Idaho Republican Tobacco Candy Ethics

Governor Otter raised a few eyebrows when he appointed Melinda Smyser (R-Parma) to the Idaho Senate. Not because her wingnut politics would fit more appropriately in the House. But because she is the spouse of a prominent Republican Idaho lobbyist, former legislator and congressional candidate, Skip Smyser. The concern came to a head this week when she changed her vote on legislation to prohibit the sale of tobacco candy sponsored by Senator Elliot Werk (D-Boise) who echoed FDA warnings that these are being marketed to children to get them addicted to tobacco products at an early age. The vote change was outcome determinative killing Werk's legislation.

Senator Smyser danced around the matter when providing a justification for her last minute change:

She says she grew more skeptical about the bill after hearing testimony from an Idaho Retailers' Association lobbyist who testified banning the product would hurt Idaho stores near state borders that compete with those in other states.

Smyser also thought the Food and Drug Administration should be given a chance to vet the product before the Legislature makes a decision on it.

But when the vote arrived, she was flustered.

"All of a sudden, the vote came really fast. So then I voted," she said. "I didn't even really think about it. Then I decided it was premature."

It had nothing to do with her husband, Smyser said, adding they don't talk about his work for the tobacco industry because they have other things to talk about, like her job at the Caldwell School District, volunteer work, and their four children.

"I have my own life," she said. "I would never do anything to jeopardize how I represent my constituents."

Skip Smyser didn't return phone messages left Wednesday.

She apparently had the presence of mind, as required by law, to inform the committee of the conflict of interest but denies that she had spoken to her husband about the matter. Sure. What more likely happened is that she miscounted the votes ahead of time and when she found out she was a swing vote after the tally, she changed her vote. Her vote delivered a victory her husband can hand to his client, Altria Client Services, Inc. justifying the amounts they spend on him to prevent just this type of legislation. And certainly the Smyser marital community reaps the benefits of his income. You might as well have just put it in her pocket. Actually she did double duty for Altria since this little controversy diverts attention away from the ethics of marketing tobacco products to Idaho children.