Complaint Committee Goes By The Boards

The Idaho House has voted to eliminate the special committee that fielded complaints from state employees.

The vote was 58-11 on Thursday as the House approved legislation eliminating a committee created nine years ago to review state personnel matters and complaints from state workers. The bill goes to the Senate.

Rep. John Tippets, R-Bennington, said a dozen members of the House and Senate served on the committee, often hearing complex matters. In cases where action was required, the lawmakers frequently wound up hearing the same testimony twice.

“I think it was a very good idea and served a useful function for many years,” Tippets said. “This in no way is intended to limit access of public employees to the Legislature.”

“It would eliminate a process that has served the Legislature and the people very well,” said Rep. John Alexander, D-Pocatello.