The slowdown showdown…

Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how action in the Idaho House slowed to a near-standstill today, as House Democrats made good on the threat they issued a day earlier to use whatever means they have available to stall the session in protest until majority Republicans allow hearings on two bills. The Democrats want hearings on a proposed $1.25 increase in Idaho’s 57-cent-per-pack cigarette tax, a proposal that’s been hanging since before the session started but never has been introduced; and a measure calling for an advisory vote of the people on state schools Superintendent Tom Luna’s controversial school reform package.

House GOP leaders said they hoped to get through the remaining House bills on their 2nd and 3rd reading calendars today; they’ve done that, and are now taking up a Senate bill, SB 1080a, on early childhood and early intervention service; it’s 14 pages long, and is being read in full.