House welcomes back Rep. Elaine Smith; Rep. Ron Mendive still out for another week

Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, is back in the House today, after being gone for the session’s first few weeks due to illness, including a heart operation; House members welcomed her back. Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, who’s been out for knee replacement surgery, isn’t back yet. His son, Dirk Mendive, a BSU student, has been filling in for him; he informed the House this morning that, “There’s been a few complications and the doctor has yet to clear him, so he’s probably a week out at least. … He’s anxious to get back on his feet again.” He added, “This is the last day that I’m able to fill in for him. I thank everybody for their kindness to me.”

House Speaker Scott Bedke told him, “Please wish your father good luck and we wish him a speedy recovery. We understand that it might be your mother that’s going to sit in?” Dirk Mendive responded, “I believe so, yes. She’s driving to Boise.”