Lawmakers return contributions from cabin site lessees

Scores of targeted campaign contributions — most of them below the $51 mandatory reporting threshold — have been turned away by top lawmakers on ethics grounds, reports Idaho Statesman reporter Dan Popkey. The donations, from Priest and Payette Lake cabin-site lessees, arrived with letters suggesting that “money buys elections” and “I hope I can buy a little of your attention.” Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, said the donations and letters could have put at risk legislation to reform state land-exchange procedures that the cabin lessees support.  “I’m really disappointed with what some of the letters have said,” Keough told the Statesman.  “They’re angry, they’re confused, they’re hurt, they want closure. But this is a distraction and it casts a bad light on the folks at the lakes.” Popkey’s full Sunday story is online here .