POST FALLS — North Idaho legislators did actually have a few other things to say on Saturday when they weren’t questioning Gov. Butch Otter’s attempt to “marginalize” their branch of state government.

Yes, that was the hot-button item at a town hall sponsored by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee.

But the largely supportive audience at the Post Falls Senior Center did get to hear about a few other subjects, as well.

The word “largely” was inserted into that previous sentence, because one gentleman rather combatively mentioned the picture and story that had run in The Press about an abused cat, and demanded to know why unborn fetuses — the victims of abortion — were not given the same lawful protection.

And outrage, for that matter.

After a few seconds of silence, Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, took a stab at restoring some calm by saying, “We understand your feelings, but it’s a difficult issue under state law.”

Surprisingly, that response seemed to take the steam out of what might have been a few heated replies by the audience member, and the legislators were left to toss out random thoughts on what had — and had not — been achieved by the 2017 Legislature.

The event was rather free-form, with each panelist given a few minutes to share his or her thoughts before questions were submitted from the audience.

And even then, several legislators mentioned bills they sponsored or approved, but were vetoed by the governor.

It was difficult for the conversation to get much traction without another shot being fired at the executive branch.

There was one other problem.

“In an 80-day session, there were 770 bills drafted,” said Rep. Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls, alluding to the impossibility of every issue getting a legitimate hearing. “It’s a good thing the 10 Commandments didn’t come up for a vote.”

Still, some legislators did manage to mention bills they were keen to support, such as the “American and Idaho Law” issue — basically barring any use of Islamic Sharia Law — that was co-sponsored by Rep. Eric Redman, R-Athol, and debated in the State Affairs Committee.

“I hope to bring that back next session,” Redman said.

Redman also mentioned he was keen on the repeal of the state’s grocery sales tax, which passed both houses with wide majorities — but which Gov. Otter is expected to veto today or Wednesday.

Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, was one of several panelists to mention education (K-12 funding was bumped 6 percent to $2.1 billion, all but $264 million of that from the state’s general fund).

“I am definitely a STEM advocate in our education,” Nonini said, referring to the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “You can’t just expect to accomplish anything by giving four weeks of it to fifth-graders.”

Nonini mentioned the advances made by the North Idaho Stem Charter Academy and reminded his colleagues, as well as the audience, that standing still in this area is not an answer.

“The advance of technology is phenomenal,” he said.

Almost everyone on the panel mentioned the Invasive Species bill, which would have added one state employee to be a liaison between the governor’s office and U.S. Department of Agriculture — primarily to help oversee protection against Quagga mussels which could threaten all Idaho lakes and waterways.

Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, was particularly upset that Gov. Otter vetoed the bill.

“Yes, we have check stations to look at boats coming into the state that may contain these mussels,” Mendive said. “But the stations aren’t open at 2 a.m., so drivers with boats can come right through.

“This isn’t just about Lake Coeur d’Alene, or even the entire state. We’re talking about the entire Columbia River system, and it’s just terribly dangerous.”

Besides the governor’s extensive veto list, the other subject on most legislators’ minds was education.

In the case of freshman Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, that meant giving cash-strapped rural school districts the right to share contracting agreements on projects common to each district.

“It passed the House, but didn’t get heard in the Senate,” Amador said, “but they’ve indicated they’re interested, so I’m hopeful on that.”

Amador, who sits on the Judiciary Committee along with Cheatham and Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, also addressed a proposed change to the state’s liquor licensing laws — a measure Malek championed throughout the session.

Malek missed Saturday’s event to attend a family function, but Amador said: “I think there’s agreement that the licensing system isn’t functioning properly, but fixing it is going to be complicated because no one wants to punish current license-holders.

“That issue isn’t going to go away, though. I’m sure it will keep coming up until something is done.”