2006-01-25T20:20:00.001-07:00

If you need it; take it.

If you don’t, consider this;

* The poorest Idahoans -- those who did not earn enough money to file a tax return or who did not file for a grocery tax credit -- will be the only Idahoans left out in the cold, without any energy assistance at all. So the plan fails to help those who need it most.

* It wastes millions of taxpayer dollars by paying out to the wealthiest taxpayers to who don’t need energy assistance.

* There are no provisions whatsoever to ensure the money will be used for energy assistance. The cold, hard cash generated by this could be used for luxury items, alcohol or even illegal drugs.

Governor Kempthorne’s plan to give every Idahoan 50 dollars to help cover rising energy cost, while either good intentioned or not is not fiscally responsible, nor does it address the problem of rising energy costs.

Governor Kempthorne’s plan will cost the State of Idaho over 63 million dollars, much of which will go to families that do not need it. How many people will merely spend the money on a night on the town or that new DVD they want? It will be much less expensive for Idaho to address the needs of those who have truly been burdened by the rising costs of energy this winter season. Let’s use the money is the most responsible manner possible to help the Idahoans who need the help, not those who do not.

Whether you agree or not with this stance, please; if you can spare the 50 dollars consider donating it to one of Idaho’s many great charities.

There are several charities in the State of Idaho who are dependent on the kindness of Idahoans who donate money to their respective causes, if you can, again, please consider giving even just some of the money to one of these charities.

The charities to the right are only a suggestion, if you have a favorite charity, be it for cancer research, helping troubled youth, various veteran charities or what ever is near and dear to your heart, please consider donating.

Let us make it so Governor Kempthorne’s plan is not a waste of valuable tax dollars, let’s do something together, for Idaho.

Thank You.

Idaho, What Are You Doing With Your 50 Bucks?