Senate vote stands between us and a nasty fight - Popkey

"Twelve senators can spare Idaho an ugly, demeaning, expensive fight over gay marriage that would have no practical effect except to divide us.

The Senate vote on a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage and civil unions of any kind is expected Wednesday. Twelve senators say they will oppose the measure, denying supporters the two-thirds majority necessary to put the amendment on the November 2006 ballot, as my colleague Wayne Hoffman reported Saturday.

I hope their courage lasts. They'll be under intense pressure before the vote, but we have better things to do in the next 21 months, including elect a governor and a member of Congress, and dealing with budget, education, transportation and economic development needs.
Without a Daring Dozen in the Senate, we're in for a bruising campaign. Out-of-state groups are already here. Amendment backers from Colorado and Arizona attended a press conference and Friday's hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 101." More

"You know you're a true Idahoan when..."

• You don't see anything the least bit funny about the state's largest university playing the biggest football game in its history every other week.
• You've parked next to sagebrush that are taller than your car.

• You refer to any elevation that doesn't have a tree line and a snowcapped peak as a hill.

• Your town has more tackle shops, outfitters' offices and whitewater businesses than it does houses.
• You see a man in a pin-striped suit and cowboy boots and know immediately that he's a state legislator or congressman.
• People believe you when you say you're late arriving at your destination because you were held up by a band of sheep.
• When you ask people what ward they're in, they automatically know you're talking about a church instead of a hospital.
• You know people who have been in fistfights over the brand of pickup they drive.
• When entering a drinking establishment in North Idaho, you instinctively know better than to say you're from southern Idaho. If you inadvertently let it slip that you're from Boise, you duck and look for the nearest exit.
• The county where you live is bigger than some states. Cows outnumber people there, and the few people who do live there are proud of it.
• You're not surprised when, instead of asking where you're from, motel clerks greet you by saying, "Whatchahuntin'?" And it isn't even hunting season.
• You see a lonely looking woman having lunch by herself at the Statehouse snack bar and recognize her as the entire delegation of statewide officeholders who are Democrats.
• You see a mountainside riddled with caves and know not only that there are people living in them, but that they're paying rent.
• You know better than to pop into a popular restaurant because it's reservations-only and you won't be able to get past the Harleys parked on the front porch.
You know several people who have hit a deer more than once
• The closest thing you have to rival gangs in your neighborhood are skiers and snowboarders.
• You stop at a small-town restaurant where they don't have what you want and the waitress runs three blocks to get it for you.
• Your car breaks down on a state highway and the first person to come along picks you up, takes you home for dinner with the family and puts you up in the spare bedroom. This has actually happened to me.
That's one of the things people like best about Idaho. The natives are incredibly friendly.
Tim Woodward - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho:

MSNBC - Brand names split along red-blue lines

MSNBC - Brand names split along red-blue lines: "Red state residents were more likely to consider themselves religious, although the difference was not huge, especially among women. Red-state women were much more likely to be divorced than their blue-state counterparts. (The difference was less pronounced for men � possibly the result of red-blue intermarriage?)
The survey also offered a hint on why Democratic Sen. John Kerry lost the election: Red-state men appear to be more politically active and involved in their community.
Only 70 percent of men in blue states said they were registered to vote, compared with 80 percent in red states. And of those registered to vote, 18 percent of men in blue states said they did not vote in November, compared with only 12 percent in red states.
Nevertheless 48 percent of blue-state men considered themselves �well-informed� on international affairs, compared with only 38 percent of men in red states."

Pool for open congressional seat is growing - Popkey

Valley home sales set record

• Boise had 4,131 residential sales last year, up from 3,487 in 2003. Home starts, however, fell to 624 from 836 the previous year, reflecting an increasing scarcity of available land for development."I don't see a letup in the housing numbers," said R. Gail Heist, principal with Professional Real Estate Services. "The builders I talk to are ramping up for a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in housing starts this year."Heist said the surging Idaho economy is bringing up to 20 new small businesses a month to the Treasure Valley, each representing five or six families.
• "That has a large impact on demand for homes," he said.U.S. Bank western region economist John Mitchell said he expects the industry will continue to prosper because of an Idaho economy that is out-performing economies of neighboring states.
• Mitchell said the state remains "on a tear," citing statistics indicating that Idaho is first in the region in population growth, at 2 percent a year. The state is second in the nation in job growth and fourth in housing appreciation, with an annual rate of 9.29 percent as of the third quarter of 2004, he said."It (Idaho) is one of the premier places in the region," he said.Mitchell added that the national economy will continue to grow in 2005, barring a dramatic drop in the dollar or a major oil shock resulting in a rapid jump in interest rates.
• Jerry Van Engen, an industrial broker with Thornton Oliver Keller, said the local commercial real estate market began to turn around in the second half of 2004, with office vacancy rates falling from a high of 11.12 percent in the third quarter to 10.71 percent late in the year.The industrial vacancy rates climbed climbed slightly, to 8.68 percent. He predicted a turnaround for office construction projects this year, with the Eagle Road corridor becoming a "hotbed" of office activity.

