One of the state treasurer’s basic and non-policymaking functions is to account for “the receipt and disbursement of public funds.”

And yet Ron Crane, Idaho’s four-term treasurer, can’t track where he’s gone, using gasoline paid for by the taxpayers.

That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. And it has managed to get Crane exactly where a low-profile elected functionary does not want to be: in the middle of the news.

The story, first reported by John Miller of The Associated Press, goes like this: Crane has a state credit card that he uses to gas up his personal car. He has spent $6,900 on gas over the past three years. What isn’t clear is how much of that money went to cover state business — and Crane argues that his daily commute from Nampa to the Statehouse falls under that heading — and how much might have covered personal errands.

Legislative auditors have asked the Canyon County prosecutor’s office to determine whether any laws were broken. Crane has retained former attorney general David Leroy — a sort of go-to defense attorney in Idaho political circles.

These facts don’t mean Crane has broken the law. Indeed, it’s quite possible he will be exonerated. But here’s the section of Miller’s story that I find most damning. “Crane claims he’s saving the state money by using a personal car. However, he doesn’t keep a detailed record or logbook to show everywhere he drove using the state gas card.”

Really? And this from the person elected to track the comings and goings of state tax dollars?

This is sloppy. Pure and simple. And even if it doesn’t rise to the level of criminal behavior, there’s still no excuse for it.

Surely, it would be a tedious exercise for Crane to keep a record of his travels, making sure public dollars are spent only on the public’s business. If it’s such an onerous accounting task, even for someone who should be well-versed in such work, perhaps Crane should just pay for his own gas. Then he can come and go as he pleases.

Crane also made headlines last fall, when Miller reported on the state’s use of stretch limousines during the state’s annual trips to meet with Wall Street financial analysts. As a result, relatives who make the trips to New York will now be required to pay their own way for limos — just as they cover their own airfare, meals and hotels.

Crane seems prone to trouble with ground transportation. And trouble with details.

ANOTHER KUNA-VERSY

Before the Nov. 8 election, former (and would-be) Kuna Mayor Greg Nelson was remarkably candid with our editorial board. If elected, Nelson said he would push city Planning Director Steve Hasson out of City Hall.

Now, after Nelson’s election, the reasons are becoming more evident. Nelson and Hasson are embroiled in a dispute over $36,600 in sewer-connection fees for Nelson’s restaurant and lounge. Nelson maintains he cut a deal with the city on the fees in 2004; Hasson has been the point person on City Hall’s behalf, writing letters demanding the $36,600 payment.

Not a good move, from the standpoint of job security.

I have no idea who’s right about what Nelson owes or doesn’t owe. The unfortunate thing is, no one at Kuna City Hall seems to have any idea either. Which is both amusing and troubling.

Yes, come Monday morning, the attention of Idaho punditry will focus largely on the Statehouse and the amusing/troubling public policy that will surely emanate from there. But for a good old-fashioned convoluted brouhaha, you can’t beat small-town politics. And for some reason, Kuna never disappoints.

HIGH PRICE OF PUNISHMENT

The Nov. 18 execution of convicted murderer Paul Ezra Rhoades cost Idaho taxpayers $53,411.

Incarcerating an inmate in Idaho's maximum-security prison costs Idaho taxpayers $81.93 per day, Correction Department spokesman Jeff Ray said Wednesday. That comes out to $29,904.45 per year.

In other words, the cost of putting one inmate to death equals the cost of keeping that inmate behind bars — for 21 months. And that doesn’t even begin to factor in the cost of death row appeals.

Supporting or opposing the death penalty is ultimately a visceral decision. But if you do support capital punishment, you should do it with an open eye to the exorbitant cost of this process — from its start to its conclusion.

I hope, at some point, that one of the self-described fiscal conservatives at the Statehouse would take up this argument. I’m not betting on it, though.

© 2011 Idaho Statesman

Kevin Richert: 377-6437