State Affairs Rejects Immigration Bill

After a three-hour hearing with lots of testimony on both sides - but far more against the bill than in favor - Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, made a motion to send SB 1303, Sen. Mike Jorgenson’s sweeping immigration legislation, to the amending order. Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, seconded the motion - but it failed on a 7-2 vote. That means the bill is dead. The other immigration bill, SB 1271, will be taken up tomorrow, as the hearing ran a half-hour past its allotted time/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise.

• Jorgenson: ‘We put up a good fight’ /Eye On Boise
• Lots of testimony at immigration hearing /Eye On Boise
• JFAC sets parks budget with big cuts /Eye On Boise
• Obama to welcome Alabama, not Boise State /Erika Bolstad, Idaho Politics
• Plan would increase tax breaks for donations to parks, some agencies /Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Arts, secretary of state to see 9% cut /Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Crapo, Risch move to protect small communities in drinking water enforcement /Dan Popkey, Idaho Politics

Question: Given the lopsided vote in the Senate State Affairs Committee, should Jorgenson quit trying to push his version of immigration reform in Idaho?