Economy - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho

Albertsons could be first in line to benefit from governor's business tax breaks by Popkey

Those pluses ensure Idaho will continue to grow rapidly, with or without more tax breaks.

Reed, the Albertsons tax VP, made a case for stability in his Jan. 6 testimony. 'In many ways, Idaho is a model state for business, and that's why we continue to be headquartered here. The simplified and fair tax structure is a selling point, both for the business and for our customers and associates.'
Lawmakers should remember what drew HP here in the first place � quality of life, a capable work force and good schools. Lawmakers must take great care to ensure they don't harm businesses already providing good jobs or gut tax revenue necessary to support a healthy economy."

More,:

Bringing home the bacon

Idaho’s Congressional Delegation makes sure we get our share of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill
The Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress every year always includes the pork projects near and dear to all state’s representatives in Congress. Idaho is no different. Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson both serve on their respective house’s appropriations committees, so we should get a little more than most states, right?


Many taxpayers are uncomfortable or downright pissed when find out their taxes are paying for a weather museum in Punxsutawney, New York, or mariachi education programs in Las Vegas, Nevada. But when the money comes home, it means jobs. It means our congressmen and senators are working hard for us.
According to Citizens Against Government Waste (www.cagw.org), Idaho ranked 14th this year in pork per capita at $57.05 per person. In 2003, our congressional representatives helped Idaho achieve a sixth place ranking.
More.

Homegrown Show of Dissent from Moscow, Idaho

I Did Not Vote 4 Bush wristbands

NDOL: The Road Back by Al From and Bruce Reed

If Democrats want to be a majority party again, they need to win back the middle class. Article:

Reader's Opinion - The Idaho Statesman - Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Opposes Nez Perce Water Agreement

"After a strenuous review process, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation delegates voted on Dec. 2 to oppose the Nez Perce Water Agreement. After putting forth the effort to understand what this complex agreement does and doesn't do, we believe that although there are many positives, the compromise of private property rights outweighs the potential benefits.

The attorneys and others who negotiated the Mediator's Term Sheet did an adequate job in looking out for irrigation interests and finding creative ways to lessen endangered species concerns on certain species. However, the tradeoff comes in a compromise to private property rights that Farm Bureau members cannot support.

Not long after the agreement was released for public consumption, North Idaho landowners began raising serious concerns about private property rights � a fundamental Farm Bureau belief. Idaho Farm Bureau recognizes timber as an agricultural commodity and supports the Idaho Forest Practices Act. We oppose new regulations that go above and beyond IFPA. The Nez Perce agreement appears to supersede IFPA in that it reclassifies streams, extends buffer zones on either side of streams and restricts the amount of timber landowners can harvest on private land. The state has vigorously defended the current buffer zones, established by the IFPA as being sufficient to protect wildlife, soil, air and water.

In addition, the agreement requires these landowners to grant access to private land to state agencies for mapping and habitat monitoring activities. Further, the agreement calls into question how this land inside the buffer zones that is no longer available for timber harvest will be taxed. Will the landowner be expected to pay property taxes on land he can gain no income from?

"

Editorials - The Idaho Statesman - Economy should be a common agenda

"Idahoans see a lot of things differently than their lawmakers.

But Idahoans' vision on the economy is sharp. Legislators need to pay attention.

A new Boise State University statewide survey shows some clear and interesting disconnects between the people and their elected officials:
� Idahoans, a whopping 80 percent of them, want the state to help pay for local school buildings. Legislators have put state dollars into interest on school buildings but have refused to pay any principal on local schools. A lawsuit to settle who should pay for schools remains unresolved after 13 years.

� Idahoans want to be able to vote to raise their taxes for needs close to home: 55 percent agree with the idea, while 28 percent oppose it. Legislators have refused to budge on giving voters the right to make the choice on paying for needs such as public transportation. Lawmakers have refused to extend more taxing authority to local governments � which, according to the BSU survey, is the level of government Idahoans trust the most.
� Idahoans aren't too worked up over the sales tax: 63 percent of respondents said the current 6 percent sales tax is 'just about right.' Gov. Dirk Kempthorne got a round of applause from lawmakers Monday night when he restated his pledge to roll the sales tax back to 5 percent.

� Idahoans demand open government. Fifty-four percent of Idahoans oppose closed-door legislative meetings to conduct business, while only 28 percent support the idea. Several legislative committees held closed meetings in 2003 and 2004 to discuss issues such as water rights and tax bills.

So where can Idahoans and their elected officials bridge the gap? Here's one place.
Idahoans clearly are concerned about the economy.

