JohnA: Idaho Is 3 States In 1

JohnA: I’m not sure why any sane person would want to serve in this state’s legislature. Whenever I’ve testified before them over the years I’ve always come away with a feeling of disconnect. I believe that’s because there are really three Idahos. There’s the Mormon-dominated southeastern Idaho, the newly-urban Ada/Canyon Idaho and of course our very own north Idaho. I’m not sure any state in the country can say their own people have so little in common. This is the great divide that keeps Idaho backwards in so many ways, from funding education to building and maintaining roads. Many of my friends have served from here and often can’t wait to get out. Their enthusiasm to make a difference is dashed from the get-go, it seems. That’s the amazing thing about Idaho, with its one party rule, that so little gets done every year. Maybe things will change one day. One can only hope.

Question: What would you try to accomplish if you served in the Idaho Legislature?