The Times-News from Twin Falls, Idaho • 3

Saturday. May 27, 2006 Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho A-3 IDAHO Senate OKs Kempthorne MM for U.S. interior secretary 1 By John Heilprin Associated Press writer WASHINGTON Dirk Kempthorne was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as interior secretary Friday, overcoming objections from a small number of Democrats. JUL block Kempthorne's confirmation in protest of the administration's refusal to share a portion of offshore oil and gas royalties with Gulf Coast states.

She dropped her opposition after meeting with him. The federal government does not share offshore energy royalties with states, but it does split royalties 50-50 with states for oil and gas development in the Rocky Mountain West. "I am pleased that he appears increasingly open to our needs," Landrieu said. Create a unique coffee with our flavored syrups FREEZERS" froien treats to cool you down Rich cappuccinos and hot chocolate "HI-REV" with twice the caffeine to keep you moving! wing! The two-term Idaho governor and former Republican senator won approval on a voice vote after eight Democratic senators registered their opposition in an 80,000 employees. He'll have before him pressing issues such as how best to manage the increasing traffic, pollution and other encroachment on national parks, particularly the most popular ones such as Great Smoky Mountains and Grand Canyon.

Other problems confronting him include the extent of protection of endangered species; wildfires and scarce water supplies in the West; homeland security and illegal immigration on public lands; rebuilding hurricane-damaged wildlife refuges and dealing with mismanaged Indian trust accounts. In the governor's mansion and in the Senate, Kempthorne already has experience with many of these issues one reason his confirmation was never in doubt. The seven other senators registering their opposition were Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Tom Harkin of Iowa, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Charles Schumer of New York. Sen. Mary Landrieu, also had said she would try to ters that already are producing 30 percent of the nation's domestic supply of energy.

President Bush said Kempthorne would work to effectively manage national parks, support historic and cultural sites and pursue energy development that would treat the environment responsibly. Nelson had opposed the Bush administration's proposed lease sale of 3.6 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts Alabama and Florida Kempthorne was sworn in Friday by White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten during a brief ceremony in the Oval Office, with Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looking on. Meanwhile, in Idaho, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch officially became governor as Kempthorne's resignation was received by the Idaho secretary of state's office.

Risch, 63, is running for re-election as lieutenant governor, and his time as governor will end in January. Kempthorne, 54, succeeds Gale Norton as steward of one-fifth of the nation's land and head of an agency with a $9 billion budget and Kempthome Now taking Nominations for Southern Idaho Learning Center 3rd Annual Teacher of the Year Award Presented at our Donor Appreciation Night underwritten by Middlekauff Automotive Group Thursday June 1 5, 2006 at the Blue Lakes Country Club The Southern Idaho Learning Center would like to honor those teachers who have gone the extra mile for children who learn differently. If you live in the eight count area of South Central Idaho, and have a earlier test vote. "As a part of my promise to Florida, I have said I could not support an interior secretary who would advance this administration's willingness to acquiesce to the oil lobby and its ever-increasing desire for greater profits," said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Kempthorne told senators earlier this month he was eager to expand oil and gas development on public lands and wa- child with a learning difference, whose life has been positively affected Risch Idaho's 31st governor By Keith Ridler Associated Press writer by one of these teachers, please nominate himher for our Third Annual Teacher of the Year Award. Deadline for nominations is June 9th. Please include the following information: Teacher Name School Town Grade This Teacher is Special Person Nominating Address Phone Take or Mail to: The Southern Idaho Learning Center, 564 Shoup Ave. Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 or Send by e-mail to Melodysidlc.org or Fax to 208-734-3957 nominated for interior secretary by President Bush in March and has since spent most of his time in Washington, D.C., awaiting confirmation. "America will be well served by (Kempthorne's) well-known consensus-building approach," said acting Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett.

in six years on a measure that would remove at least part of school maintenance funding from property taxes. "He believes there are certain things a governor has to do, and he's not going to be just a caretaker," LiCalzi said. Kempthorne left the state with no fanfare after being BOISE Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch became Gov.

Risch on Friday when the Idaho secretary of state's office received the resignation of former Gov. Dirk Kempmorne, who earlier in the day was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as interior secretary. The 54-y a 1 Kempthorne, a former senator, was con- TWESTERN DAYSlr Rlsch firmed on a voice vote to succeed Gale Norton as the steward of one-fifth of the nation's land. Risch was traveling in eastern Idaho and planned to return to Boise Friday evening.

"I am truly humbled by this opportunity," Risch said in a statement "Vicki (his wife) and I love this state and its people, and I will vigorously fulfill my responsibilities as the state's chief executive." Kempthorne told Risch that he would make a great governor of Idaho. Risch was touring the Juvenile Corrections Center in eastern Idaho and attending a fisherman's breakfast in St. Anthony. He also planned to visit a potato processing facility. His inauguration is planned for June 2 at the Statehouse.

"I think the state is somewhat lucky to have someone step in with the breadth of knowledge Risch has," said Jasper LiCalzi, a professor of political economy at Albertson College of Idaho. "He's been part of state government for over 30 years, so he doesn't have to be learning on the job." The last time state officials went through the process of handing over the state's top job after a resignation was in 1976 when President Carter nominated then-Gov. Cecil Andrus as interior secretary and John Evans became governor. Risch, 63, is running for reelection as lieutenant governor in November against Larry LaRocco, and his time as governor will end in January. "I don't know if that has ever happened in Idaho," said LiCalzi.

"A sitting governor running for lieutenant governor." Meanwhile, Risch has been an active acting governor, traveling across the state. Earlier this month he and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns signed a federal and state agreement that could eventually dry up 100,000 acres of farmland in eastern Idaho, part of a program meant to help protect an underground aquifer that's been depleted over the last 50 years through groundwater pumping and drought Last week, Risch declared Benewah County an emergency disaster area because of a collapsed railroad bridge that stalled lumber shipments in the region. He has also suggested holding Idaho's first special session June 2-4, 2006 Friday, June 2 5:00 pm Open Ceremonies 5:30 pm Announcing: Pioneer of the Year 6 7 pm Renee Andrew with Bridges Saturday, June 3 10:00 am Parade 1 pm 2:30 pm Local Dancers 3 pm Octane 5 pm Pure Country 7 pm Cobalt Blue Sunday, June 4 12pmMarkAkins 1 pm Queen Crowning, Parade Awards 1:30 pm Muzzie Braun 3 pm Terry Whitlock fcSO UmflEttS I.