Caldwell buys downtown 'hole in the ground'

Mayor focuses on revitalization during address

"CALDWELL - Mayor Garret Nancolas announced the purchase of a parcel key to Caldwell's downtown revitalization during his State of the City address Tuesday at O'Connor Field House.

'Is everybody familiar with the hole in the ground in downtown?' Nancolas said. 'We just bought it.' He said the city also has authorized offers to buy parcels that would help complete the Indian Creek uncovering project through the downtown.

'That deserves a big yabba dabba doo,' Nancolas said" More,:

Popkey - Kempthorne plan goes against conservative grain

"Kempthorne's highway plan demands a cultural transformation in the state with the second-lowest per capita debt in the nation.

Employing massive borrowing for the first time, Kempthorne wants to jerk Idaho into the 21st century � just as Gov. Bob Smylie hauled us into the 20th century with the sales tax and other reforms in the 1960s.
'It's time we stop talking and start building,' said Kempthorne, winning applause from moderate Republicans and Democrats, while conservatives sat slack-jawed at the $1.6 billion (in 2005 dollars, not including interest) price tag.

'It was definitely a legacy speech,' said Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes.

Kempthorne's call to bring Idaho to parity in the family of states comes with a twin: huge tax breaks for big businesses with new, high-paying jobs. Taken together, it's a breathtaking move to use government to aggressively stimulate growth.
That runs against the grain. Our conservatism is grounded in both stinginess and a pride in being what America was. Idahoans don't want to be like Californians or Oregonians. We're content with a place where four-line highways will never despoil happy hunting grounds, where labor unions remain emasculated, schools gang-free and coffee shops observe a population cap on customers with Ph.D.'s and studded tongues.

The prospect of competing with California and Oregon for elite jobs is unsettling to many. Conservatives did perk their ears when Kempthorne ticked off roads in their districts that would be part of his plan to do 30 years' work in 10. But after the speech, some were flat-out hostile.

'It was the taxpayers' worst nightmare,' said Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis. 'Other than that, it was OK. Wh" More,:

Twin Falls Irrigators want thousands of wells shut down

Call could force farms, industries to stop pumping

"Five Magic Valley canal companies and irrigation districts demanded Idaho officials to force thousands of farms, businesses and communities to stop pumping from wells and deliver the water they are due."More,:

GOVERNOR DIRK KEMPTHORNE STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS

Can Environmentalists Hunt?

"North America's system of wildlife management, of which regulated hunting is an integral part, is a tremendous achievement. The value of wild elk and deer to hunters supports the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat for an array and abundance of wildlife, including large predators and threatened and endangered species, and supports ecologically-based research and management. It's a sustainable system that gives many hunters a stake in wildlife, and fuels public understanding and concern for conservation. " More,:

"Why I Hunt"

In the fall, it's what I want to do. It would be unnatural and dishonest to sit on my hands; I'm a hunter, a predator (in the fall), with eyes in front of my head, like a bear's or a wolf's or even an owl's. Prey have their eyes on the sides of their heads, in order to see in all directions, in order to be ready to run. But predators--and that's us, or at least some of us--have our eyes before us, out in front, with which to focus, to a single point. More,

Freedom of Speech or Freedom of Slander in Idaho?

Dan Popkey - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho: "Whoever jobbed Chuck Winder in the 2003 Boise mayor's race with an Election Eve telephone attack ad is tenacious about keeping their identity secret.

Former Attorney General Dave Leroy told 4th District Judge Kathryn Sticklen last week that he would advise his unnamed client(s) to fire him if she orders him to reveal who they are.

Since March, Boise city officials have toiled to enforce Idaho's campaign disclosure laws, which require sponsors of campaign ads and persuasive telephone polls to identify themselves and who paid the bills.
If Leroy's Doe(s) prevail, they will establish a precedent for anonymous campaign shenanigans. Anybody with the means to get a good lawyer could repeat the scheme that smeared Winder: Hire out-of-state consultants and attack without fear of taking responsibility for the message.

Leroy, one of the ablest criminal lawyers around, is using every tool in the shed on behalf of whomever paid for recorded phone calls unfairly linking Winder to the Boise City Hall scandal. Winder fell 802 votes short of forcing a runoff with now-Mayor Dave Bieter in November 2003.
Leroy is raising constitutional issues springing from the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination that have never been decided in Idaho."

