For the week of May 7 - 13, 2003

Turn off the AC

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As legislators sped away from the Capitol City last week, the cloud they left behind was not dust. It was a growing current deficit, about $50 million to date.

They left knowing the state was spending more than it was generating in tax revenue.

They’ll be back.

To avoid a special session, the governor would have to shut down or seriously curtail government services including universities, prisons, health and welfare services, and law enforcement.

Not a pretty sight. And, not likely. Yet, it’s questionable whether the same group of Idaho legislators who brought us the longest legislative session in Idaho history, 118 days, are up to the task of fixing the deficit.

Based on their current record, partisan chest-pounding alone could consume half the summer. Dawdling and ducking could run into the fall.

So, in the spirit of saving money and generating law-making efficiency, air-conditioning at the capitol building should be banned during any summer session. The kitchen should be closed, and the dress code enforced.

After all, savings should start at home.

The move could create sensibility and efficiency where there has been none.

Boise’s no mountain town—it’s parched desert in the summer. Sun-baked asphalt compounds high temperatures downtown—where the capitol sits.

Every time legislators think of declaiming in committee, they will have to ask themselves if they can withstand another degree or two.

Locking the kitchen should further insure that the session is short. It also will provide a free new health benefit for legislators: weight loss. Loss of kitchen privileges should eliminate the personal poundage problem produced by prolonged sessions.

Others might view this as a state beautification project.

The special session has every chance of becoming a re-run of the first. Turning off the air-conditioning is probably the state’s best chance for fast resolution of its revenue problems.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.