State Government
Gannon Seeks Taxes From Government Tenants
Boise Dem representative John Gannon has a bill co-sponsored by Repub Mike Moyle to charge taxes to to private entities using public real estate. He wants to amend the Idaho constitution to include: “any property belonging to the state, counties, towns, cities, villages, school districts … or public libraries” that’s leased to a private entity […]
Legislature– Quit Picking On Boise
The Idaho Legislature doesn’t have Dave Bieter to kick aground anymore, so they need to quit picking on us. Former Mayor Dave Bieter was often downright pugnacious with legislators, but he is gone and there is new blood at Boise’s City Hall. The statehouse boys need to give Lauren Mclean an the new council a […]
Too Many People, Too Much Hype
Idaho State PARKS has more happy campers than they can handle, forcing the department to make the wise move to stop advertising for visitors. The GUARDIAN has long held the GROWTHOPHOBE position that state and local governments should do the same thing–stop paying businesses to come to Idaho. It makes no sense to us for […]
Legislator Targets Urban Renewal Boards
A bill that appears to be aimed at former Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and the Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) has been proposed by a North Idaho Legislator. Sen. Mary Souza of Coeur d’Alene appeared in front of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Thursday. The bill has two parts – including a provision […]
Boise School Posts “Wanted Dead Or Alive” Posters For Historic Explorers
The topic of early world explorers as it is taught in a 5th grade class at Whittier School is likely to fall along generational lines as distinct as Republican and Democratic politicos. GUARDIAN reader Nate Murphy sent us a set of “wanted posters” from a 5th grade class at Whittier school which pretty much listed […]
Developers Should Pay For Prisons
For the past five years Growthophobes have been fed a steady diet of proud proclamations that Idaho is the fastest growing state in the country, #1 place to retire, most bike friendly, etc. Looks like we are also in the top ten when it comes to spending to put away criminals. But rather than tax […]
Skyrocketing Taxes Explained By Assessor
The GUARDIAN has contacted Ada County Assessor Bob McQuade who offered us an example of what amounts to a “mathematical phenomenon” which leads to disproportionate increase in tax bills. Here is his explanation for the prime reason for some of the surprise tax hikes. “By statute the current Homestead Exemption is 50% of the value […]
Public Records Are Media Obstacle
The Idaho Press Club has sued Ada County for multiple violations of Idaho’s public records law. The lawsuit, filed in 4th District Court in Boise, seeks full release of records related to four different public records requests by the Press Club and its members. It also seeks a change in how Ada County handles future […]
More Expansion Plans At BSU
Boise State University is a “city within a city” with millions upon millions of dollars worth of tax-exempt public buildings. Those buildings and the people who live and work in them are protected by Boise taxpayers. Yeah, yeah, all those people and construction mean jobs for locals and economic benefits for Boise businesses. They also […]
Despite Threats, No Fireworks Tickets
The GUARDIAN sympathizes with local police and fire officials in Boise when it comes to the dangers of illegal fireworks, but even after promises to crack down on violators, it seems no tickets were issued despite more than 300 reports of illegal fireworks over the July 4 weekend. Idaho law is without any teeth on […]
Growthophobes Surface At The Polls
Any way your cut it, GROWTH is is costly and not what the citizens of Southwest Idaho want to see. GROWTHOPHOBES have sent their message. Amid cries from overzealous local politicos that “A two-thirds approval is an impossible bar to pass,” we are seeing voters adamantly reject bonds with a two-thirds DISapproval! Canyon County’s jail […]
CCDC Pulls Out Of Library Project
Thanks to the Idaho Legislature and perhaps the Working Together group, financial support for the proposed $85 to $120 million Boise library project is waning. Monday the Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) board voted unanimously to withdraw $2.6 million earmarked for the project. The legislature passed a law requiring a citizen vote for major projects […]
Library Architect Fined By State
Timing is everything. The architectural firm awarded the $11 million contract to build the Boise Library was not licensed in Idaho at the time they solicited the job. A partner in the architectural firm Safdie and Associates has paid a $500 civil fine and $600 in legal fees to the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses […]
Slow News, Some Points To Ponder
Our apologies for not offering up much lately. Old age, lack of motivation, and travel are the reasons. Unlike the city and state politicos, we will offer up some topics your can vote upon and comment. –BSU annual survey which has often been used by Boise and Team Dave to justify trolley spending, cops, fire, […]
Is Our System Of Government Broken?
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Whenever I see or hear comments from citizens saying, “They are going to do whatever they want no matter what we say,” I cringe. Throughout my years in school and while serving in the military the mantra was, “we have a government of the people, for the people, by the […]
Urban Renewal Battle Continues…
Guardian reader “Chicago Sam” offers this news bulletin on the progress of House Bill 217, the measure to force urban renewal agencies to gain citizen permission to go into debt for construction of public buildings. HB 217 just forwarded to House of Representatives with a DO PASS. I believe the vote was 14-2. A packed […]
Truckers Buy Dinner, Get Free Ride In Ada
In case you wondered why legislators failed to even debate a bill to charge fees to trucks over 8,000 lbs. in Ada County, an excerpt from the Trucking Association newsletter gives a hint. “Last week, the Idaho Truck PAC hosted its annual legislative dinner with House and Senate leadership and legislators that serve on the […]
Urban Renewal Under Attack By Legislators
UPDATE–Nampa city council endorsed the bill during Monday night’s meeting. Two bills before the Idaho Legislature, clearly aimed to restrain Boise City councilors and the mayor, are worthy of support from voters. In a nutshell they seek to require citizen approval before urban renewal funds can be used for construction of either a library or […]
Behave Yourself Or No Candy!
Its no secret the Idaho Correctional facility south of Boise has had more than its share of problems in the recent past. In an attempt to encourage the assorted thieves, rapists, killers, and other assorted felons to behave themselves, prison administrators sent a memo to inmates and staff February fourth, announcing a behavior plan straight […]
ACHD Leaves Vehicle Fee On Lightweights
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED. SEE NOTES AT END Despite claims that Idaho law prevented Ada County Highway District from charging fees on vehicles in excess of 8,000 lbs., the GUARDIAN learned Monday ACHD has dropped all efforts to seek legislation that would correct the omission of heavyweights. Senate majority leader Chuck Winder told the […]
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