Keep your eye on Boise
According to the Jan. 23 PBS Idaho Reports, all bills introduced to the Idaho Legislature must have a fiscal impact statement. According to this report that isn't any real oversight as to the verification of the fiscal statement. Our legislators are on their honor to put a reasonable and realistic amount when they present the bill. This video segment can be accessed on Idaho PBS ... the pertinent minutes are 18-34.
Idaho SB1254-Guns on Campus-please notice the fiscal impact statement given by Sen. Curt McKenzie, an attorney, who has served several years in the Idaho Legislature. He states "FISCAL NOTE-There is a de minimus fiscal impact associated with posting signage at public entertainment facilities."
The Feb. 3 Idaho Statesman carried an article by Bill Dentzer (and reported in the Feb. 3 Spokesman Review) entitled, "2014 Concealed weapons law costs Idaho colleges $3.7 million." You may access the original article for breakdown of costs by campus.
Remember, ALL the Idaho public colleges and universities, the State Board of Education and many of the police departments testified against this bill. And obviously no one heard and paid attention to the costs given by those experts.
OK, some of the $3.7 million was used to do some upgrading of security systems that will be beneficial anyway but with the U.S. Census Bureau 2014 estimating that Idaho had a population of 1,634,464 - mmm, that comes out to $2.26 per person - every child, woman and man in Idaho.
What would happen to a person in private business that under-estimated a new policy or construction by over $3 million?
The legislators aren't going to fund the $3.7 million so the costs are coming out of higher education budgets that have already taken major hits for the past several years!
So, why did we need this bill. Well, this is one of many bills sponsored and pushed by the NRA. The same NRA who grades our legislators. Those legislators not getting an "A" most likely will not get re-elected. Then there is A.L.E.C. ALEC, through their corporate friends, actually writes hundreds, if not thousands, model bills that the legislators of the 50 states can copy and introduce as their own.
The National Rifle Association was the 2011 corporate co-chair of the Public Safety and Elections for ALEC. This is the category where there is a "Campus Personal Protection Act" model bill approved by full ALEC Board of Directors in June 2008. This is one of many model bills. Go to websites for "ALEC" and "ALEC Exposed."
On www.NRAPVF.ORG There is the headline: that shouts "NRA-POLITICAL VICTORY FUND ACHIEVES HISTORIC 2014 MIDTERM ELECTION VICTORIES." They brag that they played a pivotal role in increasing pro-gun majorities in both chambers of U.S. Congress. They brag about re-electing pro-gun governors in six states, including Idaho and Montana. And they had great successes in races for the U.S. House claiming they backed more than 44 candidates that won! Oh, and they were able to get rid of a "anti-gun" governor.
The NRA receives less than half of its revenues from program fees and membership dues. Most of the rest comes from contributions, grants, advertising, with the majority of the monies from the gun industry. (Business Insider Jan. 16, 2013.)
Folks, this is not a level playing field. Remember, in some districts in Idaho, earning less than an A grade from the NRA is political suicide for the legislator.
This all about money and power and influence. It isn't about hearing the stakeholders, unless the stakeholder is a large corporation. Corporations funding ALEC write model laws that give them advantages over the rest of us. Check the websites. Many of laws being introduced in our state Legislature are written by ALEC at the request of their corporate sponsors. These laws reach into every facet of our lives.
Keep informed. Watch Idaho Reports is on Friday at 8 p.m. The Idaho Secretary of State site has campaign finance information on the elected officials. Read the scanned reports.
Donna Goodwin is a Hayden resident.