One gripe I had about the Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press-Tribune endorsing Rep. Steve Kren (Nampa, 13B) was that they both acknowledged his weak performances as an appointed two-term representative. Everyone knew that Kren, after two sessions still had a lot to learn, he was still behind the curve.
There was talk about letting him learn the ropes, but that more was expected of him in the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions.
Well, Nampa, you get what you vote for -- while we should have dedicated lifelong educator Byron Yankey representing Nampa in the legislature when Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna is planning to slash the education budget. Instead we have a representative doing his own bidding and the bidding for big Idaho lobbyists...
(For Example)
...Rule to toughen septic-system standards narrowly clears subcommittee
A House subcommittee narrowly approved a rule toughening standards for new septic systems Tuesday, but a final decision on changes opposed by the Idaho Association of Realtors won't be made for some time.
On a 3-2 vote, the subcommittee of the House, Energy and Environment Committee sent the rule to the full committee with a recommendation for approval. Supporters were GOP Reps. Eric Anderson of Priest Lake and Steve Hartgen of Twin Falls and Democrat Elaine Smith of Pocatello. GOP Reps. Steve Kren of Nampa and Dick Harwood of St. Maries wanted the rule referred with a recommendation it be rejected.
No worry that Kren accepted $750 from the Idaho Realtor's PAC, you know, the PAC that was just accused of bribing candidates exactly for votes on septic systems. Even after the Idaho Realtor's PAC was outed red-handed by an Treasure Valley Republican, Kren, unabashedly voted for the PAC's concerning the laws governing septic systems...
But no, that wasn't Kren's only stumble of the week old legislative session:
Panel peppers Kren with questions
Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa, got himself peppered with questions today when he proposed legislation in the House Resources Committee to limit so-called "super hunts" mostly to state residents, allowing only 10 percent of the permits to go to non-residents...
“I think it’s important that Fish & Game works hard for the sportsmen, and understands that it’s the residents of the state who they work for.”
Kren, who said he’s entered the raffle himself “a couple of years” since it began four years ago, never checked with Fish & Game before introducing the bill. F&G information supervisor Ed Mitchell said the super hunt permits are a special deal, “a whole separate thing to raise money for our Access Yes program.” That program pays landowners for easements to allow hunters access; it’s ensured access to about half a million acres statewide so far, and the department hopes to take it up to a million acres. Last year, the super hunt raffle raised about $140,000 for the access program.
[...]
Resources committee members closely questioned Kren about whether his bill would cost Fish & Game money at a time when it’s strapped and seeking a fee increase. “Will that impact revenues for Fish & Game?” asked Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene. “I don’t believe it will,” Kren responded.
When do we hold our legislatures accountable?
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