Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark says the state's conflict of interest laws need strengthening, citing yesterday's vote-change that killed a tobacco bill, by a senator whose husband is a tobacco lobbyist. The senator, Melinda Smyser, said her vote had nothing to do with her…
After a long hearing this afternoon, the House Environment Committee has voted 6-5 to kill HB 591, a proposal from Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa, that opponents said would "gut" the legislation passed two years ago to address the Treasure Valley's air quality. Rep. Eric Anderson,…
Idaho spent $7 million to house offenders in prison from Jan. 1, 2007 to Sept. 14, 2009 who actually could have been out on parole, according to a new report from the Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluations, which found that delays - some linked to…
HJR 5, the second constitutional amendment regarding governmental indebtedness, has passed the House on a 57-12 vote, well above the two-thirds mark needed. This measure deals with indebtedness of public airports; it now moves to the Senate. Constitutional amendments require two-thirds votes in each house…
The House has voted unanimously, 69-0, in favor HB 544, the measure from House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, to set up a "higher education stabilization fund" to ease state colleges and universities through future economic downturns. There's not much to go in the…
Here are some more highlights of Gov. Butch Otter's talk this morning to the Idaho Press Club:AIR QUALITY: The governor said he opposes Rep. Steve Kren's legislation - which is up for a committee hearing this afternoon - to gut air quality legislation requiring vehicle…
Gov. Butch Otter said he was prompted to write his recent guest opinion slamming press coverage of his budget proposals because "I would like to see some compassion, maybe that's the word I'm looking for," he said. "This is a tough, tough position to be…
Gov. Butch Otter says the $71.3 million in Millenium Fund money that's now being squirreled away as a hedge against future drops in the federal match for Medicaid is something he'd like the flexibility to spend starting in June, if it's not needed for Medicaid.…
Gov. Butch Otter says he supports the 1 percent COLA for state retirees, which the House tried to block before its move was halted by the Senate yesterday. "Let me say that Don Drum and Jody Olson and that entire board I think are very…
Gov. Butch Otter is giving his annual talk to the Idaho Press Club this morning, and his first focus has been on the budget. "Obviously it's been difficult, obviously with the moving target that we've had on the budget numbers, it's been an uncertain process…
Urban renewal agencies in Idaho could face sweeping changes under the seven bills now being reviewed by a legislative subcomittee, reports Ben Botkin of the Twin Falls Times-News; his article today takes a look at the potential changes, many of which are aimed at boosting…