‘That’s a breakthrough’

Today marked the first time - in five straight years of trying - that the day care licensing bill has made it out of committee and to the full chamber in either house. “That’s a breakthough of sorts,” said Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene. The 8-1 vote to send the bill, SB 1112, to the full Senate for amendments was a strong one, with just Sen. Melinda Smyser, R-Parma, voting no. Even Sen. Denton Darrington voted in favor of moving the bill to the Senate’s 14th Order. “Sen. Darrington has, I think, appreciated that the current statute needs changing,” Sayler said after the vote. “I think he was aware of public opinion and the changing nature of Idaho, and that there was a lot of public support for this legislation even though he didn’t support it.”

Looking ahead, Sayler said, “It’s going to be a real struggle still in the House - we can’t take it for granted.” He and co-sponsor Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, are working with other senators on three amendments, including one suggested during the hearing by Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell. “I think with these three amendments we have now, we have a good bill and should have a lot of support,” Sayler said. Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com.