House OKs mental health crisis center funding

COEUR d’ALENE — Funding for a $1.7 million mental health crisis center for North Idaho passed the full House, with three area legislators voting against it.

The funding is part of the Department of Health and Welfare’s $36.7 million budget.

Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene, said she has been voting against all appropriations bills that include pay increases and money to cover the increased cost of state employee health insurance.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for their health insurance increases,” Sims said, explaining that all other Idahoans have to pay for their own health insurance increases.

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