Left-wing bloggers were quick to accuse Rep. Bill Sali of flip-flopping on the federal bailout of financial institutions.

But is 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson getting a pass?

Shortly after President Bush unveiled the bare basics of the $700 billion bailout plan, Simpson said the rash move may be necessary. And even with Sali locked in a tough re-election battle, Simpson ripped his fellow Republican for speaking out against the bailouts. Sali and 30 colleagues wrote a letter urging the feds "to refrain from conducting any additional government-financed bailouts for large financial firms."

"What's his answer: to let the economy go down?" Simpson told the Statesman's Dan Popkey in a Sept. 20 story. "Sometimes Bill puts himself in a philosophical position that's untenable that he can't get off of. We got into this mess because of the failure of government oversight. Consequently, I think there's a role for government to play in trying to get us out of this, as much as I don't like it."

Contrast that to Simpson's press release Wednesday. "I recognize that action must be taken to bring our economy back from the brink of disaster, but there are serious holes in the Administration's proposal, and I have many questions that must be answered before I can even consider putting the taxpayer on the line."

Bryan Fischer of the Idaho Values Alliance was quick to take credit Thursday, saying Simpson was reacting to a telephone campaign urging Simpson to oppose the bailout. Simpson spokeswoman Nikki Watts denies this, and says Simpson has never changed his mind on the issue. "He was and remains open to discussion on this matter."

By week's end, Simpson and Sali weren't very apart, and were in stride with a skeptical House GOP caucus that has emerged as the key obstacle to a bailout compromise. But Simpson and Sali seem to have arrived at that common ground from different directions. Just a week ago, Sali had co-signed a letter that said bailouts posed an unacceptable risk to taxpayers and the "long-term future health of the economy." At the same time, Simpson was saying the nation couldn't afford to do nothing.

Flip-flops? Arguably. But it does prove, for Republicans such as Simpson and Sali, that the bailout issue is toxic - much like the mountains of bad mortgage debt driving this whole debate.

A SLOW NEWS DAY?

Sometimes it's timing - as much as content - that relegates a press release to the oval receptacle of obscurity.

Consider this release from Sali, filed Wednesday.

"Congressman Sali's resolution honoring the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, H. Con. Res. 386, was unanimously approved today by the House of Representatives."

For some reason, this got overshadowed by the bailout.

FEES FOR ROADWORK

When Ada County voters decide whether to double a local vehicle registration fee, state legislators will be watching closely.

Including Eagle Republican Rep. Raul Labrador.

Labrador has a draft of a bill designed to use local vehicle registration fees for road projects. The bill's fate depends partly on Labrador's own election - he is seeking a second term, and faces Eagle Democrat and perennial candidate Glida Bothwell in November. But the bill also hinges on the vote for an Ada County fee; the Ada County Highway District wants to convince voters to replace a local vehicle registration fee of up to $20 with a new fee that would top out at $40.

Labrador's bill would contain some wrinkles:

He wants the fee to go toward a specific project with a specific price tag - and he wants the fee to "sunset" when the project is paid for. The use of the current ACHD fee has evolved over time. Voters first approved the fee in 1990 to repair aging bridges. That work has been done. The new fee, if voters approve it, would go toward improved intersections and traffic signals, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks.

There would be no cap on a county registration fee - provided it is voter-approved and earmarked for projects.

Labrador's bill would require counties to run a registration fee proposal in conjunction only with a May party primary or a November general election (and during an even-numbered election year, when county, state and federal candidates are also on the ballot). He'd probably require a two-thirds supermajority.

The Ada County fee - permitted under a state law written exclusively for ACHD - requires only a simple majority to pass. Elections must be held in conjunction with a general election in an even-numbered election year.

Labrador is suggesting a pretty high hurdle for local registration fees. But considering a transportation shortfall estimated at $240 million, it's worthwhile to get every possible option on the table.

Kevin Richert: 377-6437