Editorials
Taking Steps To Reduce Fire Risk
Last year, more than 1,000 wildland fires burned more than 1.6 million acres in Idaho alone. A significant fire threat is expected again this year. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Predictive Servicesunit is forecasting "above normal potential for significant fire activity" in portions of Idaho. Southern and central Idaho are dry with substantial forest and rangeland fuel loads. As we prepare for another potentially difficult fire year, taking steps to better ensure the safety o… Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Using Tax Scrutiny To Chill Speech Is Intolerable
The recently-revealed targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for additional tax scrutiny is outrageous and goes against the freedoms on which our nation was founded. The federal government is supposed to work for the American people and help strengthen our nation, not tear down our freedoms from within. That is why we must do everything we can to hold the IRS accountable for these inexcusable attempts to silence political dissent, and strong reforms must be impl… Continue Reading
June 03, 2013
Taking County Funds Is Not The Solution
The Budget Control Act of 2011, a concept first proposed by the Obama administration, requires across-the-board spending reductions in federal government programs. For Fiscal Year 2013, the estimated sequester is $85 billion and would apply to federal agencies and programs unless otherwise exempted by law. The administration has been implementing sequestration based on its priorities. The administration's decision to cut Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools and Self Deter… Continue Reading
May 27, 2013
Honoring Citizen Soldiers
This Memorial Day we join with family and friends to honor the many brave Americans who we depend on to secure our homeland, while remembering the sacrifices of those who lost their lives defending our freedoms. As we reflect on the service of these brave men and women, we must count among them the citizen soldiers who make up our National Guard and Reserve forces. These men and women are an essential part of our military and, along with all members of our armed services, they have my utmost r… Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Multiple-Use Management Cannot Be Lost
It seems that in recent years there has been a decreased focus on ensuring multiple use of public lands. Multiple use of public lands remains the most effective utilization of our natural resources, and it is the guiding law for their management. It is central to balancing the needs of those who enjoy the outdoors and those who rely on public lands for their businesses. It allows for the productive use of the land and protection of the environmental services these lands provide. Unfortunate… Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Watching The Watchdog
As part of our government's system of checks and balances, Congress conducts oversight over agencies to bring about transparency and accountability. This is even more necessary with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was established unlike any other federal department or agency. Unlike most federal agencies, it does not have to justify its actions or expenditures and the director holds unique power to determine the agency's budget and mission priorities without any public d… Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
From The Mailbag: FAA Airport Towers
As active participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the chance to contact me, I post the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my responses on my website. The top issues constituents have contacted me about recently include concerns about funding cuts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would remove contracted control tower service in many small cities acros… Continue Reading
April 29, 2013
Additional Cost-Saving Steps Needed
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released its annual report to Congress that identifies potentially redundant government programs and opportunities to save billions of dollars through eliminating government overlap. The agency also took stock of progress in reducing previously identified duplication, overlap and fragmentation, meaning multiple agencies conducting programs or activities in the same area in the federal government. GAO provided recommendations of steps tha… Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Conservation That Counts
The best way to ensure that we continue to have clean water and air, productive soil and healthy habitat for wildlife is by working cooperatively with property owners to promote conservation. Collaborative conservation efforts result in lasting commitment to real improvements. These voluntary efforts are preferable to heavy-handed, blunt regulations that result in little actual improvement. It would be hard to argue the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been successful in recovering species. … Continue Reading
April 15, 2013
The Impacts Of EPA Regulations
Business owners know to plan for change. In our evolving, global economy, they understand that there will be ups and downs due to market and policy changes. They understand that operating a business, whether it is a ranch, farm or retail store, involves risks. However, they should be able to expect that our government will not pursue federal policies when the benefits do not outweigh the costs. Unfortunately, there are too many examples of federal regulations that make it harder to do busine… Continue Reading
