No liquor licenses for speedways

BOISE – A Senate committee abruptly killed a bill Friday that would have allowed Stateline Speedway in Post Falls and other car-racing facilities to get liquor licenses.

With no debate, the leadership-laden Senate State Affairs Committee shot down HB 149 by a 5-4 vote. Democratic Sens. Clint Stennett of Ketchum and Edgar Malepeai of Pocatello voted in favor of it, as did Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner of Lewiston and Majority Caucus Chairman Brad Little of Emmett.

“We ran into religious convictions,” said Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, a co-sponsor of the bill. “There are some in that committee, because of personal convictions, that cannot vote to give liquor licenses to anyone. It violates their beliefs.”

The decision came after the other District 5 lawmakers, Coeur d’Alene GOP Rep. Bob Nonini and Sen. Dick Compton, joined Henderson in supporting the bill at the hearing.

Special laws are required for facilities like ski areas and golf courses to serve hard liquor if they’re outside city limits. The bill, which passed the House by one vote several weeks ago, would have given the three motor-racing operations in the state – in Twin Falls, Meridian and Post Falls – the opportunity to obtain licenses.

Henderson and Compton told the committee there has never been a problem at Stateline Speedway since the current owner, Joe Doellefeld, has run the facility. The stock-car racing operation currently has a beer and wine license.

“I’m disappointed that a group (of lawmakers) from southeastern Idaho, who won’t be affected by this at all, would say this good business shouldn’t have a liquor license,” Compton said.

Voting no were Majority Leader Bart Davis of Idaho Falls; President Pro Tem Bob Geddes of Soda Springs; Sen. Don Burtenshaw, R-Terreton; Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo; and Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa.

Henderson noted that each year, nearly 200,000 people visit the speedway, which runs race events from March through October. Race sponsors, he said, would like to be able to serve hard liquor.

“How do all these people get home?” Geddes said.

Compton said drunken driving has never been a problem with people leaving the track.