State Government
Private Sector Fills Education Gap
While the cost of the May 22 election itself seems a major concern to commishes in Ada and Canyon Counties, GUARDIAN reader TIM RHODES offers up opposition to a proposed community college district. It requires a 2/3 approval. By TIM RHODES Creating a community college taxing district is a duplication of efforts and creates an […]
Old Growth Timber Clear Cut
From a Statehouse GUARDIAN reader– I’m sitting here in my office in the Capitol building these days watching them outside cutting down all the historic old trees on the grounds where the Legislature’s Poseiden Adventure is going to be built. I don’t know if I’m more disgusted by what’s going on, or by the fact […]
GUARDIAN Overwhelmed, Seeking Help
The GUARDIAN has been overwhelmed with information on stories the local media has either missed or refuses to research and publish or air. We have actual e-mail texts below or summaries. I simply cannot do the research and writing on these with no staff and continue to make a living with my photo business. If […]
Family Oriented Strip Clubs?
“Honey, let’s not cook tonight. How about taking the kids over to the Torch strip club for dinner.” Apparently the Idaho State Police think that’s the way things work. The Daily Paper quoted Maj. Dave Kane on a recent liquor law crackdown. He said, “It provides the community with a decent place to go with […]
Guerber Dodges Bullet
Embattled former Idaho State Historical Society Director Steve Guerber dodged a bullet Wednesday when Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower declined to press charges related to alleged travel spending irregularities. Guerber had been subject of some pretty intense investigations within state government as well as in the media. He always maintained his innocence, attributing the problems […]
Barefoot And Pregnant In The Kitchen
By SISYPHUS, Guardian reader In an effort to compel women stay home with their babies the House Health and Welfare committee killed a bill to set minimum standards for day cares in the state. House Bill 163 as amended would have set minimal health and safety standards, training requirements, staffing levels and required criminal history […]
Develop At All Costs Everywhere
The GUARDIAN admits a lack of knowledge about the funding details of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, but we know when things don’t smell right and a bill to expand bond authority for IHFA has an aroma. We know IHFA is created by Idaho law, but it isn’t a state agency. People who work […]
Monkeys In Urban Jungle
Southwest Ada residents against annexation are conducting their annual legislative battle with cities who want to capture them–and their taxes–against their will. We thought it was time to roll out this early GUARDIAN post. In the realm of Southwest Idaho Cities, Boise stands head and shoulders above the rest as the “800 pound gorilla” with […]
Se Bueno Anglais Solo Buddy?
Another of those fake polls designed to influence public opinion has come out. No ranking Idaho as great, Nampa as secure, best bike trails, finest job hunt, fastest growing, family friendly. This one claims 77 per cent of Idaho folks favor ENGLISH as the official language of the state! How many law books or legal […]
A Capitol Idea Saves Capital Funds
Once again a GUARDIAN reader has a solution for a major state issue. This from Gordon– Gov. Butch has suggested putting up tents to house some of the rapidly increasing prison population. But prison officials say you just can’t trust some of those cons; they might simply cut a hole in the side of a […]
Old Manure Causes Stink
A lot of the barn yard odor at the Idaho Ag Department is apparently left over manure from the previous administration. We also hear the guys at the top didn’t get along well. Our sources were pretty much correct in what they observed, but some of their conclusions were off–by about 24 hours. The bonus […]
Barn Yard Odor At State Ag Dept.
The GUARDIAN has an assignment for new Idaho Controller Donna Jones: Get busy with your oversight duties and check out SECRET BONUSES doled out at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. We have received some very serious allegations of bonuses being awarded to favored employees by former Director Pat Tagasugi. According to our sources, the […]
Wolf Economics Take Two
Over a year ago the GUARDIAN posted a satirical story about selling WOLF HUNTING. permits to raise cash to manage elk herds the wolves were managing naturally. It was a silly story, but not as silly as proposals coming from government today!
Boise Taxes Go to Private Lobbyists
The recent GUARDIAN piece questioning WHO calls the shots regarding the Boise City position on state legislation has prompted increased communication among Boise Councilors. It seems council president Elaine Clegg gave direction to lobbyist Lyn Darrington on how to testify on a bill that would impact Boise’s urban renewal agency, the CCDC. She told the […]
Councilors Clueless On Lobby Effort
The Idaho legislature’s House Revenue and Taxation Committee heard testimony Friday on a proposed urban renewal law that would require members of agencies like Boise’s CCDC to be elected. The bill was held in committee and effectively killed by a 10-8 vote, but the REAL story is WHO testified and WHY. Two non-elected people paid […]
Vote Them Out Of Office
Boise’s urban renewal director and the Chamber of Commerce lobbyist were able to convince legislators to hold an urban renewal reform bill in committee Friday, effectively killing the proposal. From the reports and quotes we have seen–especially the great reporting by Lora Volkert at the Idaho Business News web site–it is another story of government […]
Legislature Could Rein In CCDC
Thanks to some fed up folks up north, we may have a shot at reforming the CCDC and all the subsidy to developers at the expense of us common folk. There is a pair bills in the legislature up for hearing Friday that could force ELECTION of urban renewal boards. These guys take our tax […]
Guv Butch Follows Guardian Advice
Guv Butch included the better part of a million bucks for a detox center in Boise in his budget proposal to the legislature Monday. Reaction from Boise’s Team Dave was swift and positive. “I know I speak for all of the members of the Mayor’s Detox Steering Committee when I say how thrilled I am […]
Officials Fiesta Travel Style Differs
Guv Butch was reduced to hitch-hiking on his first official day in office. Seems he thumbed a ride to the Fiesta Bowl with ex-father-in-law J.R. Simplot on the company plane. J.R. is 98 today and recovering from a fall and bump on the head suffered outside the Fiesta Bowl. We wish him and the family […]
VIPS To Look Down On Bleacher Fans
We note that Boise State will ask the State Board of Education for approval at a Monday meeting to build a luxury suites-club seats-press box addition to Bronco Stadium. The project will cost $35.9 million, with $28 million financed through a bond sale. The athletic department will pay for the rest in cash. Nice deal […]
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