Let’s Repeal Both Gas Tax Hikes
Hmmm. Seems funny that Capitol Hill Republicans are hot to repeal a 1993 federal gasoline tax hike, but Idaho Republicans are mum about a 1996 state gas tax increase. Yep. Kansas Sen. Bob Dole even left his plush Senate office to stump in the rain at a gas station for repeal of the 4.3-cents-per-gallon tax foisted on us by President Clinton and his Democratic friends. No Gem State Republican, however, is saying anything about the 4-cents-per-gallon tax slapped on us by Gov. Phil Batt and his Republican buddies - a $34 million annual tax jump. The Idaho increase went into effect on April Fools’ Day when self-serve unleaded gas was selling for $1.17 per gallon. Now, it’s selling for $1.40 and climbing. I say: Repeal both gas tax hikes and give us working stiffs a fighting chance at the pumps.
Is shoot-first approach worth $27 million?
What’s this? A man shoots and wounds a Bonner County deputy responding to an assault call and now wants $27.4 million in damages because the cops shot back and arrested him? This could happen only in America. Land of the Frivolous Tort Claim. Home of the Brassy Barrister. Claimant Reyhan Higgins, 21, should consider himself lucky he didn’t kill or wasn’t killed during the November gunfight - and let it go at that. He should consider himself luckier still that his case was botched from the start and no charges were filed against him. He still might be sitting in the hoosegow if he had tried his shoot-first, ask-questions-later approach in Kootenai County.
Sandpoint festival sucker-punched again
You’ve got to feel for the Festival at Sandpoint. Just when the festival was getting its house in order, a Sandpoint couple sued to evict it from Memorial Field this summer. Never mind that the City Council voted to oust the festival from Memorial Field after the 1997 season. Never mind that the festival gives the community a significant economic boost. The couple, Dale and Judy Millard, wants to block the festival’s 11 scheduled 1996 concerts. The Millards’ peace during the next two summers is more important than the enjoyment of thousands of others. So there.
Phone mail
Administrator Tom Taggart says Kootenai County won’t hike its recreation tax significantly next year - though it has the authority to levy $435,772. (A recent Hot Potato mentioned a much higher figure.) Currently, the county budgets $51,196 for parks and recreation. County commissioners have discussed the possibility of raising the recreation tax to pay for Centennial Trail maintenance.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.