Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Adding protections for gays and lesbians to Idaho's Human Rights Act won't get a vote this year. But it is due a hearing. On Wednesday at 8 a.m. in the Abraham Lincoln Auditorium, the joint House and Senate State Affairs committees are set to hear presentations spearheaded by Democratic Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb of Boise. Sen. Curt McKenzie, a Nampa Republican and Senate State Affairs Committee chairman, said on Monday that Buckner-Webb requested proponents of adding workplace and housing discrimination protections for gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals get a forum to keep discussion of the issue alive. A year ago, a bill was killed in McKenzie's Senate panel, with GOP lawmakers refusing to introduce it for a public hearing. McKenzie says he's convinced the vote hasn't changed since then, so he doesn't want to schedule a formal hearing; no public testimony will be taken at Wednesday's session.