Our View: Keep Risch in Boise
A good argument can be made that Idaho Gov. Jim Risch should continue as – governor.
In one of the strangest developments in Idaho politics in years, then-Lt. Gov. Risch decided not to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination against Congressman Butch Otter before circumstances elevated Risch to the state’s top office. Risch’s decision to seek re-election as lieutenant governor was a good one at the time. Otter had a big war chest. And Risch had a public relations problem in North Idaho as a result of his opposition to Indian gaming.
Otter probably would have won a primary match-up.
Today, after four months of decisive leadership by now-Gov. Risch, the outcome might be different.
Obviously, Risch has the qualifications to hold the part-time office of lieutenant governor. So does Democrat Larry LaRocco, a moderate who served two terms as an Idaho congressman in the early 1990s. However, Risch has already proved that he has the leadership and mettle to step into the governor’s office in case the state’s top executive is called away by federal appointment, illness or death. He has earned another term as lieutenant governor.
Risch has been anything but a caretaker governor since former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne was confirmed as Interior secretary in the Bush administration this spring. He has opened offices in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, shaken up state departments, and personally worked out a complex plan to manage the state’s roadless areas. But he guaranteed an impressive legacy in August when he called the Idaho Legislature back into session to reform the tax system.
Idaho lawmakers, many with whom he’s worked for years in the state Senate, rubber-stamped Risch’s request for property tax reform. His legislation proposed to shift the maintenance and operation costs for schools from the property tax to the sales tax. By adding a penny to the sales tax and shifting $50 million of surplus revenue, lawmakers were able to provide state money for schools to replace the lost property tax funding. They also established a fund of $100 million from the budget surplus to protect school revenue during tough economic times.
As a result, Kootenai County residents learned last week that they will see significant drops in their property tax bills.
Risch’s main negative remains his decision not to meet LaRocco in the nonpartisan League of Women Voters debate.
William Charles Wellisch, a Constitution Party candidate who disdains public education and says he was inspired by God to run, isn’t qualified for the office.
Attorney General: Lawrence Wasden, Republican
Nothing has happened since the spring primary to change our assessment of incumbent Lawrence Wasden: He’s an even-handed attorney general who has incurred the anger of supermajority Republican leaders by putting Idaho’s interests above party politics. He has displayed this trait on several occasions, prosecuting Republicans and even fellow Mormons around the state on public corruption charges, including former Boise Mayor Brent Coles. He underscored his commitment to Idaho law when he refused to be part of a move by Republican legislators to overturn a voter-approved initiative that expanded Indian gaming, even though he personally opposes gaming. He explained that his job was to defend Idaho laws, not challenge them. Wasden also is an advocate for open government in a state that sometimes eschews openness. He’s an easy pick over Democrat Robert A. “Bob” Wallace.
Superintendent of Schools: Jana Jones, Democrat
Idaho law may allow individuals without hands-on education experience to run for the state superintendent of schools position. But that doesn’t mean they’re qualified to hold the job. For the second election in a row, Republican Tom Luna is seeking a job that he’s not suited to seek. He’s the owner of a weights and measures firm with fringe education experience who wants to run education like a business. That sounds good for those with a beef about public education. In reality, neither public schools nor government can be run like a business. There are too many regulations in the way. Democrat Jana Jones understands that. Not only is she Superintendent Marilyn Howard’s chief deputy, but she has worked in the state Department of Education for the last 18 years and once owned a private preschool. Her goals are noble: increase teacher pay, update textbooks, and bring balance back into curriculum that has been driven by test results for too long. Idaho’s education system doesn’t need an overhaul. It needs someone like Jones who can pinpoint problems and fix them.
Controller: Jackie Groves Twilegar, Democrat
Jackie Groves Twilegar is the only candidate in this race with the educational background and hands-on experience required to perform the duty as Idaho’s chief fiscal officer. She’s a financial manager who’s worked in corporate finance, banking, real estate and investments. Meanwhile, Republican Donna Jones has been a legislator and now directs the Idaho Real Estate Commission. Twilegar understands that the office needs to be upgraded technologically and that the Idaho Land Board lost millions by investing endowment funds in the bear market at the turn of the century. She wouldn’t be a rubber-stamp on the five-member Land Board as Jones might be. Jones also deserves criticism for refusing to participate in a League of Women Voters debate.
Treasurer: Ron Crane, Republican
Incumbent Ron Crane deserves credit for reaching out to constituents during his first two terms in a low-profile office. He has used his bully pulpit to sponsor a women’s money conference in Boise each year where an average of 1,500 women learn about a variety of topics, from balancing a checkbook to managing retirement investments. Also, he presents a one-day class to Southern Idaho high school students about credit cards. In raising the profile of his office – which receives, disburses and invests government funds – Crane should consider spending more time in North Idaho, too. Democrat Howard Faux, a Sandpoint banker and Realtor, raises a good issue when he says he wants to bring a North Idaho presence to state government.