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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Urban renewal hearing set for Wed. morning

Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers have scheduled a hearing on Wednesday morning for a bill aimed at reforming the state's urban renewal laws, first passed 45 years ago to help cities improve blighted areas and boost economic development. Existing districts fear some of the 26-page bill's proposed changes could hamper their ability to sell bonds for their projects by triggering a requirement for them to ask voters first. Meanwhile, urban renewal agency critics say the measure falls short of boosting public oversight of districts they believe horde their cash to help them expand beyond their original purposes. Rep. Scott Bedke, a Republican from Oakley, conceded that it may not be possible to make everybody happy. Bedke says, "You've got to let the dogs bark, but at some point, you've got to let the caravan move on."
On the Net:
— For HB 672 http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/H0672.htm



Eye On Boise

News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.