Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill brought by the Idaho teachers union that lowers the bar for school districts to declare a financial emergency is on its way to the Senate floor. On Thursday the Senate Education…
The Idaho Department of Correction reports that it needs donations of quilting material, especially batting and backing, for its inmate quilting program. “The quilting program is entirely self-sufficient, it gets no taxpayer support,” said department Director Brent Reinke. “The program keeps inmates busy and gives…
In yesterday’s seven-hour House debate over the state health insurance exchange bill, House Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane, R-Nampa, flubbed a historical allusion, building his debate around an argument that Rosa Parks stood up to the federal government, reports Idaho Statesman reporter Dan Popkey. “One…
SB 1089, which repeals Idaho’s teacher early retirement incentive program, has passed the House on a 54-15 vote. All House Democrats opposed the measure, as did GOP Reps. Mike Moyle, R-Star, and Douglas Hancey, R-Rexburg. The measure, which had earlier passed the Senate, now heads…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter called on the U.S. Department of Energy today to protect court-ordered cleanup work at the Idaho National Laboratory from sequestration cuts, saying, "Safety and the environment are non-negotiable terms for the State of Idaho.” Otter told the department, "INL is a…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The House Revenue and Taxation Committee dumped a bid to help developers to finance highway projects with bonds backed by Idaho sales taxes.Thursday's 9-6 rejection came after representatives said they were leery of…
Denis Stevens, consul general of Canada, spoke to both the Idaho House and Senate today, and touted the strong relationship between his nation and the United States – and the state of Idaho. “We’ve created what may be the most successful bilateral relationship in history,”…
Legislation to revive one of the most controversial pieces of voter-rejected Proposition 1 – letting Idaho school districts unilaterally impose contract terms if negotiations with their local teachers unions don’t lead to an agreement by June 10 – cleared the House today on a near-party-line…
After much debate, the Senate has voted 27-7 in favor of HB 159, the bill to allow a liquor license at the Nez Perce Tribe’s new convention center. Several senators complained about special laws allowing liquor licenses, saying instead the state’s system should be reformed.…
The Federal Communications Commission would be encouraged to crack down on TV portrayals of premarital sex in fictional TV programs, reality shows and ads, under a non-binding memorial that won the approval of the House State Affairs Committee this morning, including “implied portrayal of or…
The House Health & Welfare Committee voted unanimously this morning to introduce two bills proposed by Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona: One to eliminate the county medical indigency and state catastrophic health care program; and the other to expand Medicaid. Together, the two moves would save…