BOISE - As the 2008 Legislature limps towards the finish line, a handful of issues remain on the table.

Children, though, aren't invited to the table.

For the second straight year, efforts sought at improving education for young kids have fallen victim to the political process, often rejected by committee chairmen. Lawmakers point to the power with committee chairmen and philosophical differences as ongoing roadblocks.

"People here aren't representative of Idahoans," said House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum. "These people are older. They don't have kids in day care. They haven't been to schools in a long time, so these bills don't get a lot of traction."

Among the failed legislation, all bi-partisan:

• Senate Bill 1406, a start of voluntary pilot program for pre-kindergarten that would cost $150,000 next year. The program, intended to eventually expand statewide, is for 4-year-old kids. It stalled in committee.

• House Bill 551, which would allow 5-year-olds to enter first grade if they finished kindergarten outside Idaho or at an in-state private school. Currently, students have to wait until they are 6 years old. The bill - with an estimated cost of $10,000 - never received a hearing.

• Senate Bill 1404, which would allow schools to offer pre-kindergarten programs to 4-year-olds if voters approve the programs. There are 37 districts that do so already. The bill remains in the Senate amending order.

• Senate Bill 1376, with 14 co-sponsors, would tighten regulation on day cares of at least four children by requiring background checks, health inspections and restrictions of drug use. It received a hearing but was not voted on.

Lawmakers who helped draft and sponsor the bills said they aren't surprised by the result, and are hopeful that over time change will come.

"Primarily, it's because people view that as taking something away from the family," said Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, who co-sponsored some of the bills. "There's nothing wrong with having a good, sound family to raise children. The problem is there have been a lot of families that don't meet that criteria."

Other times, bills can fall victim to political pandering.

House Education Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, said he never gave House Bill 551 a hearing because he felt the bill would force Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna to develop a new program.

The day care bill got a hearing in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, but the chairwoman didn't allow a vote, citing problems with the costs. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats, using a little-used Senate rule, unsuccessfully tried to bring it to the floor. Republicans killed the motion, citing respect and tradition of adhering to chairmen.

"Inaction by the Senate and this committee is failing to make progress for Idaho's children," said Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum.

The sole victory this session in pre-kindergarten, said Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, is an opinion from the attorney general's office to lawmakers that said school districts can use their own money to fund pre-kindergarten programs.

Schroeder said the next step remains using state money for pre-kindergarten programs, but conceded it might take 20 years. He is well aware of the belief among lawmakers that government-funded programs would adversely affect how children are raised.

"I think that is all a bunch of hooey," he said.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 420-8371 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.