Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, persuaded the Senate Judiciary Committee today to introduce legislation prompted by the case of a 3-year-old St. Maries child whose severe abuse cost her both feet, a finger and a kidney, but whose abuser got just 10 years in prison, the…
Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick has announced that he'll refrain from seeking any earmarks in Congress in 2010, just as he did in 2009. He's the only one in Idaho's four-member congressional delegation who refrains from the earmark process, which lawmakers use to send federal money…
Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene, talks with members of the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force at "Idaho Hunger Awareness Day" in the fourth-floor Statehouse rotunda today; fifteen hunger relief and nutrition groups from around the state are presenting displays and information about fighting hunger. They're…
To cope with additional budget cuts that loom this year, University of Idaho President Duane Nellis says the university is "looking seriously at the possibility of a furlough," and is examining a scaled approach, in which lower-paid workers would see less furlough, but higher-paid employees…
John Hammel, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho, said deep cuts loom in extension funding. Responding to a question from Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, however, he bristled at a contention in a recent Lewiston Tribune editorial that…
Legislative budget writers were very keen this morning to ask about the University of Idaho's net asset balances, which reports show at $38 million to $40 million. "How much of that unrestricted assets could be used in economic difficulties like we're in now, in order…
University of Idaho President Duane Nellis said the U of I has seen $22 million in budget cuts just in the past two years, and that doesn't count additional ones lawmakers are now mulling, or the elimination of $10 million for a dairy research center…
Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, has announced that he'll retire after this year, after serving 14 years in the state House of Representatives. Clark, who is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he feels he's accomplished his goals. Seven years ago, in 2003,…
Dene Thomas, president of Lewis-Clark State College, told lawmakers, "Our goal is to train and educate productive citizens," and said, "We are an engine for economic development in north-central Idaho." Furthermore, she said, "We are the most affordable four-year college or university in Idaho." The…
Many of lawmakers' questions to State Board of Education President Paul Agidius focused on concern over rising costs for students to attend college in Idaho. But Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, asked him, "Earlier this year the board approved what I would consider significant salary increases…
Paul Agidius, president of the State Board of Education, is kicking off a week of education budget hearings by addressing JFAC on behalf of the board. His pitch: Cuts hurt, more will hurt more, and education can help lead the state out of the recession.…
Idaho is discovering the hidden costs of budget cuts, as major cutbacks in the state budget threaten to cost more than they'll save. One example: The $1.6 million the state would save by cutting off funding for Idaho Public Television may be less than the…
Here’s a link to the second week of Idaho’s legislative session in pictures, as a slide show. Let your cursor hover over the bottom part of the picture frame, and the captions will appear as the slide show plays. Also, on Idaho Public Television’s "Idaho…
Here's a link to my full story on the Human Rights Commission's announcement that it may move to the state Department of Labor as its state funds are cut - Labor receives no state general funds - and here's a link to my full story…
Both the House and Senate Republicans held closed-door caucuses today to talk numbers. The House GOP caucus, which lasted about half an hour, focused on the new revenue recommendation from the Joint Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee, according to Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke,…
Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, says she thinks lawmakers should consider cutting their own health benefits just as the state has cut health coverage for other part-time state employees. "We ought to have that discussion - I don't think we should shy away from it," Keough…
Don Weilmunster, president of the Idaho Parks Foundation, sat off to the side as Gov. Butch Otter and Parks Director Nancy Merrill announced their new plan for state parks - which won't include eliminating the state parks department. Weilmunster said he's relieved. The foundation was…
"We will have the same parks and we will be open. Our service levels may drop a bit," state Parks Director Nancy Merrill said. The plan just announced by Merrill and Gov. Butch Otter calls for taking $2 million from RV registration funds, $1.4 million…
Gov. Butch Otter and state Parks Director Nancy Merrill have announced a plan to save $4.5 million at the state parks department next year - but not to eliminate it. "We will remain the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, by changing our management philosophy…
David Brasuell, head of the state Division of Veterans Services, has plenty of fans at his budget presentation to lawmakers today - the room is packed with veterans. "We recognize your daunting task of setting a budget in these difficult times," Brasuell told lawmakers. Veterans…
The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs was established in 1987 by the Legislature "as an independent entity of state government," Margie Gonzales, executive director, told JFAC at the commission's budget hearing this morning. The commission's core functions are to advise the governor, Legislature and state…
Former State Sen. Robbie Barrutia, interim director of the State Independent Living Council, is now presenting the budget for that council, which, like the Human Rights Commission, has been proposed by Gov. Butch Otter for a four-year phase-out of state funding. "Idaho is one of…
Chief Deputy Director of the Idaho Department of Labor John McAllister says the Department of Labor has been eyeing two funds, one that comes from penalty and interest payments from employment law violators and can be tapped by the state Board of Examiners, and another…
Pam Parks, director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission told legislative budget writers that when Idaho passed the Idaho Human Rights Act, which the commission enforces, "Idaho made a clear and strong declaration that we will not tolerate discrimination." She noted that the state's reputation…
There's a packed house at JFAC this morning, where budget hearings are scheduled for three agencies for which Gov. Butch Otter has proposed phasing out all state general funds over the next four years. Under questioning just now, Wayne Hammon, the governor's budget director, said,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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