Idaho’s seen big boosts in sales in its state liquor division from Washington residents, division Director Jeff Anderson told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today. “Sales along the border there are up probably 20 to 30 percent,” Anderson said. “With the addition of the Stateline store,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's oil and natural gas industry is a step closer to getting new regulators after a Senate panel approved a shakeup of the state's Oil and Natural Gas Commission. Currently, the Idaho Land…
Idaho’s wages are still short of their pre-recession peak, state Department of Labor Director Roger Madsen reported to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning, but profits for Idaho businesses have rebounded, passing their pre-recession high in the spring of 2011 and growing by another 8.3…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — Former state Sen. Joyce Broadsword has decided to step away from her seat on the Bonner County Commission to take an administrative position with a state agency.Broadsword announced Tuesday plans to resign from…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Voters who once lived in Idaho but now reside overseas could be barred from casting ballots in local elections, under legislation introduced in a House committee Wednesday at the urging of Rep. Kathy…
Former longtime Associated Press reporter Quane Kenyon covered many an Idaho legislative session, but his role in the Capitol today is a different one – he’s a substitute senator, filling in today through Friday for Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise. Martin is off to Atlanta with…
After a two-day delay due to an over-long floor debate on Monday, the Idaho Senate held its annual Lincoln Day ceremony today, with teen Senate pages taking center stage, both singing and offering inspiring quotes. That was the idea of freshman Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise,…
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how 16 Idaho GOP House freshmen have banded together on the health insurance exchange bill, saying if their changes pass, they’ll back Gov. Butch Otter’s state exchange. That’s close to enough votes to put the…
There was no debate at all in the House this morning as HB 55, making changes to the rules for Idaho’s “do not call list,” passed on a 65-5 vote. The measure would lift the current ban on telephone companies, cellular or cable companies making…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The sponsor of a bill intended to keep convicted felons out of Idaho's public schools has pulled the legislation. Republican Sen. Lee Heider of Twin Falls said Wednesday he decided to remove the…
Sixteen House GOP freshmen gathered in a Statehouse press conference this morning to announce that if the trailer bill introduced this morning by freshman Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, passes, they will support the governor’s state health insurance exchange bill, SB 1042. “That’s why we’re…
Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, told the House Health & Welfare Committee this morning, “This is a trailer bill that will attach to what most of you probably know as SB 1042 over on the Senate side. This is a legislative oversight bill meant to…
Idaho’s per-capita liquor consumption remains low, state Liquor Division director Jeff Anderson told legislative budget writers this morning. “We’re well below the national averages, despite the Washington state effect that has had an impact on sales at the border.” He said Washington’s move to privatize…
Gov. Butch Otter isn’t opposing the new health insurance exchange bill that Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, will propose in House Health & Welfare this morning at 9 – in fact, he’s praising it. “I think he understands what they’re trying to do and appreciates…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
