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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A northern Idaho lawmaker's comment that she could go for days at a special session of the Legislature because she brought beef jerky has prompted a Washington state company to promise to send her a case.
"That is awesome," Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, told The Spokesman-Review (http://bit.ly/1AtMyK0 ) in a story on Sunday. "What a generous act of kindness."
The Idaho Legislature approved federally mandated child support rules last week, undoing a previous rejection Scott helped create as a House committee member last month.
Idaho's rejection in April — by one vote on the last day of the legislative session over fears it could subject the U.S. courts to rulings made elsewhere under Islamic law — threatened an international effort intended to make it easier for parents to receive funds. There are about 150,000 active international cases involving about $600 million annually in Idaho.
The refusal also would have cut the state's access to $46 million in federal funds and payment-processing systems that include payroll deductions, both of which were tied to the legislation.
That prompted Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to call lawmakers back to Boise for a special session on May 18.
At the special session Scott continued to oppose the legislation and tried to derail it again, asking many questions that slowed the process.
Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, serving as committee chairwoman during the special session, chastised Scott four hours into the gathering by noting it was time for lunch. "They're going to just give us bread and water here if we keep asking all these questions."
Scott responded: "Hey, I brought beef jerky, I'll go for days."
Oberto Brands in Seattle says that comment is worth a case of beef jerky.
"We thought it'd be fun to send her some, now that we know her love for beef jerky," said Courtney Roe, marketing coordinator for Oberto Brands in Kent, Washington. "I was thinking a case, so like eight bags. It'll be a couple different flavors."
Roe said the company has also sent beef jerky to a Seattle chef who said his favorite snack was beef jerky.
Constantino Oberto was one of company's founders in 1918 in Seattle. One of the company's pitch slogans is, "Oh boy, Oberto!"
A day after lawmakers approved the bill in the Idaho special session despite Scott's concerns, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill into law.
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com
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