Briefs March 22, 2011
Challenge to match food bank giving
March and April is a great time to donate to the Post Falls Food Bank and Community Action Partnership in Coeur d'Alene because matching funds are at stake.
The Feinstein Foundation has $1 million that it will share nationwide with nonprofits fighting hunger.
Every dollar or food item donated to the food bank in March and April will help the agency secure a share of the $1 million.
Information: 777-0319, 664-8757
Jam 4 Cans is set for March 26
STATELINE - "Jam 4 Cans" for snowboarders, skiers and "kids who love to sled," is scheduled 6:30 p.m. March 26.
The event's goal is to raise funds for charities and promote community awareness of their needs.
Last year's Jam saw more than 60 riders and hundreds of spectators. More than 500 cans of food were collected and $500 raised for ElderHelp and Project Safe Place.
Jam 4 Cans will include music, food, tattoos, contests, a sledding ramp for kids, games and prizes. It is at Summit Northwest Ministries, 8311 N Idaho Road, Newman Lake, Wash. This is about a third of a mile west of Stateline.
Info: (509) 995-7232
Nullification bid revived with bill
BOISE (AP) - Proponents of nullifying the federal health care overhaul in Idaho have revived their push after a previous bid failed in the Senate earlier this session.
Led by Rep. Vito Barbieri, a Coeur d'Alene Republican, this new effort focuses on blocking "discretionary provisions" in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - those portions of the federal law not specifically required or which don't take effect before June 30, 2012.
Barbieri introduced this new gambit Monday in the House Ways and Means Committee, winning a 4-3 party line vote.
Now, he hopes to convince GOP colleagues that this new measure is constitutional.
He's already won at least one convert: Sen. Curt McKenzie, who voted against the first bill, is a co-sponsor of this latest measure.
Democrats oppose revival of this issue.
Lawmakers seek tougher gang laws
BOISE (AP) - Lawmakers advanced a bill Monday to expand Idaho's list of gang-related crimes and allow judges to issue tougher sentences for convicted gang members.
The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the legislation aimed at discouraging gang membership. The measure now moves to the full Senate for debate.
The legislation would add at least 11 more crimes to the state's criminal gang enforcement statute, said Jim Tibbs with the Idaho Criminal Justice Commission.
The statute would be expanded to include crimes committed in prisons, such as riots, and attempts to escape or rescue prisoners.
Sexual abuse, human trafficking and street crimes such as graffiti could also be prosecuted under the legislation.
"These are crimes that have really become those types of crimes that are very dangerous as well as extremely offensive," Tibbs said.
Supporters of the legislation say it would also fill holes in Idaho's current Criminal Gang Enforcement Act by increasing punishments for gang-related crimes. Under the measure, people convicted of the gang-related activity could face up to five years in prison.
Any crime that is determined to benefit or enhance a gang is eligible for the penalty enhancement.
Ellie Somoza, Canyon County's deputy prosecutor who often deals with gang-related cases, said the current two-year punishment for gang crimes is not enough.
"Prosecutors were more likely to use this enhancement if it did carry a greater penalty, and also for the deterrent effect to gang members, Somoza said.