House State Affairs reconsidering blocking 1 percent COLA for state retirees

The House State Affairs Committee has voted on straight party lines - with all Democrats objecting - to reconsider yesterday’s 13-5 vote to kill a resolution from Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, to block a scheduled 1 percent COLA for state retirees. Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, made the motion to reconsider, saying there’s new information. Committee Chair Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, then made a motion to send the measure, HCR 42, to the House floor with a recommendation that it “do-pass.” The committee is debating now.