The House still hasn’t reconvened, and won’t until the Senate gets the transportation bill, amends it and sends it over; drafting errors have prolonged the wait for that into unaccustomed dark hours of the night for the Idaho Legislature. But while they’re waiting, House Speaker Scott Bedke just made an announcement, noting that it’s a tradition to present the flag that flew over the chamber for the session to an especially deserving member. “This year we think it’s altogether fitting and proper that we present the flag that has flown over our chamber this session to Rep Boyle,” Bedke announced. “No one has had a harder session than she has.”

House members gave a standing ovation to Boyle, who underwent treatment for breast cancer this past fall, was at the center of debate over controversial concealed-carry legislation this year (Gov. Butch Otter signed the bill, HB 301, into law yesterday), and had another measure she sponsored vetoed this year, HB 126, to make a change to the school funding formula.

Bedke announced, “We understand there are some concerns about other issues, and we’ll take those up in due time.” That was a reference to the child-support enforcement bill killed in a House committee this afternoon.

House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, also made an announcement. “Today’s Friday, bow-tie Friday for some,” he said. “But it meets a time-worn tradition here in the House, ugly tie day, a tradition signaling it’s time to since die.” He said, “This was started by Bob Fick, a longtime Associated Press reporter. … Bob Fick will be retiring from the Department of Labor, where he’s worked since he left the AP, on May 1^st. Bob, we bid you a fond farewell. Thanks for the colorful reminder to get on out of here.”