Idaho Gov. Butch Otter today issued this statement in response to a federal lawsuit threat from former Govs. Phil Batt and Cecil Andrus over nuclear waste shipments: “The allegation that I am doing anything less than protecting Idaho under the terms of the 1995 Settlement…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The head of Idaho's pro-business lobby has been placed on temporary leave after sending a profanity-laden email criticizing a state senator and suggesting the group introduce retaliation legislation. The Idaho Statesman (http://bit.ly/1B8ME89) reports…
The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee today approved HB 75, the bill to remove Idaho’s 6 percent sales tax from prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, and sent it to the full Senate for a final vote; the bill earlier passed the House, 57-12. The…
A non-binding memorial to Congress urging it to enact national legislation blocking any state from requiring labeling of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, won House support on a 41-24 vote today, after much debate. The memorial says foods containing genetically engineered (GE) ingredients “are as...
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A House panel is considering a plan to spend $2.5 million to support school counselors and lay out specific guidelines for their job descriptions. The House Education Committee introduced the bill Thursday. Marilyn…
Former Idaho Govs. Cecil Andrus and Phil Batt fired off a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Energy this morning threatening a federal lawsuit over a deal between the Otter Administration and the Department of Energy to allow a shipment of commercial spent nuclear fuel...
At the urging of state Commerce Director Jeff Sayer, the House Revenue & Taxation Committee has agreed to introduce new legislation allowing counties to greatly expand their use of an optional property tax break they can hand out for business expansions. Currently, the tax break is...
The new teacher “career ladder” bill proposed by Gov. Butch Otter, introduced yesterday in the House Education Committee, is being variously described as a $125 million plan and a $214 million plan; it’s a $125.6 million plan. Here’s why: The current teacher pay system in...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
