Allred, standing on the steps of the Capitol in downtown Boise, welcomed the support of several current and former Republican officials from across the state, including state Rep. Rich Jarvis, a Republican from Meridian. Several other former state lawmakers including Dennis Hansen, Laird Noh, Hal Bunderson, and Judi Danielson – all Republicans – announced their backing of Allred.  Noh and former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus are serving as co-chairs for Allred’s campaign.

Jarvis was not at the Allred rally, but was represented by his son, who said that his father feels that Allred is the one who can unite Idaho.  ”Keith Allred is the example of the kind of Idahoan who is honest and wise,” said Jarvis’ son, reading a statement from his father.  But why would a sitting Republican legislator cross the aisle to support a Democrat opposing an incumbent Republican governor?  Jarvis’ statement said that keeping tax rates low while finding ways to provide a comprehensive education for Idaho’s schoolchildren are two areas where Allred will excel if elected in November.  ”We need both,” said Jarvis in the statement.

Jarvis was elected to the Idaho House in 2008 after defeating John Vander Woude in the Republican primary and Democrat Sharon Fisher in the general election.  Jarvis will not be returning to the Idaho House in 2011, because Vander Woude won the Republican nomination in District 21 in May. Vander Woude and Fisher are set to square off in November’s general election.

Allred, a former mediator, college professor, and founder of The Common Interest, isn’t the first Democrat in the state to utilize a crossover strategy to draw Republicans away from the incumbent.  Walt Minnick, serving his first term in Congress, deployed a similar strategy in 2008 in his race against Republican Bill Sali when Minnick’s campaign formed a “Republicans for Minnick” group, complete with specialty yard signs denoting membership in the group.  Minnick went on to defeat Sali by 1.2 percent in 2008’s general election.

Allred said he isn’t following Minnick’s strategy because it worked against Sali, but because it works for every facet of public service.  ”Well it’s the Walt Minnick plan, it’s the Cecil Andrus plan, and it is the plan of the Founding Fathers,” said Allred.  Utilizing his oft-used phrase for explaining his policy positions, Allred said that he needs supporters who represent “broad and diverse support,” a principle he said is vital to good government.

“This is not a casual decision for those of us who are Republicans,” said Noh, who explained that he believes Allred to be someone who can bring together parties from all sides to find bipartisan solutions. Noh served as a state senator from Twin Falls for several years.

Judi Danielson, a former Republican state senator from Council, summed it up for the group. “The decision is not to become a Democrat – the decision is to be an Allred supporter,” said Danielson.

Allred’s opponent, Republican Gov. Butch Otter, released his list of campaign co-chairs Monday.  The list includes state Sens. John McGee, R-Caldwell, Melinda Smyser, R-Parma, Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, Republican legislative candidates Mitch Toryanski, Reed DeMourdant, state Reps. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, and Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, among many others.

Otter says his own wide net of support will help Idahoans receive the message he is trying to send. “These community leaders play a vital role in my re-election campaign and I am extremely grateful to have them on my team,” said Otter.  “We have an important message for the people of Idaho and together, we all work throughout the state to make sure every citizen knows we are going in the right direction and we must stay the course.”

“The more philosophically we’re aligned, then certainly the easier it is,” said House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale.

However, he said it remains to be seen whether the Senate will shift to the right.  “Until they actually get here, you don’t really know how conservative they’re going to be,” Denney told IdahoReporter.com.  “I suspect that if they are as conservative as they claim to be that there will be some change.”

Republican senators Mike Jorgenson of Hayden, Gary Schroeder of Moscow, Lee Heinrich of Cascade, and Charles Coiner of Twin Falls all fell to challengers in Tuesday’s Republican primary.  All those challengers offer specific legislation where they would vote more conservatively.

Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens, who beat Jorgenson, said he takes a different approach on tax issues.  “He had voted to raise the gas tax and the drivers’ license fee and supported putting a tax on Internet sales,” Vick said about Jorgenson.  “I would oppose all of those things.  I feel like we’re taxed enough, so we didn’t need more taxes.”  Vick is a former Montana lawmaker who served on that state’s appropriations committee.

