idaho legislature

Idaho Legislature Has Too Much Time On Its Hands

By Sharon Fisher, 2-10-09

One of the traditions in the Idaho House is to freak out the newbie legislators by everyone voting “no” on their first bill, and then changing it at the last minute.

After two implementations of that tradition today, Speaker of the House Lawerence Denney (R-Midvale) got them back.

Typically, Denney tells everyone when it’s time to vote, and they push the buttons on their computers to turn the light on the board next to their name to green (for yes) or red (for no). Then he says, “Has every member voted?” followed by “Does any member wish to change their vote?” and then tells the clerk to lock the board and record the votes. It’s very ritualistic and very rote; the Speaker barely pauses after the question for a response.

Representative Marc Gibbs, (R-Grace), got his baptism with H18, having to do with letting employees of Boise State University being transferred to the College of Western Idaho keeping their sick time. Most people voted “no,” then when Denney asked if anyone wanted to change their vote, most people quickly changed and voted “yes.”

He was followed by Representative Jeff Thompson, (R-Idaho Falls), also on his first bill with H19, transferring real and personal property of the Board of Education. Again, most people voted “no.” But then Denney instructed the clerk to lock the machine and record the votes, without asking whether anyone wished to change their vote, with a number of red lights still on the board.

Three representatives—all women; perhaps we have slower reflexes—shamefacedly then asked Denney if they could change their vote.

The last bill of the morning, H31, about wildfires, was sponsored by Representative Marv Hagedorn, (R-Meridian), who warned the body before proceeding that this wasn’t his first bill—and everyone dutifully voted “yes” without messing around further.

Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.