More heat: Idaho GOP chairman says party’s opposition to health exchange...
Idaho Republican Party Chairman Barry Peterson reminded the 85 Republicans in the 105-member Legislature that the party’s State Central Committee has voted to oppose GOP Gov. Butch Otter’s push for a...
View ArticleCollege scholarship makeover heads to Idaho House
The Senate has approved a $5.9 million makeover of the state’s college scholarship system. Senate Bill 1027 would move this money into an expanded Opportunity Scholarship program, a $3,000-a-year...
View ArticleOtter: Let me be clear, I was not lobbying in 2006
Gov. Butch Otter told me this morning there’s been some confusion about whether he lobbied legislators to go slow on authorizing GARVEE debt for highway construction on a visit to the Idaho Capitol as...
View ArticleTuesday night public forum features Boise Bench lawmakers
District 17′s three lawmakers will take questions from the public from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Horizon Elementary School libraray, 730 N Mitchell St. in Boise. The three Democrats — Sen. Elliot Werk,...
View ArticleBoise Bench legislators to hold public forum Tuesday
Legislators from Boise’s District 17, Sen. Elliot Werk and Reps. Sue Chew and John Gannon, will hold a public forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the library at Horizon Elementary School, 730...
View Article16 Idaho House GOP freshmen endorse Otter health exchange, with new ‘trailer’...
A bill intended to add to Gov. Butch Otter’s Senate Bill 1042 by strengthening legislative oversight has won a key block of votes for the most controversial measure of the 2013 session. A “trailer”...
View ArticleBoise: District 19 legislators hold town hall meeting Feb. 19
Legislators from District 19, Boise’s North End, will hold a town hall meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at North Junior High School, 1105 N 13th St. in Boise. District 19 legislators...
View ArticleState Lands experts say Idaho could turn profit with federal land transfer
Idaho could net $51 million to $75 million annually if it convinced the federal government to turn over 16,400,000 acres of federal public land to the state. That’s the conclusion of State Management...
View ArticleHey Mabel! Did that motorcycle have four wheels?
It looks like Mariann Christman will soon be back on her four-wheeled motorcycle as the Idaho Legislature moves to allow four-wheeled bikes on the road. “There are many others waiting for this bill...
View ArticleBoise bench lawmakers to hold office hours Tuesday evening
The three Boise Bench Democrats will be at Borah High School Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A news release follows: Boise’s District 17 Democrats Host Office Hours BOISE –District 17 Democratic...
View ArticleIdaho Legislature will now archive audio and video of its work
The Legislative Council voted unanimously Friday morning to archive the digital records of the 2013 Legislature, reports Betsy Russell in her Eye on Boise blog. The Council, which governs joint...
View ArticleA big hearing on Idaho’s K-12 budget: a preview …
Week Nine of the 2013 Legislature begins with a big hearing: On Monday morning, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will tackle the public schools budget. With that comes, perhaps, some answers...
View ArticleGo Zags! Capitol’s small cadre of Gonzaga fans celebrate No. 1 ranking
The news that the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team earned it’s first No. 1 ranking ever brought smiles to several faces at the Idaho Statehouse Monday morning. Among them was Sen. Sheryl...
View Article‘Speedy Reedy’ retains go-cart championship for Idaho House
Despite the elevation of a former member to the “upper chamber,” the Idaho House defended its claim to the fastest chamber under the Capitol Dome with House Education Committee Chairman Reed...
View ArticleMr. Speaker, I resemble that remark
A light moment from Tuesday’s lengthy debate on House Bill 206, which would provide facilities money to charter schools. The bill passed, 42-27, with opponents saying the state couldn’t afford to incur...
View ArticleState Board of Ed noncommittal on charter bills
A controversial charter school bill passed the House Tuesday. But late Tuesday afternoon, the State Board of Education opted not to vote. The board decided not to endorse or oppose House Bill 206,...
View ArticleIdaho education — and Uncle Sam’s funding role
Idaho schools landed on an unenviable Top 5 list this week. The Pew Charitable Trusts ranked Idaho among the five states most vulnerable to mandatory federal budget cuts — better known in the political...
View ArticleContrite lobbyist amends Idaho bill banning teen tanning, removes misdemeanor...
A bill banning those younger than 16 from tanning booths and requiring in-person parental consent for 16- and 17-year-olds was abruptly withdrawn before a scheduled public hearing and replaced with a...
View ArticleIdaho health exchange hearing begins with homage to civility, moves to talk...
House and Welfare Committee Chairman Fred Wood invoked President Lincoln’s memory Thursday in urging calm and respect on the hot-button issue of the year, GOP Gov. Butch Otter’s push for a state-based...
View ArticlePersonal Property Tax 101: the stakes for education
Thursday marks a pivotal day in the 2013 Idaho Legislature, with the first public discussion of a bill to repeal personal property taxes. So this is a good time for Personal Property Tax 101 — a...
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