Huckleberries Online

Idahoans Reject 3 Jail Measures

Posted by DFO

Nov. 4, 2009 1:28 p.m. • 11 comments

Voters in three Idaho counties slammed the door on measures that would have paid for proposed jails or jail expansions. In Kootenai County in northern Idaho, a $57 million bond and half-cent sales tax to expand the county’s jail fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass. In Jerome County in south-central Idaho, a plan for a 30-year, $13.5 million lease-to-purchase agreement for a 165-bed jail fell 1.16 percent short of the supermajority. In Canyon County in southwestern Idaho, a $46 million bond failed after getting 57 percent approval, about 10 percent short of the supermajority of voters it needed to pass/KHQ. Kootenai County jail vote total in dropdown box.

Question: Is there a reason, beyond the economy, that explains three why three measures to build or expand jails in Idaho?

OBLIGATION BOND
          (Vote for ) 1
              (WITH 78 OF 78 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
           YES . . . . . . . . . . . .     7,767   49.98
           NO. . . . . . . . . . . . .     7,772   50.02
                   Total . . . . . . . . .    15,539

          SALES TAX
          (Vote for ) 1
              (WITH 78 OF 78 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
           YES . . . . . . . . . . . .     8,483   54.35
           NO. . . . . . . . . . . . .     7,126   45.65
                   Total . . . . . . . . .    15,609

11 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Sisyphus on November 04 at 1:37 p.m.
This issue displays the conundrum of electing people whose platform includes a strong stance on sentencing coincidentally with a hard line on cutting taxes. Can’t do both. Punitive measures are expensive.
JamesBond on November 04 at 1:40 p.m.
On top of Idaho’s voters being relatively conservative and anti-tax, our government leaders at all levels do a very poor job of making their constituents feel like government growth is in check. Thus, when they go to ask for something that is perhaps needed, they are behind the 8-ball due to their own actions. I believe tax issues are going to be huge this year. States will suffer from growing government over the last decade to a level that simply cannot be sustained without massive tax increases. Its time to fundamentally change government at all levels.
RathdrumBob on November 04 at 1:41 p.m.
Of course the economy was a big part of the failure. However, I think there are a lot of people who are tired of seeing jail time for every petty offense; maybe we ought to try something else. Then there is the veracity of the county commissioners….
Cis on November 04 at 1:52 p.m.
Also knowing that Montana and Oregon also built prisons and are standing there a year or more empty…
sue on November 04 at 2:01 p.m.
I wouldn’t vote to build a new jail, until alternative kinds of punishment are established. Violent and career criminals should be locked up, we need to find other options for others.
Sisyphus on November 04 at 2:12 p.m.
There’s a lot of alternatives being used now out of necessity and somewhat ironically by the people who are a bit removed from the political process, the court system and law enforcement. Drug Courts have been wildly successful which spurred on the use of mental health courts.
bpoole on November 04 at 2:12 p.m.
Possibly, that this is the only solution they give for the problems. Some may want other options, recidivism rates are much higher for those who have been incarcerated. Maybe this is problem.
Cabbage Boy on November 04 at 2:57 p.m.
Tell you why I voted no.

We had Tondee and Currie do a presentation for the KCRCC. It was an arrogant, their way or the highway approach. If we didn’t approve the jail they would have to spend more money. No thought to other options. No options, just vote for it or else.

I suppressed my desire to ask where the pharmacy was located in their plan. That issue hasn’t been resolved and I won’t vote for the current regime as long as they hide that scandal.

Strangely, I agree with Sue here. We need options. Not bigger jails and the need for more taxes.
Sisyphus on November 04 at 3:14 p.m.
Your not gonna like the options CB. Canyon County is staring down the barrel of some contempt actions and the sheriff was damn near in tears with frustration last night.
Sadbuttrue on November 04 at 7:23 p.m.
In Northern Idaho, people lock their doors to protect themselves from the local police. They are far more worried about the local police than the criminals.

Hence, the majority does not believes a bigger jail will make them safer. Yet these remain utterly mysterious sentiments to the law enforcement community.

Amazing.
Lynne on November 05 at 7:29 a.m.
Watson can’t even manage what he has effectively, which he admitted to the press earlier this year, and he expects us to entrust him with even more money and more responsibility?
I think courses in “Fiscal Responsibility” and “How to Effectively Manage your Employees” for the Sheriff is more warranted than a new jail.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.