Right To Farm Enhanced

Republican legislators powered a farming-rights bill through the House, casting aside objections from Democrats who said it could block local government planners to determine the character of their communities. The vote Thursday was 57-11 to help farms, feedlots and other agriculture-related operations to expand without fear of neighbors' challenges. It also underscores the continuing power of ag in Idaho politics. Rep. Gayle Batt, an interim GOP lawmaker from southwestern Idaho, says Idaho has "folks moving out into the country that don't understand the basic necessities" of why farmers in some instances need to fire up their tractors and other equipment at night. Democratic Rep. Phylis King of Boise contends this will interfere with local control, while Rep. Bill Killen argued it extends beyond farming activities to include industrial installations. Coming up at 8:05 this morning on Top Story we will get your opinion on the bill.