Capitol diary: Capitol affords view of diversity

This week we celebrated “Buy Idaho” day, an annual event when the Capitol is filled with vendors and agencies representing the diversity of Idaho and its people and products. Ballard Cheese from Gooding (served at the Coeur d’Alene Resort), Big Sky Maps, White Cloud Coffee, and on and on – a list of entrepreneurs reflecting the great diversity of our state.

Sitting at my desk, surveying my fellow House members, I see the same diversity. Lawyers from Boise and Pocatello, a retired engineer from Bonneville Power Administration, a contractor from McCall, farmers from the southeast, nurses, teachers, doctors, businessmen, a retired school librarian and a student from the master’s program at Boise State University. Seventy individuals, ranging in age from 27 to 84, reflecting all walks of life, matched by an equally diverse group of 35 senators. Our citizen Legislature: 105 individuals with unique talents and knowledge, each representing a diversity of interests that in itself is impressive.

In terms of issues, the same diversity is there. From the all-important, like sales tax on food, to the less important, like letting motorcyclists proceed through a red light after a stop, the range is amazing. Complicating it all is the diversity of opinion and views on the issues. From libertarian to liberal, and all shades between, the range of thought reflects the diversity of the members and the regions they serve.

Over the years, this diversity has amazed me – what makes it work? I believe it is a common desire of the members to serve the people of their districts and the state of Idaho. From the pomp and circumstance of a governor’s State of the State speech, the tedium of an hours-long committee meeting, the struggle over budgets and bills, the rewards of helping a constituent, to the rigors of campaigning, your citizen legislators find their common purpose in serving you. What I now realize is that this diversity is part of the greatness of our state.