ASUI frustrated with lack of support for King Road security funds 

ASUI members express their gratitude to the Idaho legislators that passed House Bill 222 to aid the University of Idaho with the cost of security.  

HB 222 was signed into law by Governor Brad Little and allocated funding for UI to cover security expenses incurred  after the King Road murders.  

ASUI President Tanner McClain was grateful for the bill’s passage as it benefited the students to have peace of mind and support for counseling. 

However, McClain did speak about the representatives that voted against this bill and what it meant to the community.  
“I’m angry and severely disappointed at legislators who voted against this bill, especially the representatives who voted against it, who are from North Idaho and indirectly represented families of the victims,” McClain said. “I do believe in a government practicing fiscal responsibility, but the vote against this legislation was absurd and a failure of representation.” 

There were 14 representatives and eight senators that voted against this bill, a partisan divide. 

Sen. Martha Smith spoke more of the importance of this resolution. 

“November 13 was one of the most jarring terrifying days most of our lives to varying degrees we experience on the worst days we’ve ever had students and I would argue on the worst day University of Idaho has ever experienced,” Smith said.  

Smith hoped, if the day comes, that the ASUI senators would lead with more humility than what has been seen in the state’s politics.  

“I hope one day each of us can act like a true adult when given the opportunity,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, we cannot say the same of the Idaho Legislature.” 

Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DVR_Tweets