Bleak. Dismal. Gloomy. Difficult. Really, really tough. That’s how Idaho state legislators and officials are describing the legislative session ahead, with state revenues slipping, budget cuts bringing cries of outrage from some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, and the governor’s much-vaunted but stalled effort…
A rare Sunday session of the U.S. Senate today brought promising news for the Owyhee Initiative, according to sponsor Sen. Mike Crapo, in the form of a strong 66-12 procedural vote on a larger bill containing the wilderness measure. The initiative is tucked into an…
Condemned murderer Joseph Duncan has been transferred to U.S. Penitentiary at Terre Haute, Ind. that houses the federal Death Row, but Riverside County, Calif. still is working to bring the killer there to try him in another case. “There is some paperwork that we need…
Here's a link to my full story on today's brouhaha over Idaho's priorities for federal stimulus money. The Dover Bridge on U.S. Highway 2 in North Idaho has width and height restrictions and a lowered speed limit because of its condition, and Popular Mechanics dubbed…
Gov. Butch Otter and legislative leaders say looming budget cuts will color the upcoming legislative session. "This is not the year to have a wish list," said House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star. Otter told reporters at the AP's legislative forum in Boise today that…
Sen. Brad Little has vacated his leadership position as majority caucus chairman in the state Senate, now that he's the state's new lieutenant governor. Already, senators are jockeying to replace him in that GOP leadership role. Senate President Pro-tem Bob Geddes said three names he's…
Here are the six projects ITD recommended stimulus funding go to (not in any particular priority order), ahead of the Dover Bridge project:1. U.S. 93, Twin Falls, new alternate route. $51 million2. U.S. 95, Moscow mountain, add passing lanes. $5 million3. U.S. 95, Whitebird grade,…
Idaho's Transportation Board - faced with a staff recommendation to make replacement of the deterioriated Dover Bridge a top priority for federal stimulus funds - instead dropped the project to No. 7 on its list in a special meeting yesterday, with only six projects likely…
Idaho Sen. Larry Craig now says he's dropping his attempt to appeal his conviction in an airport bathroom sex sting in Minnesota, according to the Associated Press. Here's the AP news item:MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A lawyer for former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig says they won't…
Washington Post columnist David Broder has an interesting column today focusing on new Idaho Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick. "Every new member has his own story. Walt Minnick's is more unusual than most," Broder writes. "For one thing, he is only the second Democrat to hold…
Here's an example of the gloomy economic news that the Legislature's joint Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee is receiving as it holds two days of hearings on the state's economic outlook: Jane Wittmeyer, vice president of Idaho affairs for the Intermountain Forest Association, said,…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has signed a pledge to join T. Boone Pickens' campaign to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. “One of my goals as Governor is to fully utilize Idaho’s resources to increase our own state’s energy supply,” Otter said. “Establishing energy security…
Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, will send a stand-in for the start of the legislative session on Monday as he rests up from the latest phase of his brain cancer treatment before resuming his full-time legislative duties. "It is hard to know all the…
Here's a link to my full story in today's Spokesman-Review on why the governor and other top state officials can't reject their scheduled pay raises. It stretches back to a state constitutional requirement aimed at preventing partisan politicians from eliminating salaries for their political opponents,…
Gov. Butch Otter's decision to turn down a scheduled 3 percent pay raise this year has run into an unexpected roadblock: An Idaho Attorney General's opinion has concluded that he can't do it. In response to a request from a state legislator, the AG's office…
Shortly after Gov. Butch Otter's press conference announcing his appointment of Brad Little as lieutenant governor, the governor swore Little in, in a brief ceremony in the governor's office. He's now on the job, pending confirmation by the Senate. Otter said Little got a particularly…
Brad Little, 54, Idaho's new lieutenant governor, is a five-term state senator from Emmett. He's a University of Idaho graduate, owner/manager of a cattle ranch and farm, has served on many boards including the Idaho Community Foundation and the Idaho Woolgrowers Association, and is a…
As a former lieutenant governor, Gov. Butch Otter today couldn't resist a little joshing about his former job as he announced his appointee for the post, Brad Little. Otter said he made his pick from among "a terrific group of people that were willing to…
So why would it be that a top priority for Gov. Butch Otter in his selection of a new lieutenant governor was a candidate who would run for that office in two years? Otter said that was key. There had been some speculation that the…
Jim Risch, who took office as a U.S. senator today, had this statement on the appointment of Brad Little to his former job, lieutenant governor of Idaho:“I am very pleased with the selection of Brad Little as my successor to the office of Lt. Governor.…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter made big political news just now with his announcement of his pick for the state's new lieutenant governor: Sen. Brad Little, R-Emmett. Little is a rancher and Senate majority caucus chairman. "Nobody understands the issues, the personalities or the possibilities better…
Outgoing U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said Monday that he's already had discussions with his successor, Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, and he promised a "smooth transition" at the Department of the Interior. "The president made it very clear in the cabinet meeting that we had…
He's not telling. Among the many questions Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne received from the audience at the Boise City Club/Idaho Environmental Forum today was what nickname President George W. Bush had for Kempthorne as a member of his cabinet. After much laughter, including plenty from…
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, former governor of Idaho, U.S. Senator and mayor of Boise, gave what he said was likely his last formal speech as interior secretary today, speaking to a large audience at a forum sponsored by the City Club of Boise and the…
Under the budget Gov. Butch Otter is crafting to present to state lawmakers, Idahoans next year would face longer waits for state services, some state field offices would be open just four days a week, and about 100 state workers would face layoffs. With the…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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