Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Spokesman-Review - by Betsy Z. Russell: Unusual bills come to statehouses after shift toward tea party

May 22, 2011

From my Capitolbeat colleague, Betsy Z. Russell, at The Spokesman-Review:

Unusual bills come to statehouses after shift toward tea party

Betsy Z. Russell
The Spokesman-Review

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/22/a-capitol-year-for-odd-ideas/?print-friendly

Tags:2011 Idaho Legislaturelegislationlegislaturestea partywacky bills

In Washington

The trend toward unusual state legislation bypassed Washington this year, which is having a dreary session focused on deep budget shortfalls. About the oddest bill proposed this year was one to designate a state rock, but it was killed.

BOISE – It wasn’t just in Idaho that state lawmakers ventured onto unusual ground this year, attempting to unilaterally nullify a federal law, debating allowing guns on college campuses and nearly cutting off unemployed Idahoans from receiving extended unemployment benefits on grounds that the benefits will make them lazy.

Montana lawmakers backed a bill to let local sheriffs stop federal law enforcement officers from making arrests in their counties, though the governor vetoed it. They also debated measures to legalize hunting with a hand-thrown spear and declare global warming “beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana.”

Florida legislators outlawed droopy pants on schoolkids that show their underwear. Illinois made it legal to pick up road-killed animals for food or fur, saying it’ll clean up the roads...

Oh, there's more. Read it here: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/22/a-capitol-year-for-odd-ideas/?print-friendly

*****