Gresham Bouma of Troy, who beat Schroder, said several policy issues separate him from the more moderate Schroeder, including wolves.  “He wants to manage them,” Bouma said.  “I think they need to be eliminated.  I see them as an alien invasive species.”  Schroeder chaired the Senate Environment and Resources Committee, which dealt with hunting and wolf issues, and favored expanding Idaho’s wolf hunt.  Many of Bouma’s other campaign issues dealt with Idaho’s response to federal policy.  “Between the wolves, cap and trade, and Obamacare, we could be out of business in north Idaho.”  Bouma faces a Democratic challenger in the November election in a district that has elected a Democratic state representative, Shirley Ringo of Moscow.

Twin Falls City Councilman Lee Heider criticized some of Coiner’s votes in the Senate.  “I think a lot of people were unhappy with his voting record, and I represented conservative values,” he said.  “I think that’s what the Republican Party was looking for, was someone that had been more conservative than Mr. Coiner had been.”  Coiner was one of three senators to oppose legislation requiring the state to file a lawsuit against federal health care reforms, and also opposed a plan creating conscience rights for health care workers on certain issues including abortion and end-of-life care.

Heinrich lost to rancher and part-time school teacher Sheryl Nuxoll of Cottonwood.  On her website, Nuxoll criticized Heinrich for opposing a plan that would create a tax break for an airplane repair company in Boise.  “I would have voted for the rebate to attract business, but the incumbent voted to kill the bill in committee,” she said on her website.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, who backed the rebate for plane repairs, said the decisions by voters in some districts could validate House Republicans.  “It sounds like maybe the House was right,” he said.  “Maybe the people realize that we need to help business grow and not hamstring it.”

The potential shift in Senate Republicans could trigger a change in Senate leadership next year.  Most  of the winning challengers in Tuesday’s primary wouldn’t say whether they would vote to keep Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, in charge, though Nuxoll said she wants to see a change at the top of the Senate.  “I’m hoping for a more conservative leadership,” she told IdahoReporter.com.

Two House incumbents also lost re-election bids.  Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa, was defeated by Christy Perry of Nampa.  Denney said he was surprised by Perry’s margin of victory—she won with 56 percent of the vote—while Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian said he was surprised Kren lost.  Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, was beaten by former seat holder John Vander Woude of Nampa.

The bill pushed by the students would have officially declared the Idaho Giant Salamander as the state amphibian.  The salamander is native to Idaho and the only animal that has “Idaho” in its name.  It typically is found only in central Idaho and a small corner of Montana and can reach a maximum of 12 inches in length.  They usually inhabit cold, clear lakes, ponds, and streams and adults have been known to feed on small mice, shrews, or snakes.

The effort began when a former teacher at the school decided to give students an interesting and unique lesson in civics and government.  The teacher, along with former students, worked to create a piece of legislation that would make it all the way through the Idaho Legislature.  That teacher recently left the school to move to Washington, D.C., but the bill lived on with students.

If the bill had passed, a listing for a state amphibian would have joined the state flower (syringa), fruit (wild huckleberry), gem (star garnet), and even a state dance (square dance) on the list of state-recognized cultural symbols.

One of the two teachers still at the school who helped student push the bill, Sharon Matthews, said, via a wall posting on IdahoReporter.com, that the project of pushing the bill is helping the students to understand their role in society and government.  Matthews added that she believes that students have both a responsibility and a right to learn how legislation is enacted.

Matthews also took time to argue against those who call the bill a waste of time, saying the “bill does not cost taxpayers anything, and cannot be considered frivolous.”  She added that the “benefits of students engaging in government processes are priceless and should be encouraged.”

Students saw it similarly.  Grace, a student in the class, said that she wanted the bill, which never received a hearing in State Affairs Committee in the House, to go farther “so we could’ve learned more about the how bills work.”

Still, some are disappointed in how things ended up.  ”I’m disappointed because people thought it was useless,” said Grace.   “I think we wasted a lot of time,” said Jenna.

Not all was a loss, however.  When asked what they learned about the political process during the adventure, students responded with some truths about the workings of any legislature.

