]
For the past year, voters nationwide have been inundated with information about the presidential candidates. Yet far too frequently, local voters are frustrated about how difficult it is to find information about local candidates seeking public office. Complaints include a lack of accurate backgrounds about candidates, their stances on issues, or where to access their Read more about Get to know your candidates[…]
When I heard recently about Gov. Butch Otter forming a political action committee, the first question that came to mind was … why? At first blush, it doesn’t make sense for a governor – three years away from being an elder statesman – dividing the party. I’ve heard it described as a top-down manipulation, pay-to-play Read more about Groups Compete for GOP Control[…]
It is interesting how folks complain when the tables are turned. In November, Gov. Butch Otter formed a new political action committee called Otter PAC. The PAC website is viewable here. On that site, the following purpose is given: “Otter PAC was established to assist grassroots efforts for those who care deeply about the future Read more about Idaho Politics Weekly: Gov. Otter Steps Up with New PAC[…]
This week I was planning to write on another topic but the resolution sent out by the Bonneville County Republican Party Executive Committee urging Governor Otter to not use his new political action committee, Otter PAC, to influence GOP precinct chair elections was just too juicy to ignore. Thanks to Local News 8, you can Read more about Bonneville County GOP’s Resolution on Otter PAC: A Clarion Call or Just Goofy?[…]