There was laughter in the House when Majority Leader Lawerence Denney made this announcement: “Since tomorrow starts the first day of our new diet, there will not be any food in the House lounge.” The House then honored its chef and assistant with a standing ovation.

Their departure increases the chances that the House will do as its leaders are hoping: Wrap up this over-long legislative session tomorrow and adjourn sine die, which means without a date to start up again this year – or, basically, for good.

However, both houses have now adjourned for the day, with plans to come back tomorrow morning. That means there’s still work to do – in addition to the highway bill, there are the remaining vetoed bills to address, the Senate has not yet taken up major water legislation, a controversial bill partially closing a tax loophole for developers still awaits amendments in the Senate, etc. Meanwhile, it’s already daylight savings time. This is now the fourth-longest legislative session in Idaho history – eclipsed only by 1967’s 89-day session, 1983’s 95 days and 2003’s record 118 days. Today is this year’s 86th day.

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