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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Idaho business lobby leader reinstated after profane email

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The leader of Idaho's pro-business lobby has been reinstated after being placed on leave for sending a profanity-laced email about a state senator. The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry reinstated Alex LaBeau as president on Monday. He had been placed on leave in early March; IACI officials have declined to say whether the leave was paid or unpaid. LaBeau had sent an email in January criticizing Sen. Jeff Siddoway for insisting that lawmakers raise teacher pay to $40,000 per year before he would consider any bills to lower taxes. In the email LaBeau described Siddoway as "completely irrelevant" and suggested the group introduce retaliation legislation. Jason Ronk, the organization's former acting director, says details of the personnel issue won't be made public, but the situation prompted conversations about the organization's mission and direction. LaBeau has led the organization since 2006.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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