Richert: Economy? Or Ideology?

Legislative Republicans are doing one of two things with the state’s steadily downsizing budget, says James Ruchti. They are either cutting back because they firmly believe the economy won’t improve for the next 18 months, or they are using a crisis to size down state government to fit their ideology. If the latter is true, says Ruchti, a Pocatello Democrat and the House’s assistant minority leader, then “shame on them.” After two lengthy editorial board meetings with GOP and Democratic leadership, I don’t think it’s so clearcut/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

• Break out the popcorn, Blake Hall wants a trial /D2, 43rd State Blues
• Beware of ‘Rosebud Citizen Kane candidates’/ Dennis Mansfield
• Shooting the messenger in the dark /Fort Boise
• Why won’t Minnick consent to an interview?/ Idaho Conservative Blogger
• Who is doing the math?/ Rep. Nicole LeFavour, Notes from the Floor
• 2-fer: Daily politics brief , and: Friday morning news /Treasured Valley

Question: Do you think legislature Republicans are cutting back b/c they don’t think the economy will improve in the next 18 months? Or because they see a chance to use the bad economy to down-size government? Or is the truth somewhere in the middle?