Gettin’ a legislative spanking
When House Majority Leader Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, asked for unanimous consent to move up the Nez Perce water rights agreement on the House calendar, as planned, Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, threw a wrench into the process by objecting. House Speaker Bruce Newcomb, who was celebrating his 65th birthday that day and already had had his own Tax Committee rebel against him by killing the governor’s corporate incentive tax package, banged his gavel and ordered Barrett into his office.
Five minutes later, Newcomb and Barrett emerged, Barrett saying, “I’ll let everyone think that you gave me a good spanking.”
“I didn’t give you a good spanking,” Newcomb said, laughing. “Well, you tried!” Barrett huffed. “No, I didn’t,” Newcomb said, putting a hand on Barrett’s shoulder as the two went back into the House chamber. There were no further objections to the procedural move, though Barrett debated long and hard against the agreement.
Five minutes later, Newcomb and Barrett emerged, Barrett saying, “I’ll let everyone think that you gave me a good spanking.”
“I didn’t give you a good spanking,” Newcomb said, laughing. “Well, you tried!” Barrett huffed. “No, I didn’t,” Newcomb said, putting a hand on Barrett’s shoulder as the two went back into the House chamber. There were no further objections to the procedural move, though Barrett debated long and hard against the agreement.
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Eye On Boise." Read all stories from this blog