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.