Sims: ‘Can’t believe I’m finally here … talking about urban renewal’

Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene, proposed legislation to require county-wide elections for urban renewal boards. “I can’t believe that I’m finally here and I’m finally talking about urban renewal,” she told the House Local Government Committee. “It’s been on my mind for many years. … To a great extent urban renewal taxpayer dollars have been abused by many throughout the state. … That’s what happens when the law is incorrectly written - predators move in and they exploit its good intentions.”

Sims’ bill would ban urban renewal commissioners from holding any other elected office. Acting Rep. Julie Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene, suggested that party precinct committee officers be excluded from that restriction, and Sims agreed to that change. The House Local Government Committee then voted to return the bill to Sims to let her make that change and re-introduce it.