Vick, Nuxoll Fail To Send ‘Message’

Betsy Russell/Eye on Boise reports that 2 North Idaho senators — Steve Vick, R- Dalton Gardens, and Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood — were behind a failed minority move that would have cost the state federal Medicaid dollars:

Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, led a move to cut out the $225,900 in state funds. Along with Sens. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, and Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, Thayn proposed a budget motion slicing out that state money, saying, “This is something that’s required by the federal government. I think this is $225,000 that we could be using in other areas. Since it’s their policy, I think we should be using their money.” However, by failing to provide the state match, Idaho could lose the entire $1.46 million in federal funds, putting it into a position of non-compliance with the federal law. More here.

Question: Are you as tired as I am of these symbolic attempts by North Idaho legislators to send a message to Washington — a message that would hurt important funding for Idaho?