Possible conflicts give rise to voters' doubts

Our GOP state legislators have done it again — proving they are influenced by big business and special interest groups and not the working people of Idaho. Take for example (as reported in the Daily Bee, Feb. 25) the recent failure of a bill sponsored by Sen. Elliott Werk, D-Boise, to ban candy-like (dissolvable) tobacco products. Thinking his bill had passed the Health and Welfare committee by a narrow 5-4 decision, he later learned someone had reversed their vote and killed the bill.

Sen. Melinda Smyser, R-Parma, whose husband is a tobacco industry lobbyist, originally voted to support Werk’s bill, but after others on the nine-member committee had voted, she changed her vote deciding the vote would have been “premature.” Could there have been a conflict of interest in this vote that could affect the industry her husband lobbies for?

In another recent case, a bill introduced by Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-District 25, would help people faced with foreclosures of their homes by providing mediation that could modify terms of the mortgage — a winning situation for the homeowner, the mortgage company, and the taxing districts.

Jaquet’s bill failed to be introduced on a tie vote, 8-8. One of the legislators told Jaquet he had promised the Realtor association he would not support the bill for introduction. It appeared that several of the 8 “no” votes had been lobbied heavily by the Realtors.

Is there any wonder people doubt the motivation of their elected representatives?

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Kootenai