Risch Does About-Face On Wilderness

Item: Sen. Jim Risch does an about-face on the wilderness bill: The freshman senator’s change of heart pits him against a fellow Republican he’s served with for more than two decades in the Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol /Rocky Barker, Idaho Statesman

More Info: Republican Sen. Jim Risch’s opposition to a wilderness bill he co-sponsored is the main obstacle keeping it from passing, said Rep. Mike Simpson Thursday. Risch said he opposes the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act as it’s written and only agreed to co-sponsor it with Republican Sen. Mike Crapo as a favor to Simpson. Simpson, speaking to the Statesman Thursday, said he didn’t need that kind of a favor.

Question: Why do you think Risch is double crossing Simpson on this important wilderness bill?