KCRCC: Don’t let these two take over
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
Toews and Padula, an Unholy Alliance?
Ben Toews was a primary sponsor of SB 1278 during the 2026 legislative session, a bill that would have significantly limited local governments’ ability to apply zoning and permitting requirements to housing projects on religious-owned property.
Padula leads a religious organization affiliated with local rehabilitation and transitional housing programs. SB 1278 was not the first attempt by religious organizations to seek exemptions from local rules governing rehabilitation, transitional housing, parole/probation, and homelessness-related facilities.
Had SB 1278/HB 801 passed, Coeur d’Alene likely would have become a major hub for religiously affiliated rehabilitation and transitional housing developments operating with substantially reduced local land-use oversight.
Many sources say these two individuals are now running for chair and co-chair of the KCRCC. Based on this record, I strongly oppose both candidates and do not believe their agenda reflects the conservative principles or local-control values that many Republican voters in Kootenai County expect from party leadership.
North Idaho is already experiencing increasing strain on public safety, community cohesion, and quality of life associated with homelessness, addiction, and transitional populations migrating from neighboring regions. We should not be advancing policies that further reduce local communities’ ability to manage those impacts.
TODD HOFFMAN
Coeur d’Alene