BOISE - State legislators point to six issues that must be resolved before they adjourn the 2008 Idaho Legislature.

Seven if you count April Fools' Day on Tuesday.

"You'd have a heyday there, wouldn't you?" House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, joked after assuring lawmakers couldn't end for that exact reason. "We could've been done (Friday) but we've still got some things to get done. The key there is we're close."

Despite the death Thursday of any agreement on new transportation money - what many called the main issue of the session - the Legislature will meet again Monday.

Negotiating and compromising - plus plenty of arguing â€"- have prevented adjournment. Lawmakers, who this year offered closure dates perhaps as often as new bills are introduced, are aiming for Wednesday.

"Any minute before would be a bonus," said House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley.

Of the six issues, two remain in the Senate, three in the House and one needs sign-off from both chambers. Lawmakers caution that while some issues have passed the other chamber over a week, neither leadership team is holding bills hostage.

"I do not have any work on the floor left to do," said Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls. "It is getting all the legislation processed and ready to vote on."

The key matters of business include:

• Substance abuse treatment funding. After Otter vetoed $16.8 million for substance abuse treatment - saying it wasn't justified - the Senate responded with an override. The next day, Otter line-item vetoed money for legislators' computers.

The House chose not to override the veto, and is crafting a compromise with Otter that leadership described as "90 percent" of the original amount. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will meet Tuesday.

"The single most important issue remaining time-wise is drug and alcohol treatment dollars," said Davis.

• Constitutional amendment regarding local option taxes. It would cement a two-thirds voter approval for any local-option sales tax and set the same minimum in only counties or cities where such a taxing district is proposed.

As an amendment, which passed the House, it needs two-thirds, or 24 of 35 senators to approve it. But passage is uncertain. The seven Democrats oppose it, two Republicans opposed it in committee, and two others, including Sen. Chuck Coiner, R-Twin Falls, said they're against it.

A trailer bill, which lets cities and counties enact local-option taxes of up to 1 percent, passed the House on Friday. Both issues will be voted on Monday, said Davis.

• Constitutional amendment regarding local governments. The bill, pushed by counties and cities, would allow municipalities and public hospitals to incur debt in select instances. The plan is in response to an Idaho Supreme Court decision.

The bill passed the Senate over a week ago, but some House members said they dislike some provisions. Bedke said Thursday it's "got a pulse" and House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, said it will get a hearing Monday.

• Reformed medical benefits for retired state workers. The bill would drop state coverage for retirees 65 and older and require them to use Medicare. It would decrease the state's medical liability from $442 million to $136 million, but provide better benefits, according to lead sponsor Coiner.

The bill passed the Senate more than a week ago, but Moyle said it could be heard Monday or Tuesday. House Commerce and Human Resources Chairman Bob Schaeffer, R-Nampa, said he has a "weak coalition" on his panel to pass it with some amendments.

• Personal property tax. The House has before it an amended bill to repeal the tax businesses hate to pay. On Thursday, the Senate, citing a slumping economy and tight budget, unanimously agreed to changes that exempt 86 percent of Idaho businesses from paying taxes on the first $75,000 of items from office equipment.

The original version sought to gradually eliminate the tax over five years beginning in 2010 as long the state's general fund grew 5 percent annually. By 2015, the entire tax would be cut, whatever the size.

The original bill barely survived the House, passing 39 to 31, and sponsor Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry President Alex LaBeau has said he's against the new one.

"Now he's just working for the Microns, Union Pacific and the big boys," said Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, who said he's comfortable with the amended version.

Bedke, who voted against the original bill, said he's unsure how it'll fare in the House.

• Modified open primaries. A bill that would create a modified open primary election also allows for a party to conduct and pay for its own private election, including a closed caucus.

The bill, which Democrats oppose, has waited several days for a vote and would still need to pass the House. Davis, who has said he likes the current election system in Idaho, said he's unsure if it will be voted on.

Despite the looming issues, some wouldn't mind ending before Wednesday - even Monday or Tuesday.

"April Fools' is almost fitting," said House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum. "We didn't get much accomplished."

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