GOP leaders: ‘We’ll work into the weekend’

House Republican leaders held a press conference this afternoon to decry House Democrats’ stalling tactics in protest of the lack of hearings for two bills they want heard. “Republican legislators have kept their promise to balance the budget without raising taxes this year,” declared House GOP Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly. “The budget has been balanced.” Roberts said he’s “had enough of playing the political games,” and said, “We want to close up shop.”

The two bills Democrats want hearings on are a cigarette tax increase and a measure calling for an advisory vote of the people on school reform. Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, the House education chairman, said he thinks Idahoans support the reforms. “I don’t see this overwhelming outcry to do anything,” he said. “I’m hearing good support up home.” Roberts said he, too, is hearing “strong support.” When a Fox 12 TV reporter asked Nonini about the extensive protests outside the Capitol against the school reform bills, Nonini said, “I think most of the protesters out there were probably teachers from the Boise-Meridian areas. It’s easy for them to get over here.”

House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said as for the Democrats’ demand for hearings, “The legislative process has been used and found that there’s not support for those hearings.” But neither of those bills has been introduced. Roberts said, “To get those bills before a committee for a hearing, you have to have enough votes to get ‘em introduced.” Bedke said the Legislature doesn’t want to consider a cigarette tax increase until it addresses issues with “our neighbors the tribes.” He said, “If we do continue these types of tactics, we’ll work longer hours, we’ll work into the weekend.”

Shortly after the press conference, the House returned to session, and Democrats again objected to waiving full reading of bills. The House is now hearing its next bill, HB 140a, a seven-page bill on juvenile corrections, read in full.