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Eye On Boise

Allred: ‘A dirty game of misinformation’

Check out this commentary from Kevin Richert, who calls IACI's anti-Keith Allred attack website and robo-call campaign "sleazy even by robo-call standards." Here's what the robo-call says, an automated call that directs people to the new IACI anti-Allred website:

“This call is paid for by the Idaho Prosperity Fund.  IACI.org. Democrat Keith Allred wants to bring Washington’s reckless spending habits to Idaho. Visit AllredInk.com to learn how.  Keith claimed that Idahoans shouldn’t make tough spending choices this year. But now we know that would mean $82 million in new taxes for Idaho. Visit Allredink.com to see why Idaho can’t afford Keith Allred’s big spending agenda.”

Allred calls the claims "flat wrong," "politics at its worst" and a "dirty game of misinformation." Click below to read his full response.

Allred: Ads are "politics at its worst"

Keith Allred, candidate for governor 2010, says a series of automated phone calls sent to Idaho homes today are full of misinformation.

"This evening, we all heard politics at its worst," said Allred. "This dirty game of misinformation plays on Idahoans' fears.  It speaks to the worst in us, not the best."

Here's the text of the calls:

"This call is paid for by the Idaho Prosperity Fund. IACI.org.
Democrat Keith Allred wants to bring Washington's reckless spending habits to Idaho.
Visit AllredInk.com to learn how. Keith claimed that Idahoans shouldn't make tough spending choices this year. But now we know that would mean $82 million in new taxes for Idaho.
Visit Allredink.com to see why Idaho can't afford Keith Allred's big spending agenda."

Here's a few facts about the situation:

THE ROBOCALL: "Keith claimed that Idahoans shouldn't make tough spending choices this year."

THE TRUTH: Keith didn't criticize the legislature for making necessary tough choices for the 2010 budget.  It was a tough year.  Keith has, however, been critical of the governor for his 2011 budget.

Instead of cutting K-12 education by 7.5% or $128 million as Otter did, Keith would have created a budget based on the four evidence-based projections that predict over $80 million in increased revenue in 2011 and he would have taken the Tax Commission's recommendation to go after tax deadbeats and net $60 million in additional revenue.

With the sales tax revenues coming in over projections in three of the last four months, Keith is more confident than ever that he called it right.

THE ROBOCALL: "But now we know that would mean $82 million in new taxes for Idaho."

THE TRUTH:  Keith's plan for using the $80 million in increased revenue and the $60 million from going after tax deadbeats would more than offset the cuts to K-12 education.  Keith is on record opposing raising taxes on Idaho families:

See below, Keith's responses from the Idaho Statesman's Voter Guide:

Q: If the state's budget continues to outpace revenues, would you look to raise taxes, cut more deeply or both?
A: Next year's budget assumes that revenues will be lower, despite the evidence that revenues will increase. As a result, it's more likely than not that revenues will outpace the budget. If revenues are short, I'd take common sense steps such as funding more Tax Commission staff to net additional revenues. If we're still short, I'd make additional cuts rather than raise taxes on Idaho families.

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Eye On Boise

News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.