Comments on: Boise Taxes Go to Private Lobbyists

By: joe moran

joe moran — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:15:57 +0000

I’ve wondered why I get so worn out trying to confront “local” political flim-flams. It dawned on me that every time I turned around there was a new one, costing muy dinero tax monies and being rifled into law by either the state leg., county or city. That’s tiring….

Secret bonuses, well-paid unneeded lobbyists, enhanced political nepotism, created bureaucratic fiefdoms(CCDC) used to create cover for elected officials spend-happy projects. All of this has taken front page in the last month!

Of all CCDC is the most dangerous. City Meister Dave and team are now crowing about the multi-million dollar river road development, complete with a luxurious new library , that their spawned and unelected bureaucratic creation, CCDC, has voted in. Is this how Team Dave plans to maneuver around the law which states ” all new bond issues to pay for long term debt must be put to a vote?” City hall can say we didn’t do it, CCDC gave it 100% approval. Kushlan’s CCDC was never elected, never has any project voted on, and is therefore Mayor and Council’s way of hoodwinking the Taxpayer!

Boise voters need to wake up or their taxes(PROPERTY!) will continue to face hefty increases thanks to a city government that uses every trick in the book to avoid fiscal responsibility.

By: osprey

osprey — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 03:13:02 +0000

We hire lobbyists to protect us from those we elect.

By: Mr. Logic

Mr. Logic — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:28:41 +0000

Looks like Boise's politicos are following Arizona. It isn't just developers from Cactusland who are exploiting Idaho. Take a look at the government-government lobbying and the costs in AZ. http://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/02/06/az/east_valley/gil01.txt

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:50:49 +0000

Aren’t the heads of cities, counties and state government supposed to talk to each other and meet with each other?

It seems that all levels of government just keep getting larger just because the heads don’t want to talk or meet with each other. Now they hire lobbyists because government employees don’t want to talk to or meet with each other. What happens when the lobbyists don’t want to talk or meet with who hires them?

Throw all the bums out!

By: eric

eric — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:38:24 +0000

I just read that Statesman article on the lobbyist. Let me see if I have this straight–they talked to a City employee whose job it is to talk to the press (Duncan) about hiring lobbyists from two firms whose job it will be to represent one set of elected officials to another group of elected officials.

God I am glad I don’t get all the government I pay for.

By: Mr. Logic

Mr. Logic — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:36:14 +0000

GUARDIAN–I wouldn’t be surprised if Team Dave spends campaign money getting you assigned to take pictures in Siberia! Your Brazil trip gave them a two week break and now you come back and challenge lobbying and market surveys.

Logically speaking, those Monday “legislative strategy meetings” should be public and any “strategies” should also be made public. Let’s hope Boise leaders are not like the Republican Caucus which meets in closed session.

By: A Team 88

A Team 88 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:50:24 +0000

Last time I checked the Mayor get’s paid $91,229 a year and Councilors get paid $19,375 a year. They also have a seemingly endless supply of staffers available. I would hope that they wouldn’t have to hire additional outsiders to keep up with the politics of the day.

We also have the Association of Idaho Cities, Compass, Association of Counties, and several private groups (your favorite the Chamber of Commerce) who are spenidng similar amounts of money to keep all of our ELECTED city officials up to speed on current legislative issues…..And to think, we only pay the legislators themselves $10 per day. Seems the system is a little out of balance somewhere.

By: Public

Public — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:33:51 +0000

We look forward to seeing all the emails from the lobbyist – they are public record and we hope they get posted. ALONG with any replies from council.

By: Inside

Inside — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:27:11 +0000

All the items listed ought to be handled by a staff person already on the payroll.

Looks like the city is rolling in money. Amazing what you can do when you tuck away $10 million tax payer dollars.

By: clancy

clancy — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:59:44 +0000

I agree with Whitdit. Probably a needed position because the job description looks to be more than lobbying. I do not see why this could not be an internal position. By joining the state and federal lobbyist, there would be more than enough money to keep somebody busy. Plus the citizens would have better access to the information and paperflow.