Eye On Boise

Not a single question for Women’s Commission…

Feb. 11, 2009 9:22 a.m. • 7 comments

The Idaho Women’s Commission had its budget hearing this morning, with legislation pending by one JFAC member, Sen. Joyce Broadsword, to eliminate the commission entirely; Broadsword sees it as obsolete. But director Kitty Kunz got not a single question from the joint committee after giving her budget presentation. “We feel our purpose and value is still necessary,” she told the lawmakers. “Have women in Idaho achieved equity? We only have to look at this body and the leadership in Idaho to see that that hasn’t happened. We have achieved a great deal … but we have … a long way to reach equity.” Less than a third of Idaho’s lawmakers are female, and just one of its statewide elected officials, state Controller Donna Jones. Kunz said the tiny agency used just $26,700 of its state budget of $30,600 last year. “Because of our frugality, we had money to give back to the state last year,” she said. “We’re well aware of being fiscally responsible and try to use our funds wisely.”

Seven comments on this post so far. Add yours!

jmalmen on February 11 at 10:04 a.m.
I’m not sure Donna Jones, our State Controller, would agree that there are no female statewide elected officials.
ShawnKeough on February 11 at 10:09 a.m.
Betsy, I see Mr. Malmen beat me to it, but as he noted, Donna Jones is a statewide elected official. Additionally, Controller Jones served many years in the state legislature and as the chairman of one of the most powerful committees in the statehouse: House Revenue and Taxation. Additionally, women in the legislature serve in leadership roles including JFAC which is Co-Chaired by Rep. Maxine Bell.
betsyr on February 11 at 10:41 a.m.
For a short time, this post incorrectly stated there were no female statewide elected officials, when of course this is one: State Controller Donna Jones. I have no explanation for this bizarre, and very short-lived, error other than early-onset senility on my part (but I’m only 47).
stebbijo on February 11 at 2:39 p.m.
LOL

Pointing out this error is not only petty, it clearly shows that community interaction on a blog rears a politician’s esteemed knowledge base, only when they can attack by pointing out a mistake and with an avatar to boot!

I had a long dissertation of sorts prepared, but really it would not do any good. Some things are what they are - pompous. However, at the same time, I hope our female leadership in North Idaho does not deem it just to remove what little resources we have, because they have ‘arrived’ and now sit at corporate and politcal tables.