On The Record

Highlights from the past week in the Idaho Legislature

They said it

“This has been the most heartwrenching political decision I’ve had to make in my whole political career, all month and a half of it.” - Rep. Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls, on his decision to vote against a bill requiring workers compensation insurance for farm workers. The bill won committee approval on a 7-5 vote.

Votes

Following are some of North Idaho lawmakers’ votes from the past week:

Dearly beloved: The House passed HB176, which would abolish common law marriages, on a 48-22 vote. It now heads to the Senate. Voting for the bill were Republicans Jeff Alltus, Tom Dorr, Hilde Kellogg and Don Pischner and Democrat June Judd. Voting against were Democrats Carol Pietsch, Charles Cuddy, Jim Stoicheff and Marvin Vandenberg and Republican Wayne Meyer.

Until we part: A Senate bill to require formalizing and enforcement of premarital agreements passed the Senate by a 22-13 margin. Voting in favor were Democrats Marguerite McLaughlin, Mary Lou Reed and Tim Tucker and Republican Gordon Crow. Voting against was Republican Clyde Boatright.

Election options:-Rep. Tim Tucker’s bill, SB1102, which would enable voters of a county to choose to elect county commissioners by district, passed the Senate on a 22-11 vote. Voting with Tucker were: Democrat Mary Lou Reed and Republican Clyde Boatright. Republican Gordon Crow voted against.

To reach your legislator, call (800) 626-0471.