As I first reported, earlier this year the City of Boise passed an anti-discrimination ordinance, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. Three other Idaho cities have considered the issue.
Sandpoint was actually the first city in the state to pass this type of ordinance on December 21, 2011 (Ordinance No. 1261). On April 1, 2013, the Moscow City Council passed Ordinance No. 2013 – 06, nearly identical to the Sandpoint and Boise ordinances.
On April 18, 2013, however, the City of Pocatello declined to follow suit. The vote was tied 3-3 until Mayor Brian Blad cast the deciding vote against the measure. Some of the concerns I mentioned in my article on Boise’s ordinance were echoed by the Pocatello City Council members who voted no. Among the chief concerns was the criminal penalty associated with a violation of the ordinance, with no private right of action by the person who experienced the discrimination. The Mayor’s comments on the night of the vote opened the door to modification of the ordinance for future consideration.