KevinR Gives Legislators D-Plus

This year, lawmakers met their constitutional requirement to balance the books, but utterly failed to show leadership on the state’s transportation problems. They have ducked all the tough decisions on road repairs and how to pay for them — leaving them to task forces, and perhaps to some future session. (Click here for today’s editorial.) Which, of course, they could. Lawmakers weren’t obligated to do anything on the road-repair issue — and for some, leaving town without a gas tax increase represents a victory. But it also represents ongoing delay, pushing back road repairs and driving up the cost to all taxpayers. This issue didn’t sneak up on anyone. It has topped Gov. Butch Otter’s agenda for two years. To talk around the fringes of the issue for 17 weeks, and leave town no closer to consensus or a long-term plan, isn’t acceptable/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

Question: What grade would you give the 2009 Legislature?