Ok, Senator … Come On Down Chamber Puts Price On Policy

Vying for Lincoln Logs and a Mr. Potato Head, lawmakers strained their brains Monday in the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce’s mock game show “The Policy is Right.”

Correctly guessing that Idaho’s recent welfare reforms have saved the state $15 million, Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, won the final round, beating out three senators, including Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum.

About 60 people attended the chamber’s annual mock game show, where lawmakers take the stage to guess the price tag of legislative decisions that affect North Idaho.

“It educates the complete Legislature about our policy issues,” said chamber member Ann Culton, who was mistaken for “Wheel of Fortune’s” Vanna White several times as she escorted contestants to the stage in her black and white evening gown.

After five rounds, it was clear that North Idaho lawmakers didn’t know all of the answers about the value of repairing U.S. Highway 95, electric deregulation and North Idaho College funding.

Boatright was the only Panhandle representative to advance to the final go after winning Round 2.

Gov. Phil Batt kicked off the event on a more serious note by recognizing Coeur d’Alene’s struggle for civil rights.

“Idaho is a warm, caring place and that fact will come out the more we point it out,” Batt said.

To counter the Aryan Nations’ April 18 parade in downtown Coeur d’ Alene, Batt plans to visit the city in March or April to remind residents Idaho is not a hate state.

Chamber President Pat McGaughey said that although the mock game show is entertaining, it reminds lawmakers about North Idaho.

“It’s a serious message in a fun way,” McGaughey said.

Proof was seen in the smiles that spread across the “winning” lawmakers’ faces as the game show handed out the booty, which included toy bulldozers, dump trucks and, of course, Mr. Potato Head.

, DataTimes