Kootenai Co. eyes refugee resolution

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai County is expected to have a voice on government record should refugee resettlement ever occur here.

County commissioners are expected to approve at Tuesday's business meeting at 2 p.m. a resolution ensuring that, if resettlement occurs, the federal government will fund such activity so the financial burden does not fall on local taxpayers. It also supports a thorough investigation of each refugee to reduce the threat of terrorism.

Resolutions are non-binding and have no statutory authority.

Commissioners heard an earful from several of about 25 people who packed into the board's meeting room on Wednesday for a discussion that was resumed from Monday.

"We can't take care of our own," said Marty Lang, Zone 1 leader for a group called 3% of Idaho, which opposes refugee resettlement. "I know people who served in wars in this town who are homeless."

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