Senate passes anti-union bill, 26-8
The Senate has voted 26-8 in favor of SB 1373, the new version of an anti-union bill regarding "project labor agreements" that passed last year, but was overturned in court; click below for a full report from the Associated Press. The Senate then moved into its 14th Order to take up amendments to bills; it also plans to come back on the floor at 4:30 this afternoon to consider bills.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Senate Republicans took on a federal judge by name, daring him to reject the latest attempt to forbid state and local government from requiring union labor on public works projects.
Wednesday's vote was 26-8, moving the bill to the House for consideration.
In January, U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled a similar 2011 law was illegal
But Senate backers insist they've made changes to this one that will avoid Winmill's objections.
GOP Sen. John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene threw down the gauntlet, telling lawmakers Winmill will have a tough time trying to overturn this one.
Even so, union attorney James Piotrowski contends this renewed legislation will only add to taxpayers' legal costs.
Sen. Michelle Stennett of Ketchum argued Idaho's workforce is less than 10 percent unionized, making such legislation unnecessary.
