It's hard to imagine two more different takes on the outcome of the recent Idaho Republican Party convention than those in statements issued by state GOP Chairman Norm Semanko and Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark. Semanko called the Idaho Falls gathering "positive and inspiring,"…
Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, had this response today to the convening of the newly appointed House Ethics Committee: "I guess I would say I'm anxious to get through the process, and I'm confident everything's going to work out OK for me." Hart said he's received…
The newly convened House Ethics Committee promised a "by the book" investigation into the conduct of Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, during its first meeting today; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. Click here to read the committee documents - the order appointing…
House Ethics Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher said Rep. Phil Hart asked Speaker Lawerence Denney if he should attend today's meeting, and Denney checked with Loertscher. "I said we won't have questions for him today," Loertscher said. "We will not exclude him from any of the…
Rep. Phil Hart doesn't have to respond to the Ethics Committee, Chairman Tom Loertscher noted. "We may not receive a response - he doesn't have to respond if he chooses not to." Loertscher cautioned committee members about talking with Hart. "Just so that you know,…
The ethics committee has four possible recommendations it can make to the House regarding Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol: Dismissal of the charges; reprimand, which requires a majority vote of House members; censure, which also requires a majority vote of the House; and expulsion, which requires…
Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene, said he'd like the Attorney General's office to provide the House Ethics Committee with a legal briefing on the constitutional provision regarding legislative privilege from arrest or civil process during sessions. Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, said, "That certainly is…
Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane told the ethics committee, "You have the authority to take testimony, to hear from witnesses." The committee's decision will be in the form of a recommendation to the full House, he said. "Only the full body can take final action."
Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, said, "I did send a letter to Rep. Hart asking for his response. ... we want to make sure that we do this correctly and that we give everybody a fair opportunity to respond." Hart…
The House Ethics Committee has convened its first meeting; Rep. Phil Hart, whose conduct is being investigated, isn't present.
This morning's first meeting of the House Ethics Committee will focus mostly on procedure, said Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona. Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane will brief the committee on the process, and Loertscher said the committee will then assign the Attorney General "to do an…
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