On The Record

Sat., March 25, 2000

Compiled By Beth Bow

Highlights from the past week in the Idaho Legislature.

They said it

“I feel like a corpse at a funeral. I know you can’t hold it without me, but I’m not here to add anything.” - Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, as she addressed the House Revenue and Taxation committee about a bill that would change the way community colleges are funded and offer property tax relief. The bill had basically been killed by the committee days before but had not yet been buried.

Votes

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

It’s dead: Members of the Senate killed a bill that would have upgraded Idaho’s standards for death investigations. Voting for the measure was Sen. Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino. Voting against the bill were: Sens. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum; Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint; Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene.

Religious rights: The House approved a measure, 53-17, that proponents say would guarantee religious freedom despite outcry from several mainstream religious leaders saying that the bill opens up excuses for “mischief in the name of God.”

Voting in favor of the measure were Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden; John Campbell, R-Sandpoint; Jerry Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint; Jim Clark, R-Hayden; Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino; Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene. In opposition were Reps. June Judd, D-St. Maries; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Wallace.

Tree tax cut: The Senate approved HB 513, which would give Idaho’s forestland owners immediate tax relief. Voting for the legislation were Sens. Boatright and Crow. Voting against the bill were Sens. Keough, McLaughlin and Riggs.

Keep in touch

To reach your legislator, call (800)626-0471, or e-mail infocntr@iso.state.id.us. To see legislation or agendas on the internet, go to www.state.id.us/legslat/legslat.html.

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