Every member of the House GOP leadership voted against HB 26 today, the bill to raise the POST fee to fund law enforcement training by $1.50 to $11.50, and House Majority Caucus Chair Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, led off the opposing debate. "I did serve in law enforcement for several years earlier in my life and I understand a lot of the training that you go through," Roberts told the House. "But I think this is a policy decision. Are we going to allow more and more agencies to identify a special fee that they can increase to try to fund what most other agencies are taking in reductions?" Law enforcement needs may be significant, he said, but so are needs in Health and Welfare programs and education. "We're all struggling with how to put a budget together this year."

Four House members were absent for today's vote, Reps. McGeachin, Patrick, Simpson and Thompson. All 13 House Democrats voted in favor of the bill, which Idaho State Police Col. Jerry Russell promoted in his budget presentation to JFAC this year as essential. House Republicans split, with 18 voting in favor and 35 against.