Eye On Boise

Kralicek bill unanimously passes House

March 30, 2009 10:44 a.m. • 5 comments

SB 1111, which would help permanently disabled law enforcement officers like Mike Kralicek of Coeur d’Alene with health insurance costs for their families, has passed the House unanimously and now heads to Gov. Butch Otter. Kralicek actually isn’t covered by the bill - it’s only for those injured on or after July 1, 2009. But the Coeur d’Alene police officer, who suffered critical brain and spinal cord injuries after a fleeing, handcuffed suspect shot him in the face three days after Christmas in 2004, is a big supporter of the measure, as is his wife, Carrie, to help others who face situations like theirs in the future. The bill, SB 1111, would provide a $100,000 lump-sum payment to cover the family’s health insurance costs in such situations. It’s entirely funded by the officers themselves, through a slightly increased retirement contribution, and run through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, at no cost to either the state or local governments. Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, told the House, “This is a very important piece of legislation to fill a hole that’s been a need in our state for many years.”

Five comments on this post so far. Add yours!

thomg57 on March 30 at 6:13 p.m.
This bill is not going to be retroactive, so why is Bob Nonini’s bill to eliminate early retirement for teachers allowed to be retroactive?
hhuseland on March 30 at 6:25 p.m.
I am appalled that this bill couldn’t have been made retroactive. I do understand that officer Kralicek opted to be shorted so that the bill would pass. The legislators should have manned up and given it to him anyway. What the hell!
stebbijo on March 30 at 8:02 p.m.
I agree with ThomG and Herb Huseland on their opinions regarding the Krailcek bill.

I also believe that Marge Chadderdon’s bill that Idaho agencies should buy flags made in America and not China should have been a go.. But, Idaho cannot afford to ship them back so we keep them?

In the same legislature we defy any government that might take our guns and claim it in support of our governor and constitutional, but denying flags from China is not?”. Do our legislators ever make any sense or am I just confused?