What do Idaho Democrats stand for?
By Rep. Roy Lacey
During the last months a few articles have been printed in this paper with political overtones which have pointed toward the “tax and spend” and the desire to make Idaho a welfare state all pointed toward the Democratic Party.
Others continue to attempt to paint a picture of what an Idaho Democrat stands for which is generally not factual. Not all the printed word is factual, but people that read the paper faithfully can be swayed one way or the other with what is published. It is not up to the newspaper staff to insure that every word is correct, only to print what some of its constituents write as their opinion, so no criticism of this newspaper.
The Idaho Democrats are very much a minority in the Idaho Legislature. The Idaho Republicans have a “super-majority” and pretty much control what happens in the making of laws in the state which includes the setting of taxes. This was very evident this last session when the decision was made to give the top 18 percent of Idahoans a tax break.
There was no consideration of the “common” man, the middle class or the poor in this decision. There were other suggestions by the Democrats, such as reduce or eliminate the sales tax on groceries or to provide the relief to the lower earners to no avail. The reduction of sales tax on groceries or lower taxes for the common folk would have resulted in the money being immediately recirculated in the economy which would be a more sound policy for job creation.
Giving money back to the top 18 percent was touted as creating jobs, but until someone begins to buy items no jobs will be created and the money will just be added to the coffers of the already wealthy. While Idaho could not afford a tax cut at this time, if one was going to be instituted, why not give it to those who need it the most and would put it back into circulation quickly.
Other “tax Idahoans and spend it” on special projects would include the recent closed primary. The Republican Party sued the state of Idaho wanting a closed primary to “cleanse the ranks”. When the suit was successful, the Legislature passed a bill that required the state to pay the Republican Party $100,000 for legal fees.
In other words, a law was created to pay for a bill incurred by the Republican Party – paid for by the loyal citizens of the State of Idaho. If that isn’t enough the cost to have a closed primary is an additional $220,000 each time it is held – again paid for by the taxpayers of Idaho. All of this so some can have a private party of sorts.
Another interesting piece of legislation was run late in the session in 2012. As a bit of a base line, the Legislature has access to and does use the Attorney General’s Office to determine the constitutionally and the practicality of any legislation that is proposed. The Attorney General’s Office does a wonderful job and responds in a timely manner and has a budget of several hundred thousand dollars a year to provide this service. This is a good service and works well.
However, there are times when this office will render an opinion that something may be unconstitutional – even if the leadership of the majority party wants to make a law. An example would be the nullification legislation that was presented many times during 2011. To circumvent any interference with what leadership wants, a new fund of $200,000 was set up at the discretion of the Speaker of the House so a favorable opinion can be sought. Again, paid for by the citizens of Idaho – you and me.
So, let’s spend a couple of lines talking about what the Idaho Democrats stand for. This last year there were six pieces of legislation for creation of jobs – all prepared and presented by Democrats. Only one of the six made any headway and was passed in the House, but was stymied in the Senate. The Democrats called for ethics reform as the Legislature is in disorder as evidenced by so many violations of rules. While there was a committee formed to create a citizens committee nothing came of this measure due to lack of cooperation and there was some legislation passed in the Senate late in the session that made it even more difficult to bring ethics charges.
The Democrats have stood up for the poor, the disabled and others as services were cut, for the children as school budgets were slashed. The budgets for the last two or more years have been consistently “low balled” to create an “excess” so a tax break could be given to the rich – all of this on the backs of the ordinary taxpayer. The Idaho Democrats stand for the middle class, helping those who are less fortunate and believe that the way to prosperity is the creation of jobs. The Idaho Democrats listen to the people of Idaho and the interests and well-being of the common man are paramount in our concerns.
Roy Lacey of Pocatello is a Democratic member of the Idaho House of Representatives.
If you’re so great, why are people flocking to you in large numbers then, sir? Was it something you keep doing?
Excellent article, Roy. I admire and respect you folks for doing your work in the face of such overwhelming odds.
I do hope to meet you folks sometime.
