Consider it a litmus test. A very expensive litmus test. This week’s special legislative session gave Idahoans a perfect opportunity to see which Gem State legislators are fully engaged in reality and which ones live in nah-nah land.
It’s not often a single vote can distinguish between thoughtful individuals and people who believe the earth is 6,000 years old, global warming is fake and America is a communist country controlled by a fascist dictator. But the vote over the child support bill did just that.
It passed the Idaho Senate 33-2, which means five percent of Idaho Senators have lost the battle for lucidity. But in the House, it passed 49-21, which means a full 30 percent of House members aren’t all there — if you know what I mean.
Where does this fanaticism come from? It’s pretty obvious.
The Unhinged — all legislators voted against the child support bill
- District 2 – Reps. Barbieri, Redman and Sen. Regan (in for Vick)
- District 7 – Reps. Shepherd, McMillan and Sen. Nuxoll
The Nuts — both House members voting against the bill
- District 1 – Reps. Dixon and Scott
- District 3 – Reps. Cheatham and Mendive
- District 20 – Reps. Holtzclaw and Palmer
The Kooky — one House member voting against the bill
- District 4 – Rep. Sims
- District 8 – Rep. Gestrin
- District 9 – Rep. Boyle
- District 14 – Rep. Moyle
- District 21 – Rep. Harris
- District 22 – Rep Monks
- District 23 – Rep. Nielsen
- District 26 – Rep. Miller
- District 28 – Rep. Andrus
- District 34 – Rep. Nate
Ada and Canyon counties
Of the 39 lawmakers who represent these two counties only six House members voted against child support: Reps. Batt, Moyle, Holtzclaw, Palmer, Harris and Monks. That’s a rate of 15 percent. Not great, but not bad.
