Before dropping the final gavel Thursday afternoon, House Speaker Lawerence Denney dropped the hammer. The Midvale Republican gave two of his more independent-thinking committee chairmen the heave-ho: Transportation Committee Chairman Leon Smith of Twin Falls and Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Trail of Moscow were told, publicly, that their services were no longer required. This move had all the subtlety of the horse’s head in the bed — because, after all, Denney did nothing to sugarcoat his motivations. The two deposed chairs had failed to support GOP leadership on too many procedural votes during the session. As Denney told reporters, “Most everyone gets one to two free passes.” Which also means, by inference, that Denney is keeping a tally/Kevin Richert, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

• It's a democracy unless you disagree with the speaker/Twin Falls Times-News

Question: How would you describe House Speaker Lawerence Denney in one word?