On The Record

They said it

“When you’ve had a good banquet, there’s no reason to eat the tablecloth, too.” - Gov. Phil Batt, urging the Legislature to adjourn.

“Maybe once and for all we’ll be able to find Rep. Stoicheff’s wallet containing his $2,500 clothing allowance.” - Part of a fictitious reading of bill given by Rep. Pete Black, D-Pocatello, to demonstrate that no one listens to bill readings. The reading included other humorous quips at legislators; Black got halfway through before the House realized he wasn’t reading a real bill.

“Let’s quit talking about states’ rights, and let’s get it on.” - Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene.

Votes:

Highlights of North Idaho lawmakers’ votes in the past week:

Taming the feds: The House voted 52-17 to create the constitutional defense fund.

Republicans Jeff Alltus, Tom Dorr, Hilde Kellogg, Wayne Meyer and Don Pischner supported the bill.

Democrats Jim Stoicheff, Charles Cuddy, June Judd, Carol Pietsch and Marvin Vandenberg voted to block it.

Protecting priests: By a 43-25 margin, the House agreed to exempt clergy from reporting confessions of child sexual abusers.

Supporters included Republicans Jeff Alltus, Tom Dorr, Hilde Kellogg, Don Pischner and Wayne Meyer and Democrats Jim Stoicheff and Marvin Vandenberg.

Democrats Charles Cuddy, June Judd and Carol Pietsch voted against.

Need a light? A bill diverting half the money generated from state cigarette taxes to juvenile probation passed 21-14 in the Senate. In the past, the whole amount went toward drug abuse education in public schools.

Voting in favor were Republicans Clyde Boatright and Gordon Crow.

Opposing were Democrats Mary Lou Reed, Tim Tucker and Marguerite McLaughlin.