Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the tribal policing issue that's back before lawmakers, after a deal that averted legislation last spring fell apart. "That agreement was not signed, which necessitates coming back before the Legislature and asking for a resolution of this issue," the tribe's lobbyist, Bill Roden, told the House State Affairs Committee. Benewah County Sheriff Bob Kirts disputed that. "If you agree in principle, it's not a final contract," he said. "They said, 'No, you can't make any changes to what you agreed to in Boise.' That's not how it works."

The tribe said the county proposed about 50 changes to the agreement after the Legislature adjourned last spring. Rep.  Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry, the new House Judiciary Committee chairman and a retired state trooper, traveled to Benewah County in December to try to get the two sides back to the table to reach an agreement. Things looked promising, he said. "When I left there, I thought we had a good understanding, but it didn't materialize - the county wouldn't even come back to the table."