School bus ads bill hits detour in House…

The Meridian School District’s proposal to allow advertising on school buses as a money-making move ran into trouble on the House floor today, where several lawmakers had debated sharply against it, when House Education Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, asked to return the bill to the House Education Committee “for further work.” The move came after one representative objected that the bill could open the door to ads inside the buses as well as outside; and others raised concerns about competition with private enterprise and safety. Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, told the House, “It’s akin to slapping bumper stickers on safety barrels down the freeway. School buses are safety vehicles and we should leave them that way.” The House agreed to Nonini’s request by unanimous consent.