On The Record

Sat., March 16, 1996

Compiled By Betsy Z. Russell

Highlights from the past week in the Idaho Legislature

They said it

“It was a dream that became a nightmare.” - Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene, on dog racing, which the Legislature then voted to ban.

Votes

Here are some of North Idaho lawmakers’ votes in the past week:

Rev it up: The House voted 55-13 for maximum speed limits of 75 mph on interstate freeways and 65 mph on state and local roads. Voting in favor were Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene; Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls; Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene; Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint; and Marv Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene. Voting against the bill was Rep. June Judd, D-St. Maries. The measure earlier passed the Senate.

Voters will decide: The Senate voted 23-10 for legislation sought by Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Kootenai County to let Kootenai County voters, by a 60 percent vote, approve a local sales tax. At least half of the proceeds would go to property tax relief. Voting in favor were Sens. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum; Gordon Crow, R-Hayden; Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino; Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene; and Tim Tucker, D-Porthill.

Jet-ski regulation: The Senate voted 19-15 to authorize cities and counties to regulate personal watercraft operation. Sens. Boatright, McLaughlin, Reed, Tucker and Crow all voted in favor, although Crow first opposed the bill, then switched to a yes vote when it was reconsidered. The measure now goes to the governor.

This was the final week of the legislative session. Although legislative action is complete, some bills still await action by Gov. Phil Batt, who can sign bills, veto them, or allow them to become law without his signature.

To check on the status of legislation or review the legislation proposed this session, anyone with a computer, modem and Internet access may go to http://www.state.id.us, or search for the keywords “Idaho Legislature.”

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