House approves bill aimed at union contracts

BOISE (AP) — The Idaho House has approved a bill designed to free state and local government from requiring union labor on road, bridge or other public construction projects.

The bill that passed on a 54-14 vote Monday is a response to a 2011 law struck down in January by a federal judge.

That ruling prompted Senate lawmakers to try again, this time with changes they say will survive another legal challenge.

During House debate, Democrats said the bill isn't needed because Idaho is a right to work state and its workforce is less than 10 percent unionized.

But Republican Rep. Frank Henderson of Post Falls said the legislation would save taxpayer money on public works projects and protects the state from union-only contracts.

It now heads back to the Senate for approval.