Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey today reports on how the retirement of eight House veterans, all in their 70s, threatens to silence moderates in that chamber. Rep. Carlos, R-Emmett, told Popkey, "There's no doubt in my mind that the moderates are out of business in this state. They've pretty much all given up." Bilbao is leaving the Legislature to run for Gem County commissioner.

Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, one of two moderate House committee chairmen who were stripped of their chairmanships by House Speaker Lawerence Denney on the final day of last year's legislative session, told Popkey, “I would have considered running again had this not been such a toxic environment.” He said he and Denney haven’t spoken or looked one another in the eye in more than a year. “He avoids mine and I avoid his. It’s a mutual thing.” You can read Popkey's full column here.