IDOG

The state of Washington won today in the U.S. Supreme Court – and so did Idaho – as the high court upheld Washington’s Public Records Act and its requirement that signatures on a referendum petition be public, not secret. Idaho has similar laws, and joined 22 other states in filing “friend of the court” briefs backing Washington’s position. The group “Protect Marriage Washington” sued to prevent the release of the names of those who signed Referendum 71, the state’s unsuccessful measure that sought to overturn a same-sex domestic partnership law, arguing that the Washington public records law was unconstitutional because making the signers’ names public could subject them to harassment for exercising their right to free speech.

From Eye on Boise/The Spokesman-Review

Prosecutor John Bujak’s efforts to protect the privacy of his $598,000 agreement to handle misdemeanor prosecutions for Nampa got more complicated Thursday.

A few hours after a hearing on a lawsuit seeking to force Bujak to disclose banking records concerning the contract, a city attorney sent a letter to the prosecutor and county commissioners, saying Nampa wants to change its contract to make sure none of its money goes into the prosecutor’s pocket.

From the Idaho Statesman

Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak seems baffled about the controversy surrounding his private contract with the city of Nampa.

Let’s clear up the confusion.

Bujak’s contract treats $598,000 of public money like private money. It introduces profit as a motivating factor in dispensing criminal justice. It seems motivated to help Bujak’s personal financial plight – and not necessarily stretch taxpayer dollars.

Editorial from the Idaho Statesman

John Bujak says he doesn’t understand why his contract to prosecute Nampa misdemeanor cases has raised red flags with some county residents.

“I’m saving Nampa money. I’m saving the county money,” Bujak said. “I would think people would be thrilled.”

From the Idaho Statesman

daho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa has announced fines against two groups that launched last-minute campaign attacks against an Idaho Supreme Court candidate without following the disclosure requirements of the state’s Sunshine Law. “Idaho Citizens for Justice” is being fined $1,300, and “Idaho Citizens for Commonsense Solutions” is being fined $600; the latter group provided half the funding for the former, which paid for nearly $40,000 in ads and fliers attacking Judge John Bradbury and touting sitting Justice Roger Burdick, against whom Bradbury was running in last week’s election; Burdick won.

From Eye on Boise