What Has Happened and Can Happen for Fair Elections in Idaho
State Affairs Committee holds bill 1037 in Committee on February 2, 2007.
From the Senate State Affairs Committee on February 2, 2007
Click here for an ongoing analysis of why S1037 was held in the committee.
The committee action began:
Senator Langhorst presented S1037 which is called the Idaho Fair Election Act. He stated that the purpose of this bill is to increase voter participation, to strengthen public confidence in the democratic process, to encourage candidates to spend more time communicating with their constituents, and to focus on their jobs rather than raising money.
Sponsors of S1037 are: Clint Stennett, Kate Kelly, Mike Burkett, Edgar Malepeai, Elliot Werk, and Diane Bilyeu. Click each name to see where they get their money for election.
Here is their financial disclosure that the Secretary of State has for the Democrats who sponsored S1037: Stennett, Kelly, Burkett, Malepeai, Werk, and Bilyeu, Langhorst.
Here is the financial disclosure that the Secretary of State has for the Republicans who voted to hold S1037 in the committee:
Denton Darrington, Bart Davis, Robert Geddes, Joe Stegner, Brad Little, Michael Jorgenson, Joe McKenzie.
Click here to see where Senator Langhorst gets his money for election.
Click here to go to the committee minutes and decide for yourself if the arguments against Fair Elections make any sense.
Bart Davis argued against S1037. Click here and here to see where he gets his money for election.
Joe Stegner argued against S1037. Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Jorgensen made a motion to hold S1037 in committee. Click here to see where he gets his money for election. A vote Aye is a vote against S1037.
The roll call vote on the original motion was taken.
Senator Darrington - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Geddes - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Davis - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Stegner - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Little - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Jorgenson - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Stennett - Nay Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Malepeai - Nay Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator McKenzie - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS
February 2, 2007 - Minutes - Page 7
The motion passed to hold S1037 in committee.
Next is how it happened.
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Seven Republican Senators voted to hold S1037 in committee.
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Two Democrat Senators voted to send S1037 to the Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
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The committee minutes have the complete story.
Senator Langhorst commented that when Arizona first passed this legislation it was supported by 51% of the voters. Four years later the poll indicated that 65% approved, and the most recent poll indicates that only 18% of Arizona citizens oppose the public campaign method.
These individuals testified in support of S1037.
Jim Hansen, Executive Director, United Vision for Idaho
Reverend Betty Luginbill, retired citizen
Gary Allen, Attorney
Gloria Munoz, Idaho Hispanic Caucus
Dr. Calvin Leman, retired citizen
Reverend Ed Keener, Interfaith Alliance of Idaho
Bill Whitaker, National Association of Social Workers
Senator Langhorst summed up and stated we are talking about a system and we are all subject within it. The taxpayers are already paying for this, they just don’t own it. It is not about taxpayers paying for the election system, it is about taking it back and owning the system.
Senator Jorgensen made a motion to hold S1037 in committee and
Senator Stegner seconded the motion.
Senator Stennett made a substitute motion to send S1037 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Senator Malepeai seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the substitute motion of S1037 was requested by Senator Stennett.
Senator Darrington - Nay
Senator Geddes - Nay
Senator Davis - Nay
Senator Stegner - Nay
Senator Little - Nay
Senator Jorgenson - Nay
Senator Stennett - Aye
Senator Malepeai - Aye
Senator McKenzie - Nay
The substitute motion failed.
The roll call vote on the original motion was taken.
Senator Darrington - Aye
Senator Geddes - Aye
Senator Davis - Aye
Senator Stegner - Aye
Senator Little - Aye
Senator Jorgenson - Aye
Senator Stennett - Nay
Senator Malepeai - Nay
Senator McKenzie - Aye
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS
February 2, 2007 - Minutes - Page 7
The motion passed to hold S1037 in committee.