Headed into Day 114...
Here's a link to my full story on today's developments at the Idaho Legislature. Tomorrow will be Day 114 of the state's second-longest session ever.
Eye On Boise archive for May 4, 2009
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009
Guv: 'We'll be here 'til it's resolved' 5
Jon Hanian, press secretary for Gov. Butch Otter, said the governor stands ready to meet with lawmakers to resolve the impasse over transportation funding. "We've cleared the governor's schedule, he's got nothing on it," Hanian said. "From his perspective, we keep giving ground here. ...…
'Don't see that progress was made' 1
Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said Senate leaders met with the governor today at noon, but didn't meet with House leaders. "I don't see that there was progress made," he said heavily, as the 113th day of this year's legislative session drew near…
Rusche: 'You have to bend a little'
House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, had this response to the House GOP leaders' press conference today: "I think it's disappointing that the impasse is making such dysfunctional government. Who would've thought, with the governor and supermajorities (all of the same party), it's leading to…
House GOP: 'Simply not the time' 5
After a closed-door caucus, House GOP leaders called a press conference to declare that they still don't want to raise the gas tax, as Gov. Butch Otter has proposed. Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, said GOP leaders are concerned about the state's budget picture,…
Nonini: 'Not going to put up with that' 23
House Education Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, said he had no intention of showing up for today's Senate Education Committee hearing on his bill, HB 373. "The chairman knew last Wednesday night I wasn't coming," Nonini told Eye on Boise. "The issues have all been…
Senate panel kills House-only bills
The Senate Finance Committee has voted unanimously to kill 14 budget bills that were written by the House Appropriations Committee, then passed by the House, without going through the usual joint budget committee process. Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, cited two laws and several…
Double deja vu in the House
The House went into session and passed eight appropriation bills - all bills they were passing for the third time. The first time, they got vetoed by the governor. The second time, the bills had been cobbled together by the House Appropriations Committee without its…
Senate Ed kills HB 373 5
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Nonini, was a no-show, and the Senate Education Committee has killed his bill, HB 373. "I find it deplorable in many ways that Rep. Nonini would bring this forward, considering the circumstances that exist here," said Sen. Dick Sagness, D-Poctello.…
70 gather for 'Tea Party 2' 5
About 70 people have gathered in front of the steps of the Capitol Annex to protest against taxes, in what organizers dubbed "Tea Party II." The Rev. Bryan Fischer, in a press release, said, "The purpose of Tea Party II is to give ordinary Idaho…
'Hopefully we can make progress today' 1
The Senate has adjourned for the day, after amending two bills, and passing and sending to the governor 18 appropriation bills that had already passed the House. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said leadership will be meeting with the governor shortly. "Hopefully we…
Senate Ed to meet today 1
The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a meeting today at 1 p.m. to take up HB 373, a House-passed bill to phase out early teacher retirement incentives and make other education funding changes. The committee will meet in Room 204 of the Capitol Annex; Rep.…
Senate amends election reform bill
The Senate has amended HB 372, the election consolidation bill, to make a series of changes identified during a Senate State Affairs Committee meeting on Friday. Sen. Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, the bill's Senate sponsor, praised the amendments, which weren't controversial. "I think it's a great…
House members filtering back to Boise 1
House members are filtering in slowly this morning after their four-day weekend; House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said it may be "1-ish" before the House convenes today. Bedke said, "We'll go on the floor, and we'll see if there have been any bills…
Senate 'continuing to work'
The Senate is assembled and ready to go this morning, but is awaiting the amendments to HB 372, the new election consolidation bill, before starting. Amending that bill is among the items on senators' agenda for their morning session today. "We're continuing to try and…
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