Several state lawmakers haven’t pitched any bills during each of the past two legislative sessions, but only one – Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins – hasn’t introduced any pieces of legislation in the last two years. Shepherd says that measuring legislators by the amount of bills they propose isn’t a formula for success.
According to voting data collected by IdahoVotes.com, several lawmakers, Republican and Democrats, didn’t introduce any bills in 2010. Sen. John Andreason, R-Boise, has the distinction of being the only member of the Legislature’s higher body to not pitch any bills in the latest session, which ended on March 29. Reps. Lenore Hardy Barrett, R-Challis, Maxine Bell, R-Twin Falls, Brent Crane, R-Nampa, Jim Marriott, R-Blackfoot, James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, Robert Schaefer, R-Nampa, and Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Wallace, joined Shepherd in not bringing any new legislation before the House in 2010.
Shepherd said that he hasn’t brought new legislation because he’s not working hard, but rather that his values prevent him from doing so. ”I don’t think we need more laws and government intervention,” explained Shepherd. ”I think we need fewer laws.” Several lawmakers have accumulated double-digits in number of bills introduced, which Shepherd says shouldn’t necessarily be used as a performance barometer for legislators. ”I think the biggest thing is how you work the issues with fellow legislators and listening to interest groups to make the best decision possible,” he said. ”I know they (those who propose many bills) have good intentions, but we need less government intervention.” Shepherd plans to author legislation in the 2011 session, but didn’t share specifics of any ideas.
IdahoVotes.com only counts legislators who are the primary sponsor of a bill when concluding who has introduced legislation. Shepherd told IdahoReporter.com that though he didn’t bring any new legislation before committees, he had co-sponsored some bills and worked to get them passed.
Barrett, one of the most outspoken members of the Idaho House, says that measuring the success of legislators based on how many bills they pitch is nonsense. ”We pass too dang many bills,” said Barrett. ”That’s been a sore point with me for years.” Barrett said that she did advocate a bill in 2010 dealing with sound currency that never received a full committee hearing. Is Barrett worried about not making progress in the Idaho Legislature if she doesn’t propose new legislation? Not really. ”I’m not one of those that think they have dropped the ball if I don’t have some damn bill out there,” she explained.
If it were up to her, Barrett says, legislators would only meet in Boise to craft new legislation once every-other year, instead of coming together on an annual basis. She also points out that the quantity of the bills doesn’t necessarily mean quality measures are being considered. ”It’s easier to not do something than to do something wrong and then need to go back and fix it,” Barrett concluded. ”Sometimes, you just have to say no.”
Note: IdahoVotes.com, like IdahoReporter.com, is a product of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
