House Democrats, who have held open caucuses for years, closed their caucus today when they took up discussion of a tentative deal. House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, told his caucus that he'd committed to House Majority Leader Mike Moyle that the caucus would discuss the deal privately. Ruchti booted two lobbyists and a reporter for the Lewiston Tribune for the closed-door discussion, which is still going. Meanwhile, House Republicans also are meeting behind closed doors, as is their normal practice.

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