A move to send the grocery tax relief bill to the amending order failed 10-25, and then the Senate voted 27-8 in favor of the bill, sending it to the governor’s desk. The move to amend was for fear of the out-years financial impact of the bill. “Next year’s budget is going to be even more difficult without the passage of this,” warned Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert. Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, the bill’s Senate sponsor, said, “We know there are concerns about the financial impact of this bill. It’s a big deal.” Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, said, “It comes down to priorities. My question is, when are we going to put the families and the working people of Idaho as our first priority? Is this the best step? For me, no. It’s a bite, it moves us forward.”

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