Thread: Lawmakers send bill making Idaho's official language English

March 20, 2007
Lawmakers send bill making Idaho's official language English to governor

Otter has said he will sign legislation that critics call unnecessary, exclusionary
A bill to make English Idaho's official language passed the House on Monday.
The bill dictates that all official government business should be done in English, with certain exceptions for such things as education, public health and public safety.

The bill has already passed the Senate and awaits only the approval of Gov. Butch Otter, who has said he will sign it. All Treasure Valley Democrats and Caldwell Republican Bob Ring voted against the bill.

Proponents of the bill said it would save governments time and money and allow for clearer communication. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dell Reybould, R-Rexburg, said the bill "extends the hand of friendship to people who aren't speaking English."

Opponents said the bill was "exclusionary" and "unnecessary." Rep. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, said she had hoped more lawmakers would vote against the bill to make a statement against a recent flier distributed by College Republicans at Boise State University. The flier, promoting a speech by former Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez, offers "a food stamp drawing" that requires climbing through a hole in a fence and offering fake ID for a shot at winning dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.

"I think this is really awful timing," LeFavour said. "A lot of the members here were appalled by (the flier). They were obviously concerned, but not concerned enough to send a message."

Other lawmakers said they hoped the bill would encourage immigrants to learn English sooner upon arrival in Idaho.

"My parents made the same commitment that this bill states," said Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, whose parents emigrated from Holland to the U.S. "We are not trying to bar foreign languages from the classroom or from the home."

http://www.idahostatesman.com/244/story/76296.html

I say good, If you want to vote in Idaho you better speak English!!!

For those that do not know, (Rexburg Idaho is where the Television was invented) just a piece of trivia!!