Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, the short-session advocate who proposed a bill last week to amend Idaho’s Constitution to limit the state’s legislative sessions to 90 calendar days, commented Monday the the resolution to recognize the Boise State University (BSU) football team on its Fiesta Bowl victory is not "a waste of time."
The resolution, introduced by Nampa Republican Brent Crane, recognizes the efforts of the team in completing a 14-0 perfect season, as well the work of BSU football coach Chris Peterson, who became the first two-time winner of the Paul “Bear” Bryant award, an honor recognizing the nation’s top NCAA football coach.
Said Burgoyne in an interview with IdahoReporter.com:
“I don’t think bills like that are a waste of time or taxpayers money, but I will say that I think every session every legislator needs to look at what their own priorities are for the legislative session. The fact is Boise State University is a very important part of our economy, of our culture in the community, and just like the University of Idaho and Idaho State University and all the other schools, there’s nothing wrong with having the Legislature pat them on the back and say good job. The other thing to note is that BSU is a public university and a lot of public money is going to that university, so we want them to be successful and it brings money to the school when they are successful.”
“If we have a session where we don’t think we can get our work done within the 90 days, then we might make that choice (to ignore the BSU resolution).”
Burgoyne said all lawmakers have different priorities and each person needs to decide what is most important during the legislative year. He referenced Meridian Republican Rep. Rich Jarvis’s bill to declare the Idaho Giant Salamander as the state amphibian as one example that many consider a waste of time.
The Boise Democrat, a graduate of the University of Idaho (UI), said he plans to vote for the resolution when it comes before the full House. “Anything that brings credit to the state of Idaho or anything that helps our local university here be successful, I’m all for it,” said Burgoyne.
Burgoyne said he would also support a resolution recognizing the UI football team, which won its first bowl game since 1998 with a thrilling 43-42 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise on Dec. 30, 2009.
