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We need to be careful about passing laws

| January 30, 2025 1:00 AM

A recent news article in the Daily Bee, “Grimm speaks on water service limits,” brings up an interesting dilemma.

Speaker Mike Johnson and several other members of the U.S. House of Representatives have spoken of putting conditions on disaster aid to California. Before receiving aid, California would have to show that it has the water to fight fires, that areas have been maintained to reduce fuel load, and that sprawling development and development in hard to access areas is regulated.

What is being proposed applies to most of Idaho. Think on that.

How does federalism apply? Idaho legislators have been direct on what they consider a proper relationship between the states and the federal government.

Imagine a fire in North Idaho. Then imagine the federal government saying that each city must improve its infrastructure and revise its planning and zoning regulations to receive aid.

It is not much of a stretch to imagine what is happening in California to have a high probability of happening in Idaho.

Years ago, my father warned me about people being too willing to pass laws. He said, "If you start passing laws on what people have done because you don't approve, things may turn and they may force those laws on you."

Maybe Congress needs to reflect on my father's advice.


MARY OLLIE

Bonners Ferry