Rep. Lynn Luker Fights Laryngitis and Obamacare

Despite a bout of laryngitis Rep. Lynn Luker spent half an hour on the Idaho House floor debating against creating a state based exchange to implement Obamacare. He joined with 29 other Republicans to vote against HB 248. Unfortunately, the bill passed 41-29 with 28 other Republicans joining all of the 13 Democrats in the House to create a state based exchange. It is disappointing to see this happen after Idaho took the lead in opposing Obamacare with the Idaho Health Freedom Act in 2010 sponsored by Rep. Luker. Here is the link to his debate, but note one inadvertant statement where he said the least expensive exchange was a state based exchange and also said the state based exchange was the most expensive. He intended to say that Delaware projected that the federally operated exchange was the least expensive to operate. www.idahoreporter.com/2013/rep-lynn-luker-weve-got…-baby

Idaho Veterinary Licensing Board Wants To Keep Both Application And Licensing Fees When Denying An Application – What Do You ThinK?

HB 97 would allow the licensing board to keep not only the application fee but also the first year licensing fee which must be paid upon application, even when denying a license for whatever reason. Currently the law provides that the board may keep the application fee but must return the first year licensing fee to the applicant when an application is denied. HB 97 would change that and let the board keep both fees even though the applicant is not granted a license to practice. On the floor I argued that it was like a college requiring an application fee and first semester tuition, but if you were not accepted to the school they could keep your tuition anyway. Twenty-nine other House members joined me in voting against the bill, but it passed narrowly on a 34-30 vote with 6 absent and excused. The bill is now headed to the Senate. What do you think?

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow, Nor Holiday Shall Keep The Legislators From Their Appointed Rounds

So far this session Idaho legislators have battled the elements on many days as they made their way to the capitol. Fortunately, President’s Day was not a day of precipitation in Boise. In fact it was a beautiful, though cool day outside. Inside, however, despite the holiday, it was a day of continuing work for Idaho legislators. Morning committees convened as usual to hear and debate bills. Then, as is customary on President’s Day, the legislature took time out to pay respects to those colleagues from past years who this year departed from mortal life for the next. I was privileged to honor Lyle R. Cobbs, from Boise, who served in both the House and the Senate and with the Tax Commission. Although I never knew Lyle, he left a legacy as a devoted public servant, a veteran, a man of faith and of family. Others had similar stories. It was a good reminder that as we honor our national presidents with a holiday, particularly Presidents Washington and Lincoln for whom the holiday was originally inaugurated, the day should not be just a day off, but should be a day for reflection, a day to truly think about and thank those who have given so much to create and preserve the liberty that we enjoy.

Updated Ethics Rule Passes House Judiciary and Rules Committee: Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, presented amendments to House Rule 76 creating a new standing House ethics committee. The amendments also clarify standards for ethics violations and procedures for processing complaints. The resolution passed the committee and moves to the House floor.

Slippery Slopes Today – Ice Storms And Obamacare

Boise woke up to freezing rain which closed I-84 for 100 miles east. I had to scrape my windshield twice just getting out of the subdivision with the icy coating overcoming my defroster and wipers. Finally at the statehouse, I was able to present a new bill to help save health insurance brokers from extinction by Obamacare. The healthcare law precludes brokers from participating in the new insurance exchanges unless states elect to allow them to participate. While debate over whether Idaho should have a state-based or federal exchange is vigorous and continuing, the brokers are caught in the middle. The law allowing the election does not distinquish between a federal or state exchange, therefore my bill makes the state election for brokers to participate, regardless of whether the exchange is a federal or state exchange. That way the debate can continue, but the brokers are at least in the game. This is just one of the slippry slopes contained in the so called Affordable Care Act. The bill was approved for printing and will likely move on to the House business committee for a hearing.

Rep. Lynn Luker Caught Working In Committee

Rep. Luker was caught by reporter Betsy Russell’s camera Tuesday, as the House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on rules regulating the use of state buildings and grounds. Concerns were raised by citizens and committee members about potential negative impacts upon rights of free speech. Two of the rules were held for further review. Photo and stories are here:
www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2013/jan/22/house-st…s-now
www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2013/jan/22/house-st…rules

Amendment to Idaho House Ethics Rules Introduced – After working together with Rep. Fred Wood for several months on legislation to update House ethics rules, I presented the resolution to the House Judicary and Rules Committee for introduction on Monday. The committee voted unanimously to print the resolution. It will be scheduled soon for a full hearing.
www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2013/jan/21/house-pa…ittee