Idaho officials failed to stand up for residents

Under pressure from the American Legislative Exchange Council, an ideologically conservative, corporate-backed, well-connected lobbying organization, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill to protect a large company from liability for cases of asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer due to asbestos insulation.

ALEC is responsible for “stand your ground” laws like the one in Florida, and anti-immigration laws passed in Arizona and Alabama, and pending in several other states. They are also behind anti-union bills in Wisconsin and Ohio, and voter-suppression laws in many conservative states.

As a result, they are losing many of their largest corporate supporters, including Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Coke (but not Koch Brothers), Kraft, Pepsi, Intuit and even the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

When HB 376 got to the governor’s desk for signature, he refused to sign it, citing some troubling aspects of the bill. Despite his objections, he lacked the courage to veto the bill, allowing it to become law without his signature.

I guess that’s the best we can expect from Idaho leadership.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint