Idaho Republicans ‘run amok’, sue taxpayers for $100K

[cal04]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/09/idaho-republicans-run-amok-sue-taxpayers-for-100k/

According to Spokane, Washington's Spokesman-Review, Republicans in the Idaho state legislature rushed a bill through in the final days of the legislative session to pay the Idaho Republican Party $100,000 in attorney's fees and legal costs for a primary election lawsuit that it brought against the state and won. 81% of the Republicans in the Legislature are also members of the Idaho Republican Party. The Republicans additionally made a special effort to ensure that no matter what the outcome of the lawsuit, the cost would be paid by taxpayers.

The Spokesman:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/apr/08/public-to-pay-for-gop-suit/?print-friendly

Though it’s not uncommon for prevailing parties to get their legal fees paid in a federal civil rights case, what’s unusual is how the Idaho GOP set up its fee arrangement with its attorney – a rare “contingent fee” deal in which only the taxpayers would have to pay, not the party, regardless of the outcome.

“It was not something they had to do,” said John Strait, a law professor at Seattle University School of Law and an expert on federal court litigation. “The Republicans decided they would rather have him paid out of taxpayer money, and they set it up that way.”

Democratic lawmakers were agog at the Republican Party's conduct. Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise said, “I have to point out, we’re paying $100,000 for the Republican Party to sue the Republican Legislature, defended by the Republican secretary of state, in order to close primaries in Idaho – I just think this is so bad it’s comical."

[aquart]

1. I don't find it comical. I find it inherently fraudulent.

And I so hope the campaign ads are already in the works.

Anyone tell Rachel about this?

[fasttense]

2. The law should be repealed. n/t

[Turbineguy]

3. The inherent advantage

that the Democrats have is that republicans never know when to stop.

[IDemo]

4. A local columnist on the Idaho repukes:

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/fools-rush-out/Content?oid=2174058

Attn.: GOP Legislators--We knew you were stupid. Stupidity is what we've come to expect out of political clowns from Sphincter Dip or Twin Udders. But now, it's clear you are also cowards. Craven, negligent, short-sighted, subservient cowards who wouldn't do the right thing if the country depended on it ... which it does ... and because of you and third-string specimens just like you across the land, we can count down the days until all of America is as inferior as you and the bottom-rungers you so proudly represent.

No need to explain the "stupid" label, is there? I say if you don't already understand instinctively that the nullification bill, the guns on campus bill, the "no penalty or prosecution for illegally killing wolves" bill, the closed primary bill--along with just about everything else the Republicans smeared over the Statehouse walls this session--were stupid wastes of time, money and energy promulgated by stupid, provincial frauds who come to Boise every year strutting their anti-government junk like they think they're God's gift to a cheap suit, then it's likely you're stupid enough to agree with their stunted ideas and asinine stunts.

[bahrbearian]

6. Nice to see some one in the state has it right, thanks for link.

[Scuba]

5. Socialism. n/t

[B Calm]

7. SUE, SUE, SUE, that's all conservatives want to do!