April 08, 2013
Cleanup, Redevelopment and Jobs
For years, the Linen Building at the northwest corner of 14 th and Grove Streets in Boise was vacant due to concerns about contamination stemming from its historic uses involving commercial laundry, fuel storage and cleaning solvent storage. This historic property, in the heart of Boise's downtown, was cleaned up, redeveloped and now houses businesses, an event center, an art gallery and a parking area. The Environmental Council of the States reported that development of the Linen Building le… Continue Reading
April 01, 2013
Irresponsible Budgeting
As the first time in almost four years that the Senate debated a budget resolution, the Senate's recent debate of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Resolution was welcome. Unfortunately, the irresponsible budget, which was enacted by a vote of 50 to 49, was filled with greater spending, taxes and debt. We can, and must, do better. This budget increases spending by 62 percent over the next decade, raises taxes up to $1.5 trillion and does nothing to reform unsustainable entitlement programs that, i… Continue Reading
March 25, 2013
A Step In The Right Direction For Families
Congress recently passed and President Obama signed bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for another five years. Beyond being a bright spot in a divided Congress, this legislation helps to reduce the abuse that destroys families. Throughout my time representing the interests of Idahoans, I have had the opportunity to visit Idaho shelters and attend briefings by local and state domestic violence abuse prevention advocates. Among these experiences is a visi… Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Energy Production Benefits By The Numbers
The Institute For Energy Research (IER), which researches functions, operations and government regulation of global energy markets, recently released a report titled "Beyond the Congressional Budget Office: The Additional Economic Effects of Immediately Opening Federal Lands To Oil and Gas Leasing." The study reiterates that expanding domestic energy sources could immediately create millions of jobs and generate billions in revenue to reduce our federal debt, while also furthering our energy i… Continue Reading
March 11, 2013
Let Idaho Endure Forever
President Abraham Lincoln helped establish Idaho by signing into law, on March 4, 1863, legislationcreating the Idaho Territory. This 150-year anniversary of the Idaho Territory lets us reflect on our state's remarkable history and accomplishments. Before Idaho became a state in 1890, it was part of several territorial reorganizations. It was first included in the Oregon Territory (1848-1853); then divided between the Washington Territory and Oregon Territory until 1859. When Oregon becam… Continue Reading
March 04, 2013
The Worst Of All Possible Options Is Doing Nothing
Senator Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming), Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) and President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Maya MacGuineas recently joined us at a federal fiscal issues symposiumhosted by the University of Idaho's McClure Center for Public Policy Research. The symposium provided an opportunity for us to sit down with some of those working to find solutions to America's fiscal crisis and discuss with Idahoans the debt crisis that threatens our nation's future. America… Continue Reading
February 25, 2013
Prioritizing Regulatory Reform
My heart goes out to the bookkeepers and small business owners across the nation who spend hours wading through thousands of pages of often-puzzling and changing federal regulation to conduct business. The Mercatus Center reported that in 2011 Americans had to comply with 165,000 pagesof federal regulations. This bureaucracy is an unnecessary drain on our economy that impedes our nation's growth. That is why as part of the solution for the fiscal crisis I will continue to advocate for elimi… Continue Reading
February 18, 2013
Focus Must Be On Jobs, Economic Recovery
Like many, I watched with great interest President Obama's recent State of the Union Address, in which he outlined his priorities. Fiscal reform and economic growth should top the list of priorities for the President and Congress over the next four years. The debt crisis is the most pressing issue facing our nation today. In the midst of this crisis, the President and Congress have the opportunity to reform our badly broken tax system, address the federal spending problem and promote a sustai… Continue Reading
February 11, 2013
From The Mailbag: Second Amendment Rights
As active participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the chance to contact me, I post the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my responses on my website. The top issues constituents have contacted me about recently include action taken by the Obama Administration regarding firearms and Second Amendment rights. The following is my response: A number of ideas are being b… Continue Reading
February 04, 2013
Opportunities For The 113th Congress
The most important objective of this Congress should be to focus on efforts that solve our fiscal crisis, create jobs for Americans and get our economy on the right track. I have written about the opportunity that this Congress has to take long-term actions to improve our nation's economy and discussed some of the solutions, including reforming our broken tax code and stabilizing entitlement programs. We must also address the spending problem and strengthen budget enforcement mechanisms to st… Continue Reading
