JEERS ... to House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale. Of all the people to send - at taxpayer expense - on a junket, Denney picks Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden. Hart is among a contingent of lawmakers attending this week's annual American Legislative Exchange Council meeting at Salt Lake City. Denney also agreed to pay the tab for Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens. Hasn't Hart already used up his cache of favors from "Boss" Denney? Denney looked the other way while Hart, a member of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, refused to pay his own taxes. Only after Hart gave him permission did the speaker remove him from the tax-writing panel. Denney penalized Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, for calling attention to Hart's theft of timber from state lands. Denney has tolerated embarrassment after embarrassment as Hart has claimed his elective office extends immunity from tax filing deadlines that apply to everyone else/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Why has House Speaker Lawerence Denney cut Phil Hart so much slack?