House OKs $2M Primary Boondoggle

The Senate has voted 50-19 in favor legislation for a new $2 million presidential primary election on the second Tuesday of March, over objections from Democrats, and a handful of Republicans, who said the political parties – not the state – should pay for that. “This bill is nothing but a cost shift from the general fund to supporting a political party,” declared House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, was among those speaking out in favor of the measure, SB 1066 . “The role of government is to make sure that elections are done uniformly and safely,” he told the House. “This bill is nothing but a cost shift from the general fund to supporting a political party,” declared House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, was among those speaking out in favor of the measure, SB 1066 . “The role of government is to make sure that elections are done uniformly and safely,” he told the House/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.

Question: There is no way to explain this vote other than follow-the-leader sheep mentality from North Idaho’s legislators. Absolutely shameful that our legislators would vote to waste money to attract some 2nd-tier GOP presidential candidates to the region. Thoughts?