I never quite understood how the Republicans could be so callous to an entire segment of the population until I realized what they believe – that those who don’t vote for them don’t matter. But then, that’s the subject of another article!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/doonesbury-on-ultrasound-as-rape/2012/03/12/gIQAZoQB8R_blog.html
Roy -
I’m particularly interested in your comments on a possible sales tax reduction, by eliminating the tax on food (4th paragraph). You write, “The reduction of sales tax on groceries . . .would have resulted in the money being immediately recirculated in the economy which would be a more sound policy for job creation.”
That statement seems to imply that whatever the state does with our sales tax money is less productive, and less likely to produce jobs, than whatever the people who earned it would spend it on!!!
Do you really mean to say that the state is not putting our sales tax money to the best use, or even wasting our sales tax money???
I am NOT a fan of Roy Lacey! He has been doing all the politico things to keep his name before the public. I have my doubts about his political motives! Another typical Democract from Pocatello.
“Democrats are a minority,” (Lacey;) That’s because your liberals! “Republican closed primary”(Lacey;) Have you heard the term “RHINO’S” their people know they can not get in as a democrat so they lie to the people and say their republicans and conservative, yet went they get in office, they vote with Dem’s and against Repub’s.
“The Democrats have stood up for the poor, the disabled and others” (Lacey;) Runaway Slave to open in theaters in Philadelphia and Atlanta July 27, 2012.
A one – time NAACP chapter president, Reverend Bryant became a conservative activist after his realization that the entitlement mind set of the “progressive” black community is the equivalent of trading one from of tyranny for another.
You give hand outs but you do not teach they to work for it! Studies after studies, show generation of families are on welfare because that’s all they know!
Condemn the rich not the government foolish spending!! You democrats want all the “FEEL GOOD” “LOOK GOOD” SOUND GOOD” programs that cost the government to run, then a money short fall comes, to be fair you have cut every thing equal, yet you democrats scream like stuck hog because schools get cut along with every one else. But you just had to have all them other programs didn’t you!!!!!!
And then there is social security your party has runt.
@Stucki: This is not the purpose of a sales tax break. Sales taxes are regressive and only hurt the poor, of which Idaho has many. Wanting lower taxes on food says nothing about whether the state is spending tax revenues effectively.
Though… Perhaps if Idaho elected people with some tiny bit of intelligence it would be spent effectively.
The rest of the comments on this article were clearly written by illiterates and are impossible to read. Perhaps Idaho should spend some more money on education.
lllouder -
We’re totally in agreement on that point, but that wasn’t what the author said. Lacey stated that leaving that money with the people who earned it would cause it to circulate faster and create more jobs.
That might have some merit if the state were hoarding that money, but that’s not the case. The state spends its tax money just as fast as does the average consumer, so there is no reason to think it would create more jobs one way than the other.
Mr Lacy:
As a pragmatic yet conservative independent that considers the Idaho Republican Party successful closing of primaries a unforgiveable political sin, point of correction.
Pursuant to the lawsuit filed by the Idaho GOP and subsequent ruling by Judge Winmill who was bound by stare decisis, I believe attorney’s fees were assessed to the respondent. In this case was the State of Idaho.
Don’t get me wrong, given the nefarious nature of Idaho Republicans, they knew exactly how to close the primaries and have taxpayers pay for it as well. Nonetheless that appropriation had to be made pursuant to judgment to satisfy the claim of judgment the Idaho GOP secured against the citizens of Idaho in order to further their nefarious agenda to undermine democratic principles within the electoral process. Give the Idaho GOP credit, they knew how to hire the right lawyers to maniupulate the judicial process to further work against the best interests of the Idaho citizenry.
“I never quite understood how the Republicans could be so callous to an entire segment of the population until I realized what they believe – that those who don’t vote for them don’t matter. But then, that’s the subject of another article!”
Larry, replace “Republicans” with “gun control advocates” and “vote” with “agree” and that describes how I see you responding to my commentary in the blog “To Vaporize a Watermelon” that you wrote. http://www.pocatelloshops.com/new_blogs/politics/?p=9381
Senator Bilyeu did come out to the range that day. While I didn’t meet her, she did spend time talking to other club members. Were you there? We may not agree on topics but at least I am willing to meet to discuss them.