BOISE -- A bill to end a pension perk that allows former Idaho lawmakers to hike their pensions by taking more-lucrative state appointments has been derailed, at least for now, on concern it would erode incentives to enter public service.
The House State Affairs Committee voted 14-5 on Wednesday against sending the measure to the full chamber.
Republican Rep. Dennis Lake of Blackfoot has touted his measure as a way of eliminating "unconscionable" special treatment.
But Rep. Brent Crane of Nampa contended the rewards for serving in the Legislature are already minimal, for a post that pays just $16,100 but often demands the attention of a full-time job.
Rep. Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls added that Lake's measure chips away at the edges of incentives that encourage citizens to run for office.
