Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador had his first bill pass the U.S. House today, an amendment aimed at easing geothermal energy exploration. “My amendment establishes a common sense, streamlined policy for the development of clean geothermal resources that will create jobs and provide American families increased…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Skin doctors told House lawmakers to ban tanning beds for people under 18, while a personal liberties activist argued such laws turn Idaho into a "nanny state." Similar bans are being debated in…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's oldest public university is opposing efforts to remove the word "flagship" from their mission statement. The state Board of Education approved changes Thursday to the mission statements for all of Idaho's public…
GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul has announced a Boise campaign rally this Saturday at 12:30 at Century Link Arena, 223 S. Capitol Blvd. in downtown Boise. Paul spoke at a rally in Twin Falls earlier today, and will hold campaign rallies Friday at 4 p.m.…
Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, is pushing emergency legislation to permit any insurance policy in Idaho to exclude coverage for contraception, sterilization or abortion-inducing drugs, along with a memorial to Congress, HJM 10, backing legislation to amend the national health care reform law to allow insurers…
The House Energy, Environment & Technology Committee voted unanimously this afternoon to approve the new five-year update of the Idaho Energy Plan. Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, who co-chairs the Legislature's interim energy committee, noted that more than 150 comments were received on the plan, and…
Ross Borden, whom many lawmakers know as a former legislative budget analyst and who is now the director of intergovernmental affairs for the city of Boise, told the House Transportation Committee today that HB 480, Rep. Joe Palmer's bill to turn off all parking meters…
Monsanto Co. is picking a fight with Idaho's utilities, arguing they should be forced to disclose more information about costs of future power plants or transmission lines so customers will be better armed to oppose unnecessary rate hikes, AP reporter John Miller reports. In one…
The House has returned from caucus and adjourned for the day without taking any action on bills. Though House Speaker Lawerence Denney had said last week that at the next GOP caucus, he'd ask members if they wanted to end the lockdown of their office…
"Very nice welcome - sounds like a lot of friends here today," GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul told an enthusiastic crowd at a Twin Falls high school auditorium just now; you can watch live here courtesy of KBOI2 News. "I think we have to face…
When Idaho Sen. Mitch Toryanski was a West Point cadet, the definition of ethics was clear: A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do. The penalty was expulsion. Now that he's a state senator serving on the Idaho Legislature's bipartisan working…
Now Senate Republicans also are headed into a closed-door caucus; at 11: 15 Boise time, the Senate adjourned for the day without ever going to its 3rd reading calendar to consider passage of bills. Instead, the Senate's session this morning was spent in the 14th…
The House has halted its morning session this morning for closed-door Republican and Democratic caucuses. Majority Leader Mike Moyle announced that if the caucus doesn't run "super long," the House will return to the chamber and begin taking up bills; if it does run long,…
Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, has been overruled in her attempt to challenge Senate Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder's ruling that her amendment to SB 1215 can't be considered. The bill is about increasing penalties for prison contraband; LeFavour argued that the bill says it's about…
Nine senators are gathered in the well of the Senate going over rules questions with Lt. Gov. Brad Little, as Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, formally challenges Sen. Chuck Winder's ruling that her amendment is not germane, and that it would result in violating the state…
Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, is attempting to amend SB 1215, legislation regarding prison contraband, to add into it the "Add The Words" bill expanding the Idaho Human Rights Act to cover discrimination in housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation; the act now…
Locally made solar panels and high-output LED lights are among the items on display in the fourth-floor rotunda of the Capitol today as part of "Energy Lobby Day," an event sponsored by the Idaho Energy Collaborative to educate lawmakers and the public about the benefits…
House Health & Welfare Chair Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, told legislative budget writers, "In reviewing the budget before you with Medicaid specifically, it strikes me the enormity of what is before us. ... It's simply unsustainable. ... I'm struck by the enormity of the challenges."…
Senate Transportation Chairman Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, making his final presentation to JFAC (he's not seeking another term), told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning this morning that Idaho is going to have to look seriously at spending some state general-fund money on transportation; it's…
Senate Judiciary Chairman Denton Darrington told legislative budget writers today that Idaho has a problem with its correctional officers, as Corrections Director Brent Reinke earlier detailed: "They are so poorly paid ... and it's not an easy job." As a result, there's high turnover, both…
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum won applause at a campaign rally in Boise this week when he advocated transferring or selling off federal lands in the state, but the issue has been a loser for other politicians over the course of history, report Idaho Statesman…
Senate Commerce Chairman John Andreason told JFAC this morning, "It has been four years since the state employees have received a cost-of-living adjustment. Idaho's public servants are our greatest assets," and he said the lag in their pay is having serious impact. "Managers across state…
Chairs of eight House and Senate committees are presenting their recommendations to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning, as the joint committee prepares to start setting budgets for state agencies next week. First up this morning was House Commerce & Human Resources Chair Sharon Block,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