“I learned that you can’t just come up with anything and have it passed,” said Emma.  ”A lot of people have to agree that it is good.”

“We could really make a difference with a lot of support,” said Katie.

A few students even learned about the relevance and application of government during the process.  ”I learned that government is actually useful, even though sometimes we don’t think it is,” said Ellie.

So will the salamander bill be back next year?  Students say yes.  How will next year’s efforts to pass the bill be different than those put forth by students this year, which included a visit to the Capitol building wearing pro-salamander shirts?

“We should probably get more support,” said Emma.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, said that unless there is “widespread support” among school kids from across the state, the issue is likely dead.  Though the quest to get the bill through the Legislature failed, Jarvis believes the effort wasn’t a total worthless.

I think the kids learned a lot,” said Jarvis. “It allowed kids to see what happens and become involved in government.”

“Right now, our federal government operates at a deficit every year, and we continue to grow that deficit,” said Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa.  “We’re taking debt for things we want today and imposing that on the next generation.”  McKenzie said the non-binding resolution will send a message from Idaho to Washington, D.C.  “This may not have a significant substantive effect, but it voices Idaho’s policy with regards to federalism,” he said.

Part of that federal spending that leads to a deficit goes to Idaho, Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, told lawmakers.  “I want to remind everybody that we receive some kind of benefit from the federal government,” she said.  “All of us are not happy with the direction of a lot of government … I understand the anger, but we have to recognize that we’re part of this, too.”   She said Idaho lawmakers could take a stronger stand against the federal deficit by not accepting federal funds for road construction, human services, or other programs.

Read IdahoReporter.com‘s story the introduction of the resolution by Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian.

“We are at a critical time in our country,” said Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, who is backing the resolution that passed the House on March 4.   “The path that we are on is unsustainable.”  Jarvis’ resolution to Congress also encourages that English should be the exclusive language for the affairs of government and welcomes references to God in public places.

The plan now heads to the Senate for a full vote.  Read IdahoReporter.com‘s story on a House committee approving the resolution here.  The text of the resolution, HCR44, is available here.

House members voted 50-17 to approve the resolution on a party line vote, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposing it.  The resolution now heads to the Senate.

The Jarvis resolution focused on seven main points:

1. Congress should adopt a balanced budget.
2. The public debt of the United States should be paid within 55 years.
3. There should be transparency in all affairs of government and all bills proposed by Congress should be posted for five days before being voted upon.
4. The English language should be the official language for the U.S. government and no business, government, or individual should suffer a penalty for requiring the use of the English language.
5. Foreign entities and courts, including the United Nations, should not have authority over activities within the United States.
6. Congress should prevent government ownership of private sector enterprises.
7. References to “God” shall be welcome in the public domain.

Jarvis said the debt situation in the United States is urgent and needs to have the foremost attention of federally elected officials.  He noted that the U.S. would be required to pay$40 trillion to pay off the debt within 55 years at a 6 percent interest rate, but that figure is legitimate if Congress stops adding to the debt.  Jarvis said that according to projections, Congress is expected to double the debt within 15 years.

Rep. Branden Durst, D-Boise, said the resolution is “like trying to pick your favorite child” because there are certain provisions contained in the text that he agrees with, but there are some that he isn’t fond of.  Durst said that the rhetoric of Jarvis’ bill was concerning because he believes it to be divisive in a country that is supposed to be united.

Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, echoed Durst’s sentiments, saying that he likes many of the provisions in the bill, but said some of them don’t go far enough.  Burgoyne said he would like to see term limit language included in the bill, as well as wording providing support

“We are one nation,” said Burgoyne.  He urged lawmakers to vote against the resolution due to the English-only language because he feels it is also divisive.  He told lawmakers he feels that the English-only language would do much harm to those immigrants coming to this country to gain citizenship by denying the federal government the ability to deal with immigrants in their own language.

“I also believe that we are also one nation, under God, indivisible,” said Burgoyne.

“One language unites,” said Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home.  Nielsen said that his grandfather taught him English as a way to unite him and his family with the culture of America.

