Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

2015 End of Session Letter online version

Posted on April 3, 2015 by ddxdx

Session ends Soon (maybe) I write to share and reflect on the work of the Idaho legislature this past session. This letter was mailed to many constituents, But I post it here with links, pictures, and graphs. ________________________ We start … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | 1 Comment

Who’s your Senator?

Posted on February 15, 2015 by ddxdx

I had lunch with the Idaho Medical Association Board members today. There are three doctors in the Idaho legislature and we always try to meet with this group when they are in Boise during the legislative session. We have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics | Comments Off on Who’s your Senator?

Inadequate and Unfair; Idaho’s Structural School Funding Predicament

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ddxdx

    This is the season for Idaho districts to look at how to balance their budgets. An unprecedented number have turned to supplemental property tax levies. You may face one soon on the ballot in your area. There is … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on Inadequate and Unfair; Idaho’s Structural School Funding Predicament

What we Should (have) be(en) doing about IEN

Posted on January 12, 2015 by ddxdx

    I hope you are aware of the problem our state faces in the contract for the Idaho Education Network. Idaho signed a contract for a state-wide network that has been found void. This mess will take some sorting … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | Comments Off on What we Should (have) be(en) doing about IEN

Pulling up Signs

Posted on November 12, 2014 by ddxdx

The morning after the election I drove my little pickup around to pull the signs I had pounded in and wired up weeks before. The results were just now sinking in; I had won, but I had a deep sense … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Reflection | Comments Off on Pulling up Signs

A Song

Posted on July 17, 2014 by ddxdx

  With Bowe Bergdahl’s return in the news, the VA scandal,  and this last Memorial day I have been thinking of military service, how it serves our country and how it can shape the lives of the soldiers and sailors and … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Comments Off on A Song

Words Not Said

Posted on March 23, 2014 by ddxdx

  It was late and we all were very tired. I could look around the Senate floor and see the sagging shoulders and the drooping eyelids. The “Ayes” were soft and the rare “Nays” even softer as we were passing … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | 1 Comment

No Names Please

Posted on March 8, 2014 by ddxdx

I get hand-written letters from the penitentiary a half dozen times a year or so. I read them and often do not respond since I find the allegations so outlandish or unbelievable I fear my response would be like throwing … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | 3 Comments

Flat Tire Politics

Posted on February 23, 2014 by ddxdx

  It is hard to be away from home for the legislative session, but Boise gets many visitors from around the state and I enjoy the visits. It isn’t always easy but I try to make the time. A good … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Reflection | 1 Comment

The Mess we are in: eRate, IEN, ENA, USAC and the Idaho Taxpayer

Posted on February 2, 2014 by ddxdx

This week in JFAC we heard from Department of Administration Director Teresa Luna that we need $7 million to keep our schools connected to the internet. She is also asking for another $7 million for 2015. She is asking Idaho … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Policy | 1 Comment