Governor responds to critics

Despite problems with the economy and state holdbacks, the state is moving forward and is one of only two during the last year that has seen any growth in jobs, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said in a wide-ranging series of remarks during a fundraiser held at Carmela Winery in Glenns Ferry Saturday.

Kempthorne said that during a recent conversation with the director of the federal Office of Management and Budget, "he told me that what we've managed to accomplish out here, if it had happened in Washington, D.C., it would have been called miraculous and heroic."

Kempthorne said that the cuts and holdbacks he has ordered during the last year were painful, "but if the average taxpayer is suffering (due to the economy) then your government should have to suffer right along with you. The government should not be immune from what the people are facing."

He noted that the latest round of holdbacks and cuts he has ordered state agencies to undertake specifically exempted any further cuts in public schools and higher education.

"When the decision had to be made, I told everyone they could use me as the fall guy. Well," he laughed, "they took me up on it."

He noted the cuts forced many state agencies to become more efficient. The Department of Health and Welfare, for example, had 26 people working on welfare fraud, but in several different departments. Consolidating those efforts allowed them to cut to six people, who have actually resolved a higher percentage of cases than the larger staff did.

He said that despite the strains on the state budget caused by the poor economy, the state was one of the few in the nation to receive a top rating by Wall Street analysts for its bonding potential. "Standard and Poors said that, and I'm quoting here, 'we like the early and decisive action of leadership in Idaho and the legislature backs that up.' "

The governor's opponent, Jerry Brady, has been hammering on the issue of jobs, but Kempthorne noted that he could point to direct evidence in Elmore County of his efforts to keep jobs in the state. As a senator, one of his last acts was to ensure the survival of Mountain Home AFB, and one of his first acts as governor was, as a member of the land board, to sign the lease for the new training range.

"This is the finest base in the nation," he added. "These young men and women are the finest you'll find, and we should all be proud of them."

He also addressed an issue important to the citizens of Glenns Ferry, concerning his efforts to de-list from the endangered species act several Snake River snails, whose listing had caused problems for local farmers, especially those seeking government backed loans.

He said sound science had shown "there's plenty of snails to go around" and his objective is to see all five de-listed.

"The idea of just listing a species and then going on is wrong. I've put in to de-list the wolf and I've drawn a line in the sand that we won't have any grizzlies," he said to the applause of the two-score Glenns Ferry residents attending the fundraiser.

Kempthorne noted that he had tried, as much as possible, to insulate schools from the cutbacks he had ordered, but sharply criticized those who were attempting to paint Republicans as anti-education.

"When I see political parties arguing over who cares more about kids, that's bull. Any society that doesn't make young people its number one priority is in trouble," he said, contending that he had asked the legislature for increases in the education budget each of his four years in office.

He also cited his reforms of the marriage tax, ending the penalty for married citizens, and changes in how farm machinery and equipment is taxed, providing considerable tax savings to farmers.

And in regard to the controversial permanent tax cut, Kempthorne said that by "providing some personal income tax relief, so you get to keep some of your money, well, in a recession, that's not all bad."

Kempthorne used the opportunity of the fundraiser to praise a number of members of the local Glenns Ferry community for their service to the local area and to the state, and recognized those local candidates seeking office, urging voters to send a Republican delegation from Elmore County to the state legislature.