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,: