ARTICLES BY SANDY PATANO/GUEST OPINION

Time to vote - don't sit this one out!

Hard to believe, but the Primary election is on Tuesday. Back in January, we said our goal was to share more information in this space about the voting records, policy positions, and statements made by our region’s elected officials serving in the Idaho Legislature. We also wanted to motivate all …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Costly fire season left some serious marks

Last year, during the 2015 Legislature, all indicators pointed toward an intense fire season for the summer. Routine fires to remove noxious weeds or slash piles were getting out of hand. Area snow-pack stood at 22 percent of normal in April, and warm temperatures arrived early, prompting a warning from …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Opening 13,000 acres for the public to enjoy

Idaho has long been synonymous with the outdoors; one of America’s last frontiers. Few places in the world provide the access to high quality of life next to the pristine and beautifully rugged environment found in North Idaho. This coexistence drives North Idaho’s economy by bringing tourism and by attracting …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Some legislators threatened your private property rights

The issue of taking Federal Lands and transferring ownership to the states is one that certain politicians seem keen to capitalize on as a cure-all for various woes related to state sovereignty. However, history and reality are significant barriers to many of the ideas related to such notions.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Politics: More important than child support? No!

NIPAC’s weekly column seeks to inform citizens how their legislators vote on key issues. While researching these articles over the last few months, we have detected a pattern of legislators who consistently break from the majority of representatives in the state. We know legislating is not an easy activity and …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Lead

See how your legislators voted on these key issues

March Madness isn’t just for college basketball! Activity in Boise has ramped up a bit, as the Legislature scurries to adjourn before Easter.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Education improvement: Yes or NO?

This week, we wanted to focus once again on education, but rather than pick out a single piece of legislation, we thought we would discuss several. As you read along, it will become clear why.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Education funding bill showed big differences

One of the most important issues our state legislators are asked to address every year is the education of our children. As conservatives, we believe this is as it should be. Education is better addressed by the state and by local school districts, rather than a far-off federal government. Local …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Columns will show voters where candidates stand

For the past year, voters nationwide have been inundated with information about the presidential candidates. Yet far too frequently, local voters are frustrated about how difficult it is to find information about local candidates seeking public office. Complaints include a lack of accurate backgrounds about candidates, their stances on issues, …

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO