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Civics test for lawmakers

Mon., March 16, 2015

The March 10 Spokesman-Review reports that the Idaho Senate has passed a bill requiring high school students to pass a civics test in order to receive their diploma. That is probably a sound idea, but I think the bill could be improved.

I propose that the Idaho House amend the Senate bill to require that the same test be taken by all sitting lawmakers, and all future candidates for the Legislature. The individual scores for current members should be prominently displayed on their official online profile pages and shown for all candidates in future voter pamphlets.

And yes, I realize that any current incumbent who has seen this letter is laughing themselves silly, but I am really quite serious about this.

Gary Smith

Spokane Valley

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