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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Rep. Scott: ‘The fiscal note should be priceless’

Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, speaks out against child support enforcement legislation in the House on Monday (AP / Otto Kitsinger)
Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, speaks out against child support enforcement legislation in the House on Monday (AP / Otto Kitsinger)

Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, told the House, “There’s a lot of questions I still have on this bill. … I believe we’d lose the due process to our citizens in the court. … I don’t like it when I’m told you need to make a decision because there’s a gun put to your head. … We’re being told if you don’t make the right decision, you’re going to lose money. … I believe it could be better described as … submitting to federal coercion. … The fiscal note should be priceless.” She said, “Most of the people testifying against this bill were average citizens and they’re concerned about the federal overreach and loss of their sovereignty.”

Scott said, “This new language will allow us to enter the treaty, and that’s not been hidden – that’s the ultimate goal of this.” She said, “We’re opening the door now. If this passes today, this is Step 1.” Scott said it could lead to more international treaties being integrated into state law. “To me it’s a slippery slope, and I believe it’s centralized planning at its best, and it is a big deal.”

Scott said she believes the state of Idaho is entering into an international treaty by passing the bill, in violation of the U.S. Constitution, though Deputy Attorney General Scott Keim specifically told the joint Judiciary committees today that it's not. “I’ve got so much more, but I just believe this is a very serious decision, and this is historic,” she said.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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