North Idaho, Bonner County gaining ground and respect

The last time North Idaho had representation like this in the legislature, potatoes hadn't been invented yet.

Put another way: North Idaho has never had more authority at the committee level than it will in the session which begins at noon on Jan. 8. North Idahoans hold some of the most valuable keys for the future — in education — as well as having a solid grip on current financial matters as members of the Joint Finance - Appropriations Committee.

Consider:

? JFAC. Sen. Shawn Keough from Sandpoint remains as vice chair of the joint committee, considered the most powerful in the legislature. Joining her from North Idaho are Sen. Joyce Broadsword, a new appointment; Rep. Frank Henderson from Post Falls; and Rep. George Eskridge from Dover. Rep. Dick Harwood declined committee membership this term but will serve as vice chair of the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.

? Judiciary, Rules and Administration. It's true that North Idaho's longest serving representative, Jim Clark, fell short in his quest for assistant House majority leader. But Clark's consolation prize is chair of the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, which deals with courts, prisons, attorneys and juvenile justice.

? Transportation. Freshman Rep. Jim Hammond of Post Falls scored big with this committee's vice chairmanship. With Keough also one of Transportation's nine members, North Idaho will have a strong presence as critical highway priority and funding issues are addressed.

? Health and Welfare. Broadsword, a second-termer from Cocolalla, is obviously a legislator on the rise. In addition to JFAC, the Sandpoint-area resident is also vice chair of Senate Health and Welfare.

One name we haven't mentioned, Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, is regarded as one of the brightest North Idaho legislators whose time at the helm of leadership positions is just around the corner.