State Government
Of Ethics, Conflicts, Right and Wrong
We are left shaking our head almost daily asking the rhetorical questions, “What were they thinking?” and “doesn’t anyone know the difference between right and wrong?” Mom and Dad would be aghast. The recent mess incident at the City-owned Idaho Ice World was a disaster waiting to happen. It all started back in 2008 when […]
Bad Legal Advice Leads To Bad Gov’t
A rash of bad legal advice and lack of transparency at the local level is taking its toll on local government budgets and preventing the “system” from having a chance to prove itself–leading some to question the democratic process. A few examples: –Boise county got bad advice about zoning a halfway house for troubled youth […]
Update On School Levy Elections
We have received several comments from readers regarding the Tuesday School Elections. First are allegations that Boise’s ballot language disguises the fact they are seeking $70,000,000 which is broken down into $14,000,000 every year for 5 years. One reader claims the Meridian ballot is much clearer, adding the Boise cost pegged at a mere $7 […]
School Levy Election Tuesday–Be Sure To VOTE!
A bunch of school levy elections set for Tuesday because the Idaho Legislature has shifted much of the cost of education to property owners while proclaiming legislators have “held the line” on tax hikes. They may have held the line, but only with a massive shift. To learn where to vote following the statewide redistricting […]
Trash Talk–Power, Politics, Economics, Ownership
A forum of experts in turning “Waste To Watts” was assembled Tuesday by the IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW and it completed the circuit for many not plugged into the energy circuit. Idaho Power rep M. Mark Stokes, along with attorney Peter Richardson who reps small electricity producers selling power–like wind generated and landfill projects, really cut […]
Ada Probation Update–No Investigation Likely, Unconstitutional System Continues
UPDATED 3/5 Noting constitutional amendment has passed on this issue. When the GUARDIAN began receiving what appeared to be credible complaints about the operation of the private for profit Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Services we forwarded details directly to the Ada County Commishes. In May 2011 we posted the FIRST STORY which caused a brief […]
House Panel Votes To Keep State Out Of Commercial Ventures
On a 15-1 vote The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved a measure Wednesday to prevent the state endowment fund from purchasing and running businesses. This is a practice the GUARDIAN revealed in 2010 when the Dept. of Lands went into the private storage business with the purchase of Affordable Storage in Boise. With an […]
Coppers Ask For Equal Treatment On Texting Ban While Driving
Idaho coppers including the State Police, Sheriff’s Association and Chiefs of Police offered testimony today before the Idaho House during a hearing on the proposed texting ban while driving. ALL THREE GROUPS ASKED THE LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FOR COPPERS. The House agreed and sent the bill back for amendments to remove the law […]
Statehouse Like Animal House, But Dumber
In what can only be described as “typical Idaho Legislative behavior,” we take note of the recent actions of the Idaho Legislature regarding humane treatment of animals. Under pressure from humane society advocates, a bill making animal cruelty a felony for repeat offenders is sailing through the lawmaking process. As it stands, it looks like […]
U.S. Judge Rules Occupy Protest Is Legal, Tents Are Symbolic Statement
U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled Monday the Occupy Boise tent city is a “political protest of income inequality.” Since it is a preliminary injunction, the decision is not final. The final hearing for decision will be made on March 2nd. The decision appears to block the state from removing tents on […]
Dynamis Deal With Idaho Power Gets IPUC Approval
The so-called trash to energy project planned for the Ada County landfill has passed a hurdle with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The IPUC approved the rate contract Friday between Dynamis and Idaho Power saying, the agreement “contains acceptable contract provisions,” and is in the best interest of the parties and ratepayers. Dynamis was denied […]
Idaho PUC Proposes Power Payment Program
The Hoku Solar panel plant in Pocatello is still not up and running and it appears to the GUARDIAN it may never reach production, despite all kinds of taxpayer subsidies and tax credits. The company got behind in its payments to Idaho Power and now the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is proposing an agreement that […]
Public Record Award Entries
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Max Dalton Open Government Award sponsored by the Idaho Newspaper Foundation. The 2012 award will be the 14th annual award given to each year since 1999 to a citizen or group judged to be an outspoken advocate of openness in either public records or public meetings on […]
Ball Park Bad Idea, Bieter Still Pitches It
Team Dave’s captain, Mayor Dave Bieter used the City Club of Boise Thursday as a forum to pitch a new public baseball park for private gain. We see it as another swing and a miss. At the same event, Bieter recruited the audience to seek petitions asking for a referendum to allow the city authority […]
F-35 Opponent Questions Air Force Report
This is a GUARDIAN guest opinion By Kevin E. Cahill, PhD Is the Air Force being honest with Boise? The United States Air Force is proposing Boise’s Gowen Field as a possible Pilot Training Center and base for F-35A fighter Jets. The Air Force has just released a draft Environmental Review (Environmental Impact Statement or […]
Bill Would Limit State Role In Commercial Business
A Bill to limit the Idaho Land Board’s role in private sector-type commercial enterprises has been introduced in the legislature. The GUARDIAN made public the state’s ownership of Affordable Self Storage in 2010, touching off a controversy which has the Dept. of Lands claiming they “do it for the children.” Meanwhile business interests and some […]
PEACE OFFICER Trumps LAW ENFORCEMENT
(Disclaimder: GUARDIAN is in Thailand working on erratic WIFI, so this may be old news) When the legislature proposed a draconian law to clear the old courthouse lawn of Occupy Boise protesters, they included a clause that would classify their property as “litter” and destroy it. Both Boise’s Top Copper, Mike Masterson and Super Trooper […]
Dynamis Rate Opposed by IPUC Staff
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 […]
Ada Redistricting Could Spawn Commish Rivalry
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 […]
Supremes Refuse Republican Speaker Case
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 […]
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