Lawmakers Say “No” to Senators Bill, But wish Her a Happy Birthday

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate, known for its adherence to decorum, killed a bill — and then cordially wished its sponsor "Happy Birthday." Republican Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll of Grangeville was pushing a plan to recognize volunteer emergency medical service providers with their own specialty Idaho license plate.

Nuxoll thought the bill would increase first-responders' presence in the community, give them better access to emergency scenes — and potentially help recruit new volunteers, whose numbers are falling. But senators have grown stingy about creating more of these specialty plates.

Sen. John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene was frank: "There are too many." So the chamber voted 20-15 to reject Nuxoll's plan. Minutes later, leaders pointed out Nuxoll was born on this date in 1951 — and encouraged senators to wish her a "Happy Birthday."