Keough faces challenge, challenger

In Shawn Keough’s 20th year in the Legislature, she’s also something of a newcomer. This is her first session co-chairing the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee , the powerful House-Senate panel that writes the state’s budget bills. The Sandpoint Republican will have a leading role in deciding where Idaho spends some $3.3 billion in 2016-17. The discussions on teacher pay, school district funding and other K-12 line items will start in Keough’s committee. Keough’s promotion reflects her legislative experience — she was honored earlier this year as the longest-serving female senator in state history — and reflects the respect she has earned from Senate leadership/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Education News. More here .

Question: Bonner-Boundary counties would be nuts to dump Keough? OTOH, the 1st District did elect Malheur Refuge occupation visitors Heather Scott and Sage Dixon. So it’s a possibility. Thoughts?