Call Him ‘Sen. Votes Right’
Sometimes, state Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, seems to be in over his head at the Idaho Legislature. During the 1996 session, for example, he nearly derailed a two-year effort to allow optional forms of county government by voting both ways on the same bill. This year, he mistakenly voted “yes” in the Health and Welfare Committee on a bill establishing a $55 license fee for restaurants for health inspections. He actually opposed the legislation, which squeaked out of committee by one vote - his - and then was approved by the full Senate. Last week, he moved to kill a bill that would have protected carnival operators from lawsuits filed by injured riders - his bill. Still, Clyde gets good marks from Senate leaders, mainly, I suppose, because he tends to vote as they do. So, they probably should clarify their marching orders to Sen. Votes Right to avoid future goof-ups.
Not quite bottom of barrel, but close
Hmmm. One hundred eighteenth out of 120. The University of Idaho’s ranking in the latest Division I basketball poll? Nope. It’s where Coeur d’Alene residents ranked the need for a new School District 271 administration building. Said Mic Armon, an investment adviser who heads the district’s Long-Range Review Committee: “Of course, that’s a low priority - it didn’t have an impact on the kids.” Mic, my man, we’re talking 118th here! The only items that could be lower are gilded box seats for high school alumni and 100 percent raises for administrators. On Monday, the district will ask 1st District Judge Craig Kosonen for permission to construct the administration building without a public vote. Assistant Superintendent Dave Teater has figured out a way to build the district’s 118th priority without asking for tax dollars. Stay tuned.
Don’t baby babies - let them quit
Sometimes, school officials and legislators bend a little too far over backward to keep kids in school. Last year, the Legislature decided that high school students who drop out of school should forfeit their driver’s licenses. Now, lawmakers are flirting with the idea of raising the mandatory school age from 16 to 18. Never mind that many kids want to quit school - some so badly that they become classroom nuisances if they can’t. They should be allowed to go - for the sake of the teenagers who want to learn.
Sometimes, the only way a person can learn is by enrolling in the School of Hard Knocks. A few years flipping burgers at minimum wage might be just the ticket to make a dropout reconsider his or her need for school.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125 or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.