After a long and passionate debate, the House has killed HB 585a on a 32-36 vote, short-circuiting Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts' legislation to ease Boise County's ability to cope with a multimillion-dollar court judgment. "In comparison, this would be like a $3 billion lawsuit against the state of Idaho - that's the magnitude of what we're dealing with as compared to their budget," Roberts told the House. "The reason I believe it's the right thing to do is because No. 1, the bill is due and payable - whether there's a vote or not the bill is due and payable. ... I work for the taxpayers of this state, and the best way I know how to work for the taxpayers in this county is to provide them the best deal to pay an existing bill."

Among those debating vociferously against the bill was House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star. The bill would have allowed the county to sell bonds to cover its $5.4 million debt from the court judgment, and raise taxes without a vote to pay off the bonds; under current law, Roberts said, because the county is up against levy limits, it couldn't legally raise taxes even with a vote, though it's obligated to pay the judgment.