Rep. Lenore Hardy Barrett, R-Challis, requested a roll call vote, which is typically not held on resolutions.  Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, acting as speaker of the House, granted Barrett’s request.

Jarvis appeared before the House State Affairs Committee Monday to urge lawmakers to pass his legislation on to the full House.  He said that in only six of the last 35 years has the federal government cut down the national debt, which, Jarvis believes, precludes the debt from being “a partisan issue.”  He said if the government planned to pay off the national debt within 55 years, it would be required to pay approximately $65 billion a month, or a total of $786 billion each year. (View a real-time national debt clock here.)

On the balanced budget portion of the resolution, Jarvis said the federal government would need to cut total spending by about 53 percent in this budget year alone.

The full seven points from the Jarvis resolution include:

1. Congress should adopt a balanced budget.
2. The public debt of the United States should be paid within 55 years.
3. There should be transparency in all affairs of government and all bills proposed by Congress should be posted for five days before being voted upon.
4. The English language should be the official language for the U.S. government and no business, government, or individual should suffer a penalty for requiring the use of the English language.
5. Foreign entities and courts, including the United Nations, should not have authority over activities within the United States.
6. Congress should prevent government ownership of private sector enterprises.
7. References to “God” shall be welcome in the public domain.

About the point referring to the U.N., Jarvis said he was misunderstood in the print hearing and that he does not want to remove the U.S. from the U.N., but would voice opposition to the U.N. or any other foreign entity from governing affairs within the borders of the U.S.

Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, spoke in favor of the resolution, saying that the committee often faces “nice” resolutions, but that this is “the type of thing we need to make a statement on.”

The measure passed on a 12-5 party line vote, with Republicans supporting the resolution and Democrats opposing it.  It now moves on the full House for a vote.

(Note: During his visit to the Idaho House of Representatives, Rep. Walt Minnick, a Democrat representing Idaho’s 1st congressional district, thanked Jarvis for bringing the resolution.  Read about it here.)

In his speech, Jarvis outlined the seven points on which his resolution relies.  They include:

1. Congress should adopt a balanced budget.
2. The public debt of the United States should be paid within 55 years.
3. There should be transparency in all affairs of government and all bills proposed by Congress should be posted for five days before being voted upon.
4. The English language should be the official language for the U.S. government and no business, government, or individual should suffer a penalty for requiring the use of the English language.
5. Foreign entities and courts, including the United Nations, should not have authority over activities within the United States.
6. Congress should prevent government ownership of private sector enterprises.
7. References to “God” shall be welcome in the public domain.

If passed by the Idaho Legislature, Jarvis said he intends to work to pass the resolution on to legislatures in every other state to encourage them to pass similar measures.  He added that if that happens, it will send a louder message to Washington, D.C., about the desires of the states.

Some legislators were not impressed with the resolution and questioned the wording and Jarvis’ ideology concerning the federal government.

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, said she could not support the measure unless references to the United Nations (UN) were “cleaned up,” with specific regard to UN treaties and resolutions concerning human trafficking.  Jarvis said that after consultation with other lawmakers, he felt the wording was appropriate.

Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise, objected more sharply, criticizing Jarvis for “berating the federal government.”  She questioned how Jarvis could support the push to bring F-35 jets, a federal government program, to Idaho, while he proposes legislation that reprimands the feds for other actions.

“On the one hand we are berating the federal government, but on the other hand we are asking for a major air command unit to move into the state,” said Pasley-Stuart.  ”There seems to me a conflict there.”

Jarvis said that the jets and defense programs of the sort are government programs that are within the acceptable role of government.  ”For us to maintain freedom, we need to maintain a strong country,” said Jarvis.

Pasley-Stuart continued her objections and moved to kill the bill before it receives a full hearing.  The committee members voted down her motion on a 14-4 mostly party line vote, with Rep. Mary Lou Sheperd, D-Wallace, joining Republicans to oppose Pasley-Stuart’s move.

The resolution was eventually introduced on a 14-2 vote and will receive a formal hearing before the committee in upcoming weeks.

