Rep. Priscilla Giddings voted this week to punish the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. Why? Because the schools won’t give in to extremist opposition to programs designed to help underprivileged students. Fortunately, the proposed $1.35 million penalty failed, gaining just two votes.
She wanted to punish the schools for having programs that support underprivileged students. This is the same kind of political posturing that was behind current Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s so-called education indoctrination task force, which bullied Idaho teachers, spread fear among citizens, and inflamed her extreme base.
Last year, Giddings supported a successful “penalty” against Idaho universities. That time, House Speaker Scott Bedke—also running for Lt. Gov.—stood aside and let the extremists have the victory.
Giddings and Bedke may look different but they are two branches on the same rotting tree. They both put their personal political ambition above their duty to serve Idaho. Penalizing universities to score points with extremists raises costs for students, damages the school’s ability to deliver top quality programs, harms Idaho’s reputation, and threatens the health of Idaho’s overall economy.
It’s worth noting that Bedke and Giddings thrive on the chaos that this kind of inflammatory politics creates. These politicians are always self-styled Davids fighting Goliaths. Most of the time, they set themselves up to fail so they can show a few supporters how “brave” they are. They do it because it works. It’s the kind of politics that put McGeachin a heartbeat away from the governorship.
As Lieutenant Governor, I would not use my power to pursue ideological goals. I would put the children, families, and businesses of Idaho ahead of partisan gamesmanship. I believe Idaho is a great state which deserves strong, rational, and honest leadership.