House contends it beat Senate's exchange record
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Deeply divided over whether to adopt a state-based insurance exchange, members of the Idaho House probably agree on at least one thing: Their better-than-six-hour debate on the issue topped the 6-hour, 15-minute standard set by the Senate last month.
It only seemed like discussion Wednesday over Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's plan lasted forever.
At just before 4:45 p.m. -- roughly the moment when the House debate exceeded the Senate's marathon session from Feb. 21 -- Republican Rep. Steve Hartgen of Twin Falls promised not to debate until 6 p.m. against the bill.
That prompted House Speaker Scott Bedke to wonder when representatives risked topping the Senate's long-windedness.
Hartgen estimated the chamber had already won that battle.
Bedke wasn't disappointed, responding "Good."
Minutes later, the Senate's exchange debate mark was history.
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