Idaho comes in near bottom of group's Integrity Index

Idaho ranks in the bottom five when it comes to having laws on the books that enable regular citizens to scrutinize government by attending public meetings, reviewing documents and raising questions without fear of retribution, according to a national study released this week by the Better Government Association, a Chicago-based non-partisan watchdog organization.

The good news is that every state in the Union received a mediocre to poor score, so the bar isn't that high. But still ... 

The Integrity Index, a comprehensive report issued by the association and sponsored by Alper Services LLC, analyzes laws from all 50 states in four key categories: open meetings, freedom of information, whistleblower protection and conflict of interest.

"Our findings show that current laws in most states are woefully inadequate, locking citizens out or forcing them to jump through unnecessary hoops as they attempt to exercise their fundamental democratic right to keep an eye on government," said Andy Shaw, president and CEO of the BGA. 

In measuring ethics laws and government conduct in all 50 states, the Integrity Index determined the overall national average is 55 percent, with all states receiving scores categorized as mediocre or poor and not a single state cracking 70 percent. The low marks suggest the states are vastly underperforming at enacting tough transparency, accessibility and accountability laws, and much more needs to be done to inspire public trust and confidence.

The report made note that several of the states receiving higher marks — particularly Rhode Island, New Jersey, Illinois and Louisiana — aren't commonly viewed as paragons of good government. Those states might rank higher today because years of corruption and embarrassing scandals led to the adoption of stricter safeguards and more comprehensive sunshine laws. The report also cautions people not to assume that just because tougher laws are on the books public officials are following them or states are enforcing them.

For more information about the Integrity Index and to find out where your state ranked in each category, visit www.bettergov.org.

Horse races Saturday help Help Inc.

Someone, I can't remember who, quite possibly my wife, asked me the other day whether they still had horse racing at Sandy Downs. It appears they do, and it appears the Exchange Club of Idaho Falls is doing a benefit there for Help, Inc.  If you want to read about Help Inc., here's a link to its Web site: http://www.helpincidaho.org/. Whether you like to bet on horses or just watch them run, maybe we'll see you there.

Class for contractors to be offered in Idaho Falls next week on truss flooring systems

The Professional Contractor License Review Board is offering contractors a class in Idaho Falls next week that addresses design, construction and installation methods for wood truss floor systems.

The class will be held at July 25 at 10:30 a.m., at the Idaho Falls BMC West Truss Plant, 3715 Bombardier Ave.

In addition to design and installation, the class will also focus on the proper understanding of shop drawings of truss systems. A tour of the BMC truss plant will follow, and a light lunch will be provided.

The class has been approved for yearly continuing education units for professional building contractors and city of Idaho Falls licensed building contractors.

Idaho has more than 22,000 registered contractors, but becoming a professional building contractor through the Professional Contractor Licensing Review Board means a contractor has met training and experience standards not required for state registration. PBC certification allows contractors to offer consumers extra assurance that they are qualified, reputable and committed to staying up to date on the latest codes and issues.

Training and experience criteria include completion of a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture or construction science, 32 hours of approved code-related education, and, depending on the class of license, from 5 to 15 years of experience. Classes of contractors include General Contractor (Class A), Building Contractor (Class B), Residential Contractor (Class C), and Sub-Contractor (Class D).

Pre-register by calling 208-342-1270, emailing jcarrell@amsidaho.com or online at http://www.idahoclrb.org/.

Meet the Distinguished Under 40 winners

Last week there was a lot of interest in our post about the winners of the Young Professionals Network Distinguished Under 40 award this year. We got a list of winners published as soon as we got the news, but were a little disappointed that we didn't have photos of them. In an effort to rectify this, we rounded them up with the help of Idaho Falls Magazine's Steve Smede and put them all into this little layout, which you can click on if you wish to enlarge it. The these ten will be honored July 30 at a luncheon. For more information, call the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce office at 523-1010.

One16 Sports Bar and Grill owner announces plans for casino

Queenie Linderman

There's going to be a lot more to report in a week or so, but Queenie Linderman of The One16 Sports Bar and Grill announced on Facebook this morning that her establishment will become a casino in October.

This will roughly coincide with the first anniversary of her opening at 3078 Outlet Blvd.,  next door to Teton Volkswagen and near I-15 Exit 116. Going into business with some local investors and others from "back East"* her part of the business will be food and beverage. The gaming will be machines-only and regulated by the state, much the same way Montana runs its casinos.

The eventual plan is to occupy the entire building once Teton Volkswagen moves to its permanent location.

If you want to keep up with this on Facebook, the link is https://www.facebook.com/TheOne16SportsBarAndGrill.

*I put "back East" in quotation marks because it's a relative term in Idaho. My former Post Register colleague Rocky Barker always called his native Wisconsin  "back East." Being from Delaware, I found it amusing.