On The Record

On the record

Highlights from the Idaho Legislature in the past week

They said it

“Break the shackles of a group that has little or no political clout. Do the right and fair thing.” - Rep. Jesse Berain, R-Boise, on legislation to require workers compensation insurance for farm workers. Berain is a former farm worker. The bill failed.

VOTES

A sampling of North Idaho lawmakers’ votes in the past week:

A break for newcomers: SB 1203, a bill that would have imposed a three-year residence requirement for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, was killed on the Senate floor on a 13-20 vote. Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene, voted for the bill. Voting against were Sens. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum; Gordon Crow, R-Hayden; Tim Tucker, D-Porthill; and Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino.

Ranchers prevail: The Senate passed SB 1194, a bill that would allow only ranchers to bid on grazing leases on state lands, on a 22-6 vote.

Voting in favor were: Republicans Clyde Boatright and Gordon Crow. Voting against: Democrats Tim Tucker and Mary Lou Reed.

Farm worker fight: HB 195, which would require farmers to provide workers compensation insurance for farm workers, was killed in the House on a 23-47 vote.

Voting in favor of the bill were Reps. Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint; Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint, and Marvin Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene. Voting against were Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene; Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls; Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene; June Judd, D-St. Maries; and Charles Cuddy, D-Orofino.

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