IdahoStatesman.com Opinion

Our View: No more: We need to focus on $787 billion

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

These days, it's hard to go a day without hearing about the next increment of federal economic stimulus spending:

Neils S. Nokkentved: Nuclear power isn't clean or cheap

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

An Eagle-based company wants to build a 1,600-megawatt nuclear power plant in Elmore County.

Letters to the editor

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

For a glimpse at what is coming with cap and trade check out how the UK is planning its rollout.

Richert: Idaho and Montana downwinders have a case

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Idaho's nuclear downwinders have earned their right to cynicism.

Letters to the editor

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Dennis Mansfield contends that the era of faith-based involvement in Idaho's public policy is over (Reader's View, July 6). He implies that working to further the best interests of families is wrong. Neither claim is true.

Our View: The wrong way to handle a tough H.R. issue

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Since his election in 2006, Gov. Butch Otter has stuck to a consistent, common-sense theme: modeling state employee pay and benefits after the private sector.

Paula Arehart: Making part-timers pay more for insurance is misguided

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

State Sens. John Andreason, R-Boise, and Kate Kelly, D-Boise, are both correct in their evaluation that Gov. Butch Otter's plan to increase permanent part-time state employees' health insurance premiums by 900 percent is the worst mistake the governor can make. At best this action appears to be disingenuous when it claims to be motivated by "doing the right thing." This plan is recommending what amounts to a new draconian tax on health care for state employees. Who is next to have their benefits taxed? Difficult times call for smart management, not the usual knee-jerk reactions recommended by consultants or politics.

Peter Morrill: Public television is a bargain, and it enhances life in Idaho

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Great Caesar's ghost!

Letters to the Editor

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Why are insurance premiums being raised for part-time state workers? Some state workers are part-time by choice, but some have recently had hours reduced due to budgetary cuts. Yet workers having hours reduced, the ones least able to afford it, now have to pay greatly increased health insurance premiums - a double whammy as the state is cutting salaries and raising insurance premiums at the same time.

WestViews: Opinions from newspapers in Idaho and the West commenting on Western issues

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

State schools superintendent Tom Luna is right. With election consolidation on the books, it's time to get rid of the two-thirds "supermajority" requirement to pass a school bond.

Letters to the editor

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

I'd like to thank all of the people who came to the benefit comedy show for Brian Knight and Cliff Williams at the Hijinx Comedy Club. Because of your generosity the evening was a success and helped out two people who have always been there for us. Also, thank you to Captain Wayne Kingslien - you worked hard and it is appreciated. Special thanks to Brian Lee and Pat Mack of Hijinx - two stellar guys and without them the event would not have happened. Brian and Pat, you guys are rock stars! Thank you for donating your venue and your time.

Our View: Budget realities hit U of I research lab in Parma

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Agricultural research is an essential piece of the University of Idaho's land-grant mission. In Parma, a U of I research lab has been a steadfast community presence - and the source of 16 jobs.

Joe Cook: Langley Gulch Power Plant would be boost for New Plymouth

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The Treasure Valley and New Plymouth area have experienced considerable growth over the years and economic development plans continue seeking more business, more residents and more electrical needs. As leaders, it is our responsibility to demonstrate vision and foresight by setting direction and making policy decisions to ensure the quality of life not just for our individual communities, but for people across our state. It is our responsibility to recognize the collective benefits to all communities.

Letters to the editor

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The June 25 Reader's View on cap and trade stated we hear all scientists agree we are in the midst of human-caused global warming.

Our View: Is independent's run a challenge to the GOP?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Jana Kemp is one of those politicians the Idaho GOP hardliners call a RINO - a "Republican In Name Only."

Letters to the editor

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

I have been reading with great interest and appreciation the travels of the Wheeler family. However, a passage in the last installment shocked me: "Addressing other family needs such as health care leads to comparisons with their travel experiences. 'It's almost like you go through reverse culture shock,' Mark said. Susan said they found health care to be good and inexpensive in the countries they visited. 'It's scarier being back here and thinking about what if something happens.' "

Our View: Luna's right: two-thirds bond hurdle is too high

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Give Tom Luna credit. And wish him luck. The state's school superintendent has picked a whale of a top legislative priority for 2010.

Jeanne Jackson-Heim: Ordinance would have done little, except hurt businesses

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

As an Eagle City Council member, I must take all information and views into account when voting on an issue. Some decisions are very difficult to make, and I know the council struggled mightily with a recent proposed "clean air" ordinance. I'd like to explain why I voted "no." The following opinions are expressed on my own behalf and are not to be construed as an official position statement of the full council.

Letters to the Editor

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

In 1989 the Supreme Court ruled that desecration of the American flag is constitutionally protected as a form of free speech. Despite these rulings, it is illegal to desecrate the American flag in 47 states.

Gov. Butch Otter: Join me in urging the Senate to scrap costly cap-and-trade legislation

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:38:41 MDT

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA) is a 1,201-page piece of legislation jammed through the U.S. House of Representatives recently in the name of addressing climate change. Unfortunately, all it actually would do is raise taxes and energy costs while eliminating jobs and slowing our economy.

Our View: It's time to do the right thing, and clear the air

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

Sometimes it costs a few dollars and takes a little bit of political backbone to head off an environmental crisis.

Letters to the Editor

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The auto emission regulation argument will be settled; your support of a local solution is good. However, I think limiting inspection to Ada and Canyon counties is short-sighted. Anyone who has had a window seat flying into Boise can see how the whole Valley is connected. This is most noticeable at night; but flying in daytime during an inversion also shows you the "limits" of the Valley. The emissions inspection should stretch from Mountain Home to Weiser (and include parts of Malheur County, Ore.); additionally it should include Idaho City and Horseshoe Bend all the way to Marsing/Homedale. All these are in the "bowl" affected by inversions.

Letters to the editor feedback

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MDT

The guest opinion by Kelley Mata (June 20) suggesting we need to "compromise" on Second Amendment rights was naive at best, and laughable at worst.