Democrats force hearing on minimum wage bill
Democrats brought the state House to a standstill Tuesday by refusing to go along with suspending reading of bills – in a successful bid to force a hearing on a long-pending minimum wage bill.
House GOP leaders have been sitting on the bill all session, and haven’t allowed a hearing on it. The bill would raise Idaho’s $5.15 per hour minimum wage by a dollar, plus index it to inflation in the future. The wage hasn’t been adjusted in more than a decade.
Because of the Democrats’ protest, bills had to be read in full – and at length – by House Chief Clerk Pamm Juker, who dutifully read, and read, and read. In an hour, the House got through only two bills, with a couple of breaks for huddled negotiations.
Finally, House Speaker Bruce Newcomb called a halt, and there were more negotiations, followed by caucuses for both parties – behind closed doors for the Republicans, and openly for the minority Democrats. In the end, Newcomb came to the Democratic caucus and met with Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet outside the room, and the two shook hands. Then Jaquet announced to her caucus that the minimum wage bill would be introduced today and have a full hearing Thursday.
“Good job, guys,” she said amid cheering. “We’re now going back to do the people’s work.”
– Betsy Z. Russell
Businessman, principal honored for rights efforts
A businessman and a school principal were honored this week for their commitment to human rights in North Idaho.
The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations presented its Civil Rights Award to Dennis Wheeler, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp., at its annual banquet Monday night.
“He’s an example of someone in the business community who really cares about human rights and civil rights,” said Tony Stewart, a North Idaho College political science instructor and member of the task force.
The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a long record of supporting human rights, possesses the courage of his or her convictions, and stands up in the face of discrimination. Wheeler’s support included help in housing the Human Rights Education Institute for three years. The institute is the educational arm of the task force.
Pam Pratt, principal at Skyway Elementary School in Coeur d’Alene, was named the task force’s Bill Wassmuth Memorial Volunteer of the Year for her work coordinating an annual Martin Luther King Jr. program for fifth-grade students in 14 area schools.
The award is named for the late Rev. Bill Wassmuth, a Catholic priest who founded the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, which later became the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity, in 1986 after members of the Aryan Nations placed a bomb in his Coeur d’Alene home.
– Scott Maben
Dog that attacked boy being held in quarantine
One of two pit bulls that attacked a 12-year-old Post Falls boy Thursday is being held in quarantine at the Post Falls Animal Shelter.
The other dog was shot by police the day of the attack after charging an officer. Police believed both dogs were hit and the one that didn’t die was wandering on the loose.
Post Falls police Lt. Scot Haug said police served a search warrant at 1120 N. Shannon Lane after hearing the pit bull inside.
“We had asked the owners to call us if the dog returned,” Haug said.
Charges are pending against the dogs’ owner for allowing the dogs to run loose and for not licensing the dogs, Haug said. The owner of the dogs, 23-year-old Cody Tucker, was cited by Post Falls police in January for allowing the dogs to run loose.
Haug said the pit bull will be kept in quarantine for 10 days in case it has rabies and then police plan to declare the dog vicious. Under city code, the owners would have to keep the dog in a secure pen, post signs that the dog is vicious and carry $50,000 liability insurance in case the dog attacks again.
– Taryn Brodwater