It's a pundit-o-rama on "Idaho Reports" tonight, as nearly half the hour-long show is devoted to a discussion in which I join Jim Weatherby, Dan Popkey, Corey Taule and host Greg Hahn to chew over the events of the week, from "Add The Words" to…
Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, has brought back his proposal from last year for a moratorium on new wind farms; the new version, introduced this morning in the House Local Government Committee, would impose a two-year moratorium. Simpson's bill last year proposed a moratorium until…
The Senate Resources Committee has voted to kill a resolution approving a new water right for a minimum lake level at Cocolalla Lake, and introduced a new measure to reject it. "There were some questions about it," said committee Chairman Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth. Brian…
Fifty-seven percent of ITD's snowplow drivers are eligible for food stamps, ITD Director Brian Ness told lawmakers this morning; the agency hasn't given its employees raises in the past four years. He said turnover is starting to be a big problem, and other states, including…
If Idaho continued its current spending level for fixing roads, $100 million per year, 28 percent of its pavement would be deficient in 10 years, ITD chief Brian Ness told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning, up from the current 13 percent. "Our forecast for…
ITD Director Brian Ness told legislative budget writers this morning that his agency has completed a realignment that was expected to take a year in just eight months, and it's resulted in $3.5 million in salary savings, while not eliminating anyone's job or cutting anyone's…
The Senate is beginning its annual Lincoln Day commemorative program, but before it started, Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, rose to introduce guests in the gallery, as is the custom, including her partner, Carol Grohoski, and a large group of folks "who have worked with the…
Close to half a dozen members of the Statehouse press corps were kept waiting for an hour to ask members of the Senate GOP leadership about their votes in committee this morning, which came without discussion or explanation, to kill proposed human rights legislation, the…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's party-line rejection of anti-discrimination legislation for gays in employment and housing in Idaho. There was no discussion before the vote, other than a comment from Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, telling Malepeai that he has…
More than 150 people signed in for this morning's "Add The Words" print hearing, at which the Senate State Affairs Committee, on a straight party-line vote, refused to introduce legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho's Human Rights Act, which bans discrimination…
After the Senate State Affairs Committee's decision this morning not to introduce the "Add The Words" legislation, the crowd filed out, and in the hallway outside the Capitol Auditorium, a group began singing "We Shall Overcome" in ringing tones. Here, a capitol security guard removes…
His voice breaking, Sen. Edgar Malepeai, D-Pocatello, told the Senate State Affairs Committee that the "Add The Words" bill would amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. "The act allows the commission to address…
Senate State Affairs Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, told the crowd in the Capitol Auditorium this morning, "I apologize for the inconvenience on moving over. I think this is a much better location, and I should've done this from the beginning because ... of the interest."…
The "Add The Words" bill, which would add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to Idaho's Human Rights Act, to ban discrimination on that basis in housing and employment, is the third item on the agenda this morning in the Senate State Affairs Committee.…
So many people have shown up for the print hearing this morning for the "Add The Words" human rights bill that the line to get into the small committee room stretched down the hall; after the room overflowed, Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
