Trib: Keough Deserves Appointment

Ever since veteran Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, announced his departure to become Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter’s Department of Insurance director, there’s been considerable scuttlebutt about who would succeed him as co-chairman of the legislative budget committee. That panel is comprised of both House and Senate members and is officially known as the Joint Finance-Appriopriations Committee. And yet the choice for chairwoman on the Senate side is an obvious one — Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint. She’s qualified by experience, seniority and temperament. Now in her 10th term, that makes Keough not only the most senior senator on the budget committee but also the longest-serving woman senator in Idaho history. But she also carries with her the aspirations of those who are underrepresented in the state Capitol/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Sen. Shawn Keough’s appointment to co-chair the budget committee should be a slam dunk. Why do you suppose Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill is delaying the decision to fill the vacancy?