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U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has tried for eight years to get his House counterpart from Idaho to support his bill to create three new wilderness areas in central Idaho. He finally got it Tuesday when Idaho's newest House member signed on.

Simpson, a Republican, and Democrat Walt Minnick introduced the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act on Tuesday, Minnick's first day as a member of the U.S. House.

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Across the nation, voters approved $7.3 billion in new spending for parks and open-space preservation. Sixty-two of the 87 referendums to acquire or otherwise protect open space were approved. And the support came in rural, Republican areas, as well as in those that lean toward the Democrats.