Legislators: Session was long, tough

SANDPOINT — There’s no place like home.

Even though area legislators faced a few tough questions from constituents Wednesday morning, they said they were glad to escape what was the second-longest and one of the most tumultous  legislative sessions in history.

A lack of funds, federal stimulus money and a serious battle over funding highway improvements were partially responsible for the 117-day session.

“I’m 52 and this was the longest year of my life,” said Rep. Eric Anderson to the 50 or so people assembled for the Back from Session Breakfast.

“The good news was that I didn’t kill anyone and nobody killed me,” Anderson said.

“We trimmed $450 million from the budget which was hard enough,” said Sen. Shawn Keough. “When the stimulus money arrived we basically had to start the budget process all over again. Stimulus added two weeks to the session.”

Also hanging over the legislature was the fact that 50,000 Idahoans are out of work.

Education was a top concern. In the end, $40 million was cut from the education budget.

The appropriation for teacher pay was cut 2.63 percent. The money for new textbooks and maintenance was also reduced and it appears tuition will increase.

Sen. Joyce Broadsword didn’t plan on the session going to overtime so she had her husband, John, fill in for her in Boise while she attended meetings in Washington, DC.

“He has a new respect for what I do now,” she said with a smile.

Rep. George Eskridge faulted the Democrats for “holding transportation hostage over education funding.”

“I am not happy with the compromise we came up with, but I admire the fact the governor vetoed 36 bills until he found something he could work with.”

Anderson was pleased he spearheaded efforts to help fight an invasion of quagga and zebra mussels with a $5 or $10 sticker that will raise money to build check stations.

Anderson estimates the mussels could cost the state more than $90 million if they became established in state lakes and rivers.

The legislators don’t see the economic crisis changing soon and each assumed the battle to fund Idaho highways will continue next session.

Even though next year isn’t an election year, they all tossed their hats in the ring and indicated they were going to run again.