Logic That Taxes Our Patience

So, the Idaho Legislature, which has whined all session about tight times despite a $1.4 billion budget, now wants to give a tax break to spec-home builders? C’mon. What building industry lobbyist threw a spell over the Idaho House of Representatives? The House unanimously passed a bill that would make newly built houses exempt from property taxes until they are occupied. The only North Idaho legislator who didn’t endorse this nonsense was state Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden Lake, one of four who missed the vote. Unless the Senate rejects this bill, we property owners will have to dig deeper to make up for the lost tax revenue from the building industry. In Kootenai County, where 1,900 homes are on the market, property taxpayers could take a big hit. Can you say “corporate welfare,” children? We should remember votes like this when our “representatives” come around, hat in hand, seeking another term.

Crow, Boatright play roulette with students

On the Senate side, North Idaho’s two freshmen showed more sense than its two sophomores where children’s safety is a concern. Despite a valiant uphill fight by state Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, the Senate voted 20-15 this week not to require stricter snow-load standards for school roofs. The Bonner County School District averted disaster this winter only because no one was below when the roof of the high school gym collapsed. State Sen. Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene, supported his North Idaho colleague, but Sens. Gordon Crow, R-Hayden, and Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, didn’t. Afterward, state Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, harrumphed that commissioners in Bonner and Boundary counties could adopt the University of Idaho’s stiffer snow-load standards. Obviously, Denton’s hometown of Declo must be somewhere on the moon. Bonner County commissioners don’t believe in building departments - let alone stiffer roof rules.

Century Communications keeps M’s in dark

Channel 58, the Little Cable Channel That Could, has risen from the ashes and landed a new contract to broadcast the Seattle Mariners - only to be thwarted by Century Communications. Seems CC took Channel 58 off its programming lineup a while back and, despite having several channel spaces available, won’t put the local station back on the air. That means cable viewers will miss out on a host of baseball games from what could be the Mariners’ best baseball season ever. Can someone explain the method behind Century Communications’ March madness?

, 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 or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.