House Democrats have followed through on their threat to slow down the session in protest over the majority's decision not to allow hearings on the Democrats' bills. First up was HB 310, legislation proposed by the counties in regards to the catastrophic health care fund, making a series of changes. When Democrats objected to waiving the full reading of the 25-page bill, the full reading was begun. But first, there was a dust-up over whether the title, too, had to be read in full. After the House went at ease for a bit, Speaker Lawerence Denney announced, "The speaker would rule that the Constitution says that the bill will be read section by section, and that does not include the title. So the clerk may begin reading at Section 1."

House Chief Clerk Bonnie Alexander then began reading, but at one point, Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, interrupted to point out that she'd missed a line, a mistake she then corrected. Yesterday, Denney downplayed the possibility of a slowdown, and told Idaho Statesman reporter Brian Murphy that if Democrats want to try parliamentary maneuvers, "That's certainly their prerogative." You can read Murphy's full story here.