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Which telecom companies are pulling the strings in your state government? Find out which telecommunications companies are spending the most on lobbying and campaign contributions. Learn about your public utility boards, where they are located and how to file a complaint. Also, view the personal financial disclosure statements of board members and learn how much they earn.

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P O Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
(208) 334-0300

How to file a complaint
Phone: (208) 334-0300
Online

Jurisdiction: Investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, electricity, or telephone service for profit.
Funding: From annual assessment fees on the utilities and railroads it regulates.
Commissioners: 3
  Appointed by: Governor
  Term: 6 years
  Annual Salary: $82,740
Chairperson: Elected by Commissioners
  Term: 2 years
  Annual Salary: $82,740
Commissioners

Paul Kjellander (Chair)
Term: 2001-2011

Dennis Hansen
Term: 1995-2007

Marsha Smith
Term: 1991-2009

Idaho Receives F for Disclosure of Utility Commissioner Outside Ties
Idaho ranked 42nd in the nation for making basic information on state legislators' income, assets and potential conflicts of interest available to the public. Idaho received 1 out of a possible 100 points.
See Report Card

Idaho Conflict-of-Interest Provision: "No person while in the employ of or holding any official relation to any corporation or person, which said corporation or person is subject in whole or in part to regulation by the commission, and no person owning stocks or bonds of any such corporation or who is in any manner pecuniarily interested therein shall be appointed to or hold the office of commissioner or be appointed or employed by the commission …." (Idaho Code § 61-207)


Telecommunications Industry

State Campaign Donations

Telecommunications industry donations, including legislative and statewide, throughout three election cycles, 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2003-2004. Click on total to see how this state stacks up:
Cycle Amount
2003-2004 $70,852
2001-2002 $93,575
1999-2000 $77,410
Total $241,837

Telecommunications interests donating $10,000 or more to state races, including legislative and statewide, throughout six years, from 1999 to 2004:
Name Total
Qwest Communications International Inc. $85,850
National Cable and Telecom. Assn. and state orgs. $74,215
Verizon Communications Inc. $36,350
AT&T Corp. $33,400

Source: Institute on Money in State Politics, with analysis by Center for Public Integrity

State Lobby Spending

Totals in this state DO NOT include lobbyist salaries/compensation. Spending total does not include executive branch lobbyists.

State-level lobbying by telecommunications companies in 2003 and 2004. Click on the total to see how the states stack up:
Year Amount
2003 $6,038
2004 $15,251
Total $21,289

Major telecommunications interests lobbying government in this state in 2003 and 2004:
Name Total
National Cable and Telecom. Assn. and state orgs $7,515
Potlatch Telephone Company $4,868
Qwest Communications International Inc. $4,694
Verizon Communications Inc. $2,621
Idaho Telephone Association $1,198
Sprint Corp. $393

Source: Source: Center for Public Integrity analysis of state records