INITIATIVE: Keep it intact for Idaho

Idaho’s legislative maneuver (SB 1108) to increase the degree of difficulty in qualifying a citizen initiative runs counter to principles of democracy and fairness. The Idaho Farm Bureau, which seeks to require a minimum signature threshold in a majority of state legislative districts, simply wants to make the initiative process unusable, and to dominate the discussion of its issues at the state capitol.

The Humane Society of the United States has never used the initiative process in Idaho on agriculture issues. HSUS backed a 1996 initiative to restrict bear baiting and spring bear hunting, WHICH MANY HUNTERS AGREE ARE INHUMANE AND UNACCEPTABLE. Though we didn’t like the massive spending against it or the scare tactics involved, that’s the way the process works. In the end, the people speak, and they provide the ultimate control on the use of the initiative process.

The only animal welfare initiative discussed in Idaho in the last decade has been to upgrade Idaho’s anemic anti-cruelty statute. Forty-seven states impose felony-level penalties for malicious acts of cruelty. The vast majority of Idahoans wants that reform, and there should be a usable initiative process to allow IDAHO VOTERS TO HAVE THEIR SAY if THE POLITICIANS FAIL TO ACT.

LISA KAUFFMAN

Boise