There was a gasp heard ‘round the legislative campfire Monday, when Rep. Frank Henderson resigned from the most powerful committee in the state.

Henderson, a Republican from Post Falls, turned in the keys to his Cadillac, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. And before anybody had time to thank him for five years of excellent service on the panel that doles out more than a billion dollars annually in state funding, Henderson hopped in a beat up ol’ Bessie and headed straight for the interstate. We don’t think he’ll look back.

Please pardon the auto analogy. The point we’re trying to make is that Henderson, whose public service has also included mayor, county commissioner, overseas instructor and much more, doesn’t really care about style. Never has. Henderson cares about substance.

As he pointed out Monday, JFAC is a black hole consuming time and energy. Because it controls the purse strings, JFAC is the biggest magnet for lobbyists, fellow legislators and constituents alike. Legislators like Sen. Jim Hammond, Sen. Joyce Broadsword and Sen. Shawn Keough will continue to watch out for North Idahoans’ interests as members of JFAC; Henderson understands that, although Hammond has indicated he, too, might be seeking an end to his JFAC service. Henderson also understands that far and away the state’s highest priority is economic development, because economic development means jobs and jobs mean prosperity.

“. . . I want to work on economic development and create jobs for the private sector,” Henderson told The Press. “I want to help smaller employers become prosperous again so they can hire people to make this economy recover. I couldn’t do that if I stayed on JFAC.”

Imagine that; a legislator who’s more intent on making money than spending it.

While it’s true that Henderson is 87 years old, making him the elder statesman at the state capitol, his energy hasn’t waned a bit. If anything, his enthusiasm is greater than ever, and that combined with the analytical shrewdness and business acumen which have been two of his key character traits lead us to believe he’ll reach his economic development objectives.

We do feel some regret that the legislature is losing a CFO.

We’re delighted that they’re gaining a CEO.