The federal economic stimulus funds coming to Idaho include $44.8 million that are up to the discretion of the governor, to be used for anything from education to public safety to “other government services.” Here’s Otter’s recommendation for the money, which many had been eyeing:…
Gov. Butch Otter is endorsing the first-ever cuts in public schools funding in Idaho, saying the $1.24 billion in federal economic stimulus funds he’s decided to accept aren’t enough to stave off the cuts. Otter, who released his recommendations for taking the stimulus money late…
Gov. Butch Otter has released his recommendations for spending $1.24 billion in federal economic stimulus funds, including: $408,770,000 for health and welfare programs; $260,468,980 for public schools; $36,078,300 for higher education; $159,978,000 for unemployment benefits and workforce development; $61,894,000 for environmental quality projects; $200,334,100 for…
After intense debate, the House has voted 31-39 on HB 155a, Rep. Raul Labrador’s local vehicle-registration fee bill, killing the bill. “We have different needs around the state, and sometimes we need some local authority to take care of those needs,” Labrador told the House.…
Did you know that it was illegal – a misdemeanor – for any Idaho retailer to limit the quantity of a particular item to be sold to a customer, to any number lower than the entire number the retailer has? I sure didn’t. Apparently, no…
Here’s a news item from AP: “A push to reform Idaho's liquor license system that now doles out permits based on population-based quotas has won a Senate hearing, but some lawmakers fear time may be running out for such a complicated — and controversial —…
Lawmakers have taken their first formal action to spend federal stimulus money, as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted unanimously this morning to cut this year’s budget for public schools by $85.1 million, but immediately fill in the hole with an equal amount of federal stimulus…
Two House GOP leaders have hatched a plan to use $45 million from the federal economic stimulus to cut corporate tax rates, and floated the idea to IACI, Idaho Statesman political columnist Dan Popkey reports today. You can read his full report here. The plan,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
