BILLS: Paying a high price

“Manipulative” is the word that best describes Rep. Sage Dixon’s actions on Monday, April 8 at the House State Affairs Committee. Dixon introduced four bills that he said “were the same” as No. 1159 anti-initiative bill just vetoed by Gov. Little. That’s basically one bad apple cut into four rotten pieces.

Same questions with no logical answers: Why are stricter requirements attached to citizen-sponsored proposals than lawmaker-sponsored proposals? How can cutting time for collecting signatures by half (9 months instead of 18 months) be helpful for rural citizens? What limits do they put on themselves? Obviously none, if they can reintroduce a beaten horse!

Big question is “WHY?” is this so important to Dixon and Boise lobbyists. Well we know, just follow the money to find answers. Research ALEC, a corporate-funded organization that drafts models of state-level legislation. Its reported that Dixon attended as Idaho’s chair and the Secy of State recorded campaign donations to Dixon from numerous ALEC’s corporate sponsors, like Anheuser-Busch. Bottom-line, big corporations do not want WE the People proposing legislation.

Dixon’s 11th hour overtime in Boise is costing taxpayers an extra $35,000 per day.

REBECCA HOLLAND

Sandpoint