Northern Idaho lawmakers opposing a bill to fund three mental health crisis centers is part of the reason Coeur d'Alene didn't get a $1.5 million behavioral-health crisis center.
Information obtained by the Coeur d'Alene Press through a public records request shows that a committee gave the city a higher score than winner Idaho Falls.
But criteria also included lawmaker support, which the center attained in eastern Idaho.
State officials last month announced Idaho Falls as the site for the center that will treat mentally ill people whose symptoms often land them in jail.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter spokesman Jon Hanian says the center's success will depend on it having local legislative champions.
Boise was also in the running but had lawmakers who opposed the health crises centers.