Minnick, a Democrat and 1^st District congressman, spoke first in an ideologically-based address to lawmakers in which he decried the partisanship of Washington, D.C., as well as in Idaho.  Minnick said that the nation’s problems, such as shortfalls in the Social Security program, health care reform, and the mounting debt, are not being solved in Washington due to the partisanship which, he says, bogs down the legislative process.  He said that though Idaho’s congressional delegation has been willing to stand up to leadership to accomplish objectives for the state and the nation, obstacles remain.

“Leadership is very sharply partisan,” said Minnick.  ”Blaming the other side has become more important than solving problems.”  He added that he feels the nation’s problems are so important that the politicians of the country must cast aside petty politics and work together to solve problems.

“We run as Republicans and Democrats, but we govern as Idahoans,” Minnick reminded legislators.

He spoke on the need for additional access to education, something he feels Republicans and Democrats can agree upon.  He called on members of the House to work toward more scholarships for higher education students and for more diverse programs for the state’s colleges and universities.  He also urged lawmakers to “beef up” high school math and science programs.

Before ending his address, Minnick made one more call for lawmakers to work together.  To the Republican majority in the House, he encouraged them to reach across the aisle and bridge the “partisan chasm” that often separates lawmakers.

“Good ideas come from both Republicans and Democrats,” said Minnick.

To the Democrats in the House who make up the minority party, Minnick pleaded with them to “become part of the process” and compromise with the majority party.

Risch, a Republican, followed shortly after Minnick, praising lawmakers for the efficiency of the legislative process in Idaho.   Risch said he feels that lawmakers in Washington never have adequate time to read and ponder legislation, which he believes is “absolutely stunning.”

“You’d be so proud of the procedure you’re involved in,” praised Risch.

Risch also derided the debt situation, saying the rising percentage of debt compared to the gross domestic product of the U.S. is a “very, very serious problem,” but said citizens should remain optimistic because lawmakers in Washington are beginning to focus on deficits.

Sen. Mike Crapo will speak before the Idaho House and Senate Wednesday.

(Note:  Minnick thanked Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, for proposing a resolution calling on the federal government to reign in spending and pay off debt.  Read about the Jarvis resolution here.)

Wait, what?

Yes, you read that right.  Students from the school advocated for their bill, sponsored by Rep. Rich Jarvis, R-Meridian, to be passed by lawmakers.  Some students even made their own t-shirts to show their support of the bill.

The bill being pushed by Jarvis and the students would officially declare the Idaho Giant Salamander as the state amphibian.  The salamander is native to Idaho and the only animal that has “Idaho” in its name.  It typically is found only in central Idaho and small corner of Montana and can reach a maximum of 12 inches in length.  They usually inhabit cold, clear lakes, ponds, and streams and adults have been known to feed on small mice, shrews, or snakes.

Should the bill be passed, a listing for a state amphibian would join the state flower (syringa), fruit (wild huckleberry), gem (star garnet), and even a state dance (square dance) on the list of state-recognized cultural items.

The students’ teacher, Sharon Matthews, said, via a wall posting on IdahoReporter.com, that the project of pushing the bill is helping the students to understand their role in society and government.  Matthews added that she believes that students have both a responsibility and a right to learn how legislation is enacted.

Matthews also took time to argue against those who call the bill a waste of time, saying the “bill does not cost taxpayers anything, and cannot be considered frivolous.”  She added that the “benefits of students engaging in government processes are priceless and should be encouraged.”

In an interview with IdahoReporter.com, Jarvis shrugged off accusations of frivolity.  When confronted by other lawmakers about losing so-called “political capital,” Jarvis responded, “I’m not too worried about that.”

Emma, a student in the class, said the class picked the salamander because “it is native to Idaho and it would get a lot of support.”  She added that she and her classmates want the salamander to become more well-known around the state and the designation would aid in that process.

As for her own political ambitions, Emma said that she would “probably not” run for office someday “because it sounds like a lot of talking and I’m an active person.”

The bill, designated as House Bill 389, is awaiting a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Read IdahoReporter.com’s first story on the Idaho Giant Salamander bill here.