TIME - Arnold vs. the Gerrymanders

TIME - Mitch Frank - : Arnold vs. the Gerrymanders: "In California, like most states, there are few things more secure than an incumbent's Congressional seat. In the last election, only two of the state�s incumbents won with less than 60% of the vote; seven won more than 80%. The state balance of power remained the same: 33 Democrats and 20 Republicans once again make up California's Congressional delegation. None of this is surprising; California�s political boundaries, like most of the country�s congressional and state legislative district lines, were drawn to protect incumbents, putting a solid majority of party loyalists in each district. Nationwide, out of 435 seats up for election last fall, only about 30 were considered close races.
Now, Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to shake that up. He's not a big fan of the current districts, which have filled the state legislature with liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans who aren�t huge fans of Schwarzenegger�s moderate ideas. So the Gubernator plans to take a sledgehammer to the current system. In his state of the state address this week, he�ll propose taking control of redistricting away from the legislature and giving it to an appointed bipartisan panel of retired judges. The panel would immediately redraw districts for the 2006 election.
As with many of Schwarzenegger�s proposals, �Arniemandering� is causing a lot of political tongue-wagging. During his two years in office, the governor has scored some big accomplishments, passing a $15 billion bond measure to stave off bankruptcy while holding onto a 65% approval rating. But what�s more amazing � and troubling � is how he�s done it. Arnold has had little success working with the legislature, which is controlled by the Democrats and hopelessly gridlocked. So he�s accomplished thin"

Stallings to be new Idaho Dem Chair

Ridenbaugh Press: "The last time an Idaho political party selected a successful and statewide-known political figure as party chair, the event marked a renaissance.
That was in early 1991, a moment when the Idaho Republican Party was in a funk. The election of 1990 was the worst for that party in three decades, the climax of three elections that each marked general reversals for Republicans and especially conservatives. Dispirited, fractious, the Republicans turned to a figure respected by just about everybody: former Lieutenant Governor (and long-time state Senator) Phil Batt.
The contours of Idaho politics ever since have been shaped in significant part by what happened next. Batt used his stature to unite the party, and his political wits to pull together a unifying message and definition, and more - a sense of priorities, redefining the party in the minds of many people through a series of shrewd decisions about what to talk about, and what to leave on the back burner. Batt later became governor, a beneficiary of hisown party strategy, but his biggest impact on his state may have been his short but extremely influential tenure as party chair - possibly the most influential chair of a major Idaho political party ever.
This week comes news that Democratic Party Chair Carolyn Boyce plans to step down when the party's executive committee meets. And word that the top interested candidate to replace her may be Richard Stallings. And that raises some thoughts.
Like Batt, Stallings is a politician with a long track record.
He goes back to the mid-70s working on Democratic campaigns, ran twice for the legislature (losing in a Rexburg-based district, no disgrace for a Democrat), running for Congress in 1982 and losing - then, in 1984, knocking off veteran Republican George Hansen and winning by growing landslides in his next three re-election contests. Lost two race aft"

TIME Magazine -- The New Science of Happiness

TIME.com Print Page: TIME Magazine -- The New Science of Happiness: "The New Science of Happiness
What makes the human heart sing? Researchers are taking a close look. What they've found may surprise you"

Ridenbaugh Press

Ridenbaugh Press: "Headline on a press release today from Idaho's representatives Mike Simpson and C.L. 'Butch' Otter:
'Simpson and Otter Back New Effort to Permanently Repeal Death Tax.'
That may be difficult: There is no such thing as a 'death tax.' There is - was - an 'inheritance tax,' which taxes large sums (we're taking about millions of dollars) passing from one person to another, paid by the recipient. It affects a tiny slive of the population, just a few of the wealthiest. But death is not taxed, and there is no tax on the books called the 'death tax.'
Could it be they mean the 'inheritance' or the 'estate' tax? If so, why would they use incorrect terminology? Unless there's some political reason, of course ... "

MSNBC - Page 4: 'The Audacity of Hope'

MSNBC - Page 4: 'The Audacity of Hope'

Political Victory: From Here to Maternity (washingtonpost.com)

Political Victory: From Here to Maternity (washingtonpost.com): "Conservative, religiously minded Americans are putting far more of their genes into the future than their liberal, secular counterparts. "

The New York Times - Reserved: A $250,000 Parking Spot in Sun Valley

The New York Times > Fashion & Style > Reserved: A $250,000 Parking Spot: "THE daily race to be first down the powdery slopes at Sun Valley is as much about clout as it is about speed, and with this in mind, an increasing number of wealthy celebrities and business titans are scrambling to buy themselves a pricey head start.
The object of their desire is an aging Bavarian-style apartment building with motel-issue sliding glass doors and an interior that still bears the marks of its 1970's birth: not the normal taste among the super-rich here. It's called the Edelweiss, and what redeems it in the eyes of well-known moguls and actors is its location, directly across the street from the best ski lift around, the No. 10, a high-speed quadruple chair that goes directly to the top of Bald Mountain.
In Ketchum buying a condo at the Edelweiss has become known as purchasing a 'ski locker.' Such 'lockers' sell for $250,000 and up, and are not for sleeping in. They are for parking in front of and then walking away from, toward the powder."