Edit: Powell Gets Pass From Senate D’s
For more than a year, Idaho Democrats have been griping about how Republican Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter’s administration botched an investigation into how Corrections Corporation of America bilked the state for unmanned guard shifts while it operated the Idaho Correctional Center outside Boise. About a year ago when it became clear Col. Ralph Powell, Otter’s appointee to run the Idaho State Police, quashed the inquiry, Democratic lawmakers — including Lewiston Rep. John Rusche — called on the FBI to take over the matter. Within a matter of days, the FBI and U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson did precisely that.
And throughout the fall campaign, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful A.J. Balukoff zeroed in on the case as an example of Otter’s poor stewardship. During their final televised debate on Oct. 30, an apparently rattled Otter insisted the federal investigation was preoccupied with CCA, not state government.That’s how political checks and balances are supposed to work. If Otter is stonewalling and his fellow Republicans are unwilling to rock the boat, Democrats should focus on the issue and hold them accountable. But something went haywire Monday. Full Lewiston Tribune editorial here.
Question: Should Powell have been reappointed to his ISP position without careful vetting for his role in investigating the Corrections Corporation of America?
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog