Rousing Issues Produce Share Of Drowsing
Can it be coincidence that both these things are happening?
The Legislature is tackling lots of big, complicated, technical issues, from telecommunications deregulation to truck weights to workers compensation reform.
All around the Statehouse, people are falling asleep in committee hearings in what appear to be record numbers.
Look into almost any legislative committee room. You’ll see lawmakers nodding off. Lobbyists with heavy eyelids. Visiting schoolchildren fast asleep in their chairs. Reporters struggling to stay awake.
To make matters worse, the big crush of legislative activity has finally hit, and committees are starting to meet as early as 7 a.m.
Lots of calories, too
In a room packed with industry lobbyists, Rep. Ron Crane opened a 7:30 a.m. meeting of the House State Affairs Committee to discuss telephone deregulation with this disclaimer:
“The doughnuts are not from AT&T or U S West. They are from Skip Smyser of the tobacco lobby, so help yourself.” After that public announcement, the legislators didn’t seem too hungry.
Gushing was in order
Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden, was pretty thrilled that he was selected this week to introduce U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth before her annual speech to the House. In his remarks, Alltus recalled the first time he met “this very, very bright, articulate woman,” and how, “I knew that night, this is the person I must support for Congress.” He went on, telling lawmakers, “I was just totally impressed with her philosophies and what she has done.” Then Alltus reached the climax of his introductory speech, proclaiming, “It is totally my privilege - I stand in awe here - to be able to introduce the congressman from the 1st District, Helen Chenoweth.”
And on the darker side
A giant bill that would amend 18 separate sections of Idaho law dealing with workers compensation is being called the “Omnibus Bill” by its sponsors.
But its size apparently has led others to view it with more misgiving.
On agendas posted for several days prior to a hearing on the bill this week, the measure was identified as the “Ominous Bill.”
Even the stars object
Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, figured something was up when she saw her horoscope in this newspaper on Monday. “You could cause yourself a problem where there is no need to have one,” the advice for Libra read. “Others may find you - yes, you - uncooperative. Do your work, and STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS.”
About the time she learned what the stars supposedly had in store for her, the House went into a long debate over a bill that would have impounded a drunken driver’s car for 30 days on a first offense, and sold it at public auction on the third.
Amid arguments that the bill would punish the drunk’s family members and that it would be a logistical nightmare for police departments, the vote came out 16-53, with Kellogg the only North Idaho lawmaker voting in favor.
“I was the one that made the motion to get the … thing out of committee,” she said ruefully.
Brandishing the clipped-out horoscope, she said with a laugh, “I’m sitting there looking at that, and thinking, ‘Why am I here today?”’
, DataTimes MEMO: North-South Notes runs every other Saturday. To reach Betsy Z. Russell, call 336-2854, send a fax to 336-0021 or e-mail to bzrussell@rmci.net.