House approves raises in salaries

The House voted 62-4 on Tuesday for a bill to raise the salary of the governor and other elected officials by 4 percent starting Jan. 1. Separately, House lawmakers voted 57-10 on a measure to raise elected officials’ salaries an additional 3 percent annually from 2008 to 2010.

With the latest package, the governor would earn $115,348 by Jan. 1, 2010, from $101,500 now. The salary of the part-time lieutenant governor would rise to $30,400 from $26,750.

The Senate must vote on both measures.

The bills also cover salaries for secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, state treasurer, state controller and the attorney general.

In total, the raises will cost the state an additional $13,400 for 2007, because they cover only half the fiscal year. If approved, the raises be elected officials’ first in five years.

Abortion bill passes Senate

The Senate voted 30-5 Tuesday for a bill requiring doctors to inform women of the consequences of an abortion before performing the procedure, or else face punishment. The law, which now goes to the House, also makes women wait 24 hours before having an abortion.

The state’s existing “informed consent” law, passed in 1983, has been deemed unconstitutional by state attorneys, particularly because it didn’t provide exceptions in the event of a medical emergency.

The new bill includes such exceptions.

Idaho has been forced to pay more than $700,000 in legal costs and legal-fee reimbursements over failed abortion legislation since 2000.

Doctors who don’t provide the required information, including an accurate description of fetal development and potential psychological effects for the women following the procedure, can face fines of up to $100 per month for each month in which they continue to perform abortions without following the statute.

Home-defense bill goes to governor

The House voted 61-6 on Tuesday in favor of a National Rifle Association-backed measure that gives Idaho residents the right to defend their homes and businesses by whatever force is necessary – without fear of a lawsuit.

The bill has already passed the Senate and heads to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne for his signature.

The bill was modeled after a Florida law that makes residents immune from civil or criminal prosecution if they injure someone who breaks into their home.

Post Falls

Part of Westwood to be closed

Westwood Avenue will be closed in Post Falls on Thursday from the north end of Sandpiper to Pinewood.

The closure from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is for a sewer hookup.

Local traffic will be able to get through, but other traffic will be detoured.

Compiled from staff and wire reports