A quickly struck deal with the Idaho Department of Labor appears to have filled a funding gap at the Idaho Human Rights Commission.
Pam Parks, the commission’s director, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday that the commission can be folded into the Department of Labor without compromising its duties to enforce civil rights and anti-discrimination laws in the workplace, public accommodations, education and various transactions.
“The resources would be there to fulfill those functions,” Parks said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Labor can replace state general funds Gov. Butch Otter has proposed phasing out over four years, said Parks and Labor Chief Deputy Director John McAllister.
“We think we can handle it for the next four years,” McAllister told the committee. “We can fit it in.”
McAllister said the Commission can be funded from two sources, interest on Labor’s $75 million reserve fund and a fund that collects penalties from employers who pay their taxes late or don’t pay their taxes and from recipients who collect benefits they are not entitled to.
McAllister said the deal came together after Otter’s budget office contacted Labor Director Roger Madsen on Jan. 4, seven days before Otter announced his proposed cuts.
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Bending over backwards for the HRC
This sounds like a stretch to me. From what I have seen most Idahoans couldn't care less about the commission's existence. It creates a climate in which false claims and imaginary offenses are encouraged. I guess these people are just desperate to hold on to their jobs.
This makes me wonder,
how many other departments we have statewide that could be folded together without compromising services. I think Otter's threat to phase out the Human Rights Commission was a calculated way to prod these folks into doing some things they're not used to doing, like being creative...Sunny...
bending over backwards
I wonder what false claims and imaginary offenses loosecannon was talking about. Maybe it was the aryan nations in hayden lake, maybe it's the people who are putting racist flyers all over town right now, maybe the people putting reward signs for Obama's death on their property in northern Idaho. Either way, any thoughts or plans to get rid of human rights protection are truly a "loose-cannon" way of balancing a budget.
Isn't it amazing when push
Isn't it amazing when push comes to shove how the same programs can be accomplished when decreasing funding. Isn't it amazing how many state programs are duplicated and necessary but now can be consolidated and can do the same job for citizens.
Why do we need two departments when one would suffice?
If the Human Rights Commission's work can be done by the Department of Labor, then why haven't they been doing it all along?
Human Rights Commission goes public?
Whoa! What a conflict of interest. The agency that regulates employers is now going pick up enforcement of discrimination complaints?
The IHRC had a long history of being efficient and neutral -- and now it will be at the mercy of the Director for funding and direction?
Suspicous
"If the Human Rights Commission's work can be done by the Department of Labor, then why haven't they been doing it all along?" lindaj4
I am afraid they haven't been doing it all along because they either can't, or don't want to; the current comments might very well just be political cover for Gov. Otter. jono is correct, I fear, the Commissions neutrality will be harmed by it's absorption by the DOL.
Taxpayers should not be
Taxpayers should not be forced to pay the bill for what in recent years has amounted to a partisan lobbying organizations for so-called "gay rights" legislation, while those who oppose that agenda have no access to tax-funding (and of course, shouldn't).
Another feel good commission
We don't need another commission for special agenda groups to use to tie up with court cases that are more often than not, frivolous!
It's about being fair to all
I don't see a conflict of interest, but I do see tunnel vision if the only purpose is to protect human rights in the workforce.
Human rights issues are mainstream, they rear their ugly heads wherever people gather, not only at work.
Accomplishing nothing for less?
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Like a midair collision with a tugboat