The meaning of ‘Occupy Boise’ 
POSTED: Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10:29 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
The people who are part of Occupy Boise consider themselves the 99 percent engaged in “civil disobedience,” or class warfare, against the 1 percent “economic and political elites.” Class warfare has a rich history in Idaho, and particularly in Boise. In 1905, former Governor Steunenberg was killed opening the gate to his home by a [...]
Preparing for mediation by decision tree analysis
POSTED: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 03:22 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
You’ve reached the end of your rope – You have a dispute that you simply can’t work out in a business-like conversation with your general contractor, your supplier, or the owner. Now what? I wrote last about “Decision Tree Analysis” (DTA) being a sound investment for reaching better decisions. The principles identified in the Feb. [...]
Invest in sound decision-making
POSTED: Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:09 AM PTBY: Kim Trout
Have you ever had an issue that required resolution through means of mediation, arbitration or litigation? Have you consulted a lawyer who said, “I think you have a good chance…”, and then wondered what “good chance” actually meant to you and what it meant to your lawyer? Inevitably, some resort to guessing at critical junctures [...]
Judicial retirement system is a demonstrated success
POSTED: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 01:19 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
No one would argue that our state budget suffers in an economic downturn. However, during these dismal economic times, crimes are still committed, children still suffer neglect and abuse, and the caseload of the state’s judicial system continues to grow. With legislative budget cuts and administrative belt tightening, how has Idaho’s judiciary managed this economic [...]
Idaho’s assault on small power producers continues
POSTED: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 08:31 AM PTBY: Kim Trout
Through the actions of Idaho Power as implemented by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Idaho continues to enlarge the barriers to renewable energy opportunities. Meanwhile, at the national level, federal policy makers continue to try to level the playing field and remove the barriers for alternative energy. These incongruous and conflicting outcomes are perplexing at [...]
More on court-ordered taxation
POSTED: Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 08:44 AM PTBY: Kim Trout
Last week, I wrote about the Idaho Federal Court’s order directing Boise County to levy taxes that might exceed the 3 percent limit imposed by state law. This brings up a case of historical significance in the United States. In April of 1990, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Missouri v. Jenkins that a [...]
More on court-ordered taxation
POSTED: Monday, December 5, 2011 at 04:28 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
Last week, I wrote about the Idaho Federal Court’s order directing Boise County to levy taxes that might exceed the 3 percent limit imposed by state law. This brings up a case of historical significance in the United States. In April of 1990, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Missouri v. Jenkins that a [...]
Court-ordered tax: What are the limits?
POSTED: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 12:26 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
Years ago, former Governor Phil Batt and the Idaho Legislature approved a property tax law that limits local governments to no more than a 3 percent increase in base property taxes each year. Yet on November 10, Chief Judge B. Lynn Winmill of the Idaho Federal District Court ordered Boise County to levy taxes that [...]
Idaho utility commission violates federal regulations
POSTED: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 03:19 PM PTBY: Kim Trout
On October 14, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) ruled that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“IPUC”) had violated FERC Regulations. This FERC ruling is unprecedented in the history of the IPUC. Many observers would say this represents a significant warning and wakeup call to the IPUC regarding their rulings against small power producers [...]
