On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” program on Idaho Public Television, I join Jim Weatherby, David Adler, Aaron Kunz and host Greg Hahn to discuss the week’s developments in the Legislature. Plus, Greg has a lively interview with Sens. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, and Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene,…
The governor’s education stakeholders task force, which is meeting all day today, has announced that it won’t make recommendations to the 2013 Legislature, leaving $34 million that both the governor and state Superintendent Tom Luna earmarked in their budget recommendations in limbo, Idaho Education News…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Increased mental health services, improved dental care coverage and Medicaid expansion topped the list of priorities presented to Idaho lawmakers during a hearing on health and welfare issues. About three dozen people testified…
When Gov. Butch Otter addressed the Idaho Press Club this morning, he was asked about the possibility of his going up against GOP Congressman Raul Labrador in a bid for the governorship in 2014. “I don’t hope anybody but me runs for governor,” Otter said,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho legislators are pushing back against measures in Western states where voters recently relaxed marijuana laws. The Senate's State Affairs Committee unanimously voted in favor Friday of introducing a resolution opposing marijuana use…
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favor of HB 88, the governor’s bill to revise and expand the Hire One More Employee (HOME) tax credit. Only Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, opposed the move, which sends the bill to the full House…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has sided with environmentalists and ruled the U.S. Forest Service erred by not exercising its regulatory authority when the state allowed huge trucks to haul giant oil refinery equipment along…
As the Idaho State Historical Society began its budget presentation this morning, JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, told director Janet Gallimore, “I never know quite what you’re going to bring, but it gets better every year.” The Historical Society was founded in 1881 and established…
The fourth-floor rotunda of the Capitol this morning is filled with displays highlighting organizations that serve people with disabilities. Meanwhile, many of those same services are being discussed downstairs in the Capitol Auditorium, where a "listening session" held by the House and Senate Health &…
Of yesterday’s 8-1 vote in favor of his state health insurance exchange bill, Gov. Butch Otter said this morning, “I was grateful yesterday to see the vote come out of the Senate committee.” He noted that every Republican on the panel voted in favor of…
Gov. Butch Otter told the Idaho Press Club this morning that he’s met with several senators who opposed the confirmation of his latest Fish & Game commissioner appointee, Joan Hurlock; the Senate Resources Committee voted 5-4 to recommend she not be confirmed. “I think the…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter told the Idaho Press Club this morning that the personal property tax issue “takes up probably at least 50 percent of every Thursday morning leadership meeting,” when he meets with legislative leaders, “where we discuss the what-ifs and the where-ats, how…
There's a lot going on today for a Friday. This morning from 8-10 in the Capitol Auditorium, the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees are taking public testimony in an open "listening session." It's being streamed online; you can watch live here. Also this…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s controversial state health insurance exchange legislation won near-unanimous support from a Senate committee Thursday after two days of hearings, a key victory for the GOP governor; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. Opponents wearing swatches of bright pink…
Idaho’s general fund state tax revenues for the month of January came in $0.9 million ahead of forecast, or 0.3 percent ahead, according to the latest general fund revenue report, which is out today. You can read the full report here from the governor’s Division…
There’s an interesting online dustup today in which a reporter for the IdahoReporter.com site disparaged the Senate’s senior member in Twitter posts while the senator spoke at a packed public hearing, and then, when called on it by another reporter on Twitter, responded, “This is…
It’s back to the drawing board for a series of controversial bills to limit Idaho teachers’ collective bargaining rights, reports Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News. “All the bills from the school boards are being redrafted,” Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, told…
Idaho already has a law providing stiff felony penalties – up to 25 years in prison – for assault and battery on certain official personnel, including judges, police officers, prosecutors, bailiffs, prison or jail guards, parole officers, social workers, firefighters, Tax Commission agents, and Emergency…
The Senate Commerce Committee has voted 8-1 in favor of SB 1042, the governor’s health insurance exchange bill. The only “no” vote came from Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, who said he was concerned about the lack of legislative oversight in the exchange as proposed. Sen.…
Last to testify from the public this afternoon, speaking 15th, is Janice McGeachin, who until this year chaired the House Health & Welfare Committee. McGeachin said she opposes a state exchange – and she opposes a federal exchange as well. “I think that some legitimate…
Among those testifying this afternoon on SB 1042, the governor’s state insurance exchange bill: Joe Rohner said, “I am a free-market capitalist in every sense of the term. … From this day forth, Mr. Otter owns Obamacare, which shall now be known statewide as Ottercare.”…
Peggy Munson, a retired geriatric nurse and the state volunteer president of the AARP, was the first person called to testify at this afternoon’s insurance exchange hearing. She said while some are saying Idaho should do nothing to comply with health care reform, “These are…
Many in the crowd at the health insurance exchange hearing today are wearing swatches of pink tape; Senate Commerce Chairman John Tippets, R-Montpelier, said they’re doing so to indicate they are opposing the state-based exchange bill, SB 1042. He thanked them for finding a way…
The Capitol Auditorium is filling up once again this afternoon for the Senate Commerce Committee’s continued hearing on the governor’s proposal for a state-based health insurance exchange. The committee is scheduled to vote today at the end of its 90-minute meeting, regardless of how many…
Start-up funding of $1.39 million for the National Guard Youth Challenge program in Pierce won unanimous approval from the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning, the Lewiston Tribune reports, all from private donations and federal grants; Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, made the successful motion. The Youth…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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