ID Legislators: It’s not just that they lack vision…they’re BLIND.
The Community College Bill is dead. God forbid there’s ever a scent of taxes anywhere near a conservative Idaho legislator. The Revenue and Taxation Committee wouldn’t even let the bill - Butch Otter’s bill - to help local governments raise funds to reduce the supermajority for local taxation districts to 60% out of committee. But really, is this about taxes? Legislators from places like Boise, where property taxes are highest, are in favor of this local taxing authority. It’s the legislators from podunk who have the most problem with the idea of government support for higher education (all quotes from Eye on Boise).
“Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, said she didn’t think much of arguments that the state needs more workforce training, like that provided by community colleges. “I really find it a little offensive to imply that we’ve got a bunch of dummies out there in the workforce,†she said.”
Not only that, but they killed Otter’s grocery tax bill that targeted relief to low-income families, and decided instead to give a smaller one to everyone. Another great quote:
Senate Tax Chairman Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, said he was “very pleased†with the House committee’s decision to reject Gov. Butch Otter’s targeted grocery tax credit and two other competing bills, and instead pass HB 81, giving an increased grocery tax credit to all Idahoans. “I like the bill,†Hill said. “Out of the four, that was the one I wanted to have pass.†He added, “I was not happy with the governor’s proposal – I felt like it was taking a tax rebate and turning it into a welfare program.â€
…so they don’t want to support lowering the cost of higher education and they don’t want to help the poor…anyone else see the connection?
That committee, and particularly Ms. Bennett, are the reason that Dems are making inroads. So many Dems in the state were so dismayed by the last election when we didn’t pick up a statewide race. But actually there were very positive signs. The urban areas are swinging and are tired of being held hostage by backward rural notions on running government, denying us the tools to make Idaho better. Kootenai, Bonner and even Bonneville Counties show battleground status. Unpopular decisions like the community college issue will help change things in the state.
But you’re right. Institutionalized class division. And the poor keep voting for it or don’t vote at all. And our government votes to keep ‘em ignorant and poor. How do you make these people aware or stop them from voting against their interests?
Rep. Barrett is also holding SB1956 from hearing.
This bill passed the Senate on a 30-4-1 vote, with many Republican Senators stating a constitutional wrong to Idaho citizens was being righted by its passage, while some stated the bill’s language did not go far enough to assure adequate access for all citizens to petition and address local governments on CAFO issues.
Rep. Barrett’s arbitrary stance, trying to deny this bill its due process is a slap in the face of democracy. Angry citizens all across the state are flooding the legislature with emails and phone calls blasting her obstinate abuse of legislative power. She refuses to listen to reason from anyone, including her peers in the House and give way for the voice of the people to be heard.
House Speaker Lawrence Denney is also guilty of trying to subvert this bill. He is very aware of the people’s protest and, by lack of action, refuses to move this bill from Local Government to a committee willing to provide a hearing for its message.
ICARE, joining with others named by the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (whom I and other ICARE members intend to boycott because of their support to defeat this bill) are fighting to get this legislation to the House floor for a vote before the end of the legislative session. This bill deserves to be heard and allowed to pass or fail on its own merits.
Alma Hasse, Executive Director
ICARE (Idaho Concerned Area Residents for the Environment)
An Idaho Non-Profit Corporation
P O Box 922
Fruitland, Idaho 83619
idahocare@yahoo.com