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Boise flexes muscle; N. Idaho won’t forget

North Idaho is at risk of sliding downhill, all the way to Boise.

At stake is local control of important workforce training issues and dollars, a key rung in the ladder of North Idaho’s strong economic growth. Because of federal cuts, Idaho is facing a $1.9 million shortfall in workforce funding. The state’s proposed answer to the shortfall is to eliminate six workforce committees throughout the state and consolidate all workforce operations in Boise.

What has North Idaho lawmakers, mayors and many other citizens upset is the manner in which this power grab is happening. Only days ago did word spread that the state was planning to consolidate all workforce operations, and that information was gleaned only because a state senator, John Goedde of Coeur d’Alene, learned that mischief was afoot.

Representatives of the Commerce and Labor Department then conducted a hastily arranged public meeting in Coeur d’Alene on Monday, and predictably, they faced a serious grilling. They limped out of town with their regrets and excuses intact, preparing for another discussion on the issue today in Boise.

This isn’t just us versus them, David against Goliath, another bureaucratic battle being waged on a provincial premise. It’s Boise hastening to a decision that’s detrimental to all of North Idaho, with lip service but little real regard for what we northerners think or wish. Most disturbing is that it’s starting to look more and more like the rule, rather than an exception.

Full Editorial: http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2005/05/12/editorials/edit01.txt

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