krichert's blog

Do readers want watchdog reporting — or do they just say they want it?

Kevin Richert — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:48:37 -0500

When the Statesman's Erika Bolstad broke a rock-solid story about bonuses awarded by outgoing and embattled Sen. Larry Craig, the detractors were quick to chime in. Their message, loosely translated: "Hey Statesman, let the Craig story die already."

Neither rain nor sleet ...

Kevin Richert — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:51:04 -0500

A funny item from Wednesday's mailbag.

Got a letter to the editor addressed to the Statesman, "Somewhere on Curtis, Boise, Idaho."

The proper address, BTW, is 1200 N. Curtis Road.

And yes, skeptics, your government is at work. This letter still managed to arrive at our office — just two days after it was postmarked in Canyon County — and even though the envelope didn't have a zip code. (The zip for our street address, BTW, is 83706).

Talking tax increases — and forcing an unpleasant discussion

Kevin Richert — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:35:03 -0500

At least this is the kind of thing the opposition party should do.

Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, floated a politically doomed idea the other day: Idaho should raise taxes temporarily in order to limit the budgetary damage to public schools, higher education and Medicaid.

Her proposal: Impose a 5 percent income tax surcharge, for Idahoans with a taxable income of more than $50,000. (The Statesman's Dan Popkey wrote about the idea earlier this week.) The surcharge would raise about $44 million.

Otter wants your ideas about the budget. What will he do with them?

Kevin Richert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:15:23 -0500

Gov. Butch Otter has made pretty clear his approach to Idaho's continuing budget crisis.

Limit the damage to public schools, even if that means taking money from state savings accounts. Continue to make cuts elsewhere — including Medicaid and higher education. Hold the line on tax increases that could fund education or Department of Health and Welfare programs.

How does Otter's plan really square with the taxpayers? Will public opinion cause a change in course?

Bryan Fischer: Gone global

Kevin Richert — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:09:54 -0500

Bryan Fischer's old Idaho Values Alliance is silent (as a check of his old URL stomping ground demonstrates).

But Fischer, now a Mississippi-based radio talker, is doing what radio talkers do well. He is demagoguing a tragedy — the Fort Hood shooting massacre — by doing a little bit of old-fashoned religion-bashing. Fischer's prescription: Ban Muslims from the military.

Happy Ignite Boise 3 Day!

Kevin Richert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:16:24 -0500

Want to learn more about slow-cooked BBQ? Which Mad (Wo)Man you are? Or what city should play Shelbyville to Boise's Springfield?

Come to the Egyptian Theater tonight at 7 p.m.

It's Ignite Boise 3 night, which promises a full and eclectic evening of fun presentations. The rules: each talk runs five minutes, accompanied by a 20-slide presentation. One slide every 15 seconds.

The unfortunate (Larry Craig) headline of the week

Kevin Richert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:57:44 -0500

A leftover from last week:

Former Sen. Larry Craig joined a diverse, bipartisan group of co-signers on a petition calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison — and for the prosecution of terrorism suspects in federal courts.

The petition caught the notice of Wall Street Journal blogger Jess Bravin. "Hours after the petition’s release, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have barred prosecuting Guantanamo inmates in federal court," Bravin wrote.

Waiting on Sali: Handicapping Idaho's 1st District race

Kevin Richert — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:40:01 -0500

I don't think the 1st Congressional District race will really take shape until the end of November — or whenever Bill Sali decides whether he plans to seek his old job.

The Republican lineup changed considerably Tuesday, when state Rep. Ken Roberts of Donnelly left the race and state Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle entered the race.

But Sali remains the wild card. And to some degree, I think things will remain in a holding pattern as long as Sali's campaign is in a holding pattern.

So let's look at the current shakeout, player by player:

Minnick opposes health care reform — and still draws fire from the GOP

Kevin Richert — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:35:09 -0500

Rep. Walt Minnick may well have alienated some of his Democratic allies by opposing the health care reform bill that passed the House Saturday.

Yet the 1st District congressman still drew heat from Republicans Saturday night. Minnick opposed an amendment that would restrict federal funding of abortions.

Passed largely with the backing of Republicans — including 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson — the amendment passed 240-194.