Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted today to override a Presidential Veto concerning the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations conference Report. This legislation contained funding for several Idaho projects including money for the International Special Olympics and the Boise Detox Center. In order to override a Presidential veto, a two-thirds majority is necessary. This attempt to override the President’s veto failed with a vote of 277-141.
 
The vetoed bill contained $8 million for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. According to the organizers of the Games, holding the event in Idaho will require at least $28 million in total contributions, with the federal government’s share representing just a portion of the total needs. The event will attract more than 3,000 athletes from over 100 nations to compete in seven Winter Olympic-type sporting events. This will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the state of Idaho.
 
“While the International Special Olympics is being held in Idaho, it is our entire nation that will be represented,” said Simpson. “In the past when these events were held in the United States, federal funding has always been made available. I will continue working closely with my colleagues to secure this much needed funding in order to help Idaho host the 2009 Games.”
 
Another key project that was killed is the Community Detox Center; United Way of Treasure Valley. It is a proposed facility for 24-hour medically monitored alcohol and drug sobering station and 36-bed detox center for indigent patients treated by professionals. The bill contained $400,000 for this much needed project.
 
“The Treasure Valley’s rapid growth demonstrates an immediate need for the Community Detox Center,” said Simpson. “We need facilities like this in order to keep our communities safe and a great place to live. I am hopeful we can resolve the issues before Congress and get these funding bills passed into law.”
 
Other Idaho Items in the Conference Report include:

• The Literacy Matters! Program
• The Idaho Caring Foundation Dental Project
• The St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Project
• The Children’s Home Society of Idaho Bridge Project for Foster Children 
• The College of Idaho (Albertson College) Library Technology Upgrades
• Northwest Nazarene University New Nursing Facility Equipment.
• The Children’s Health Services Expansion; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center.
• SySTEMic Solution: Plant Early for STEM Learning (science, technology, engineering, & math
• The Discovery Center of Idaho.
• Teton Valley Hospital Revitalization Project
• Advanced Clinical Simulation
• College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Program
• Cooperative Telehealth Network at Portneuf Medical Center.  
• Franklin County Medical Center 
• The Idaho Women Work!  program
• Madison County Memorial Hospital Revitalization Project.
• The University of Idaho Gateway to Math
• The North Idaho Rural Health
• Lewis-Clark State College American Indian Students in Leadership of Education
• Gritman Medical Center Information Technology Upgrades