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Eye On Boise Betsy Z. Russell

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2018

From left, Betsy Russell, Rocky Barker, host Melissa Davlin, and Marty Peterson on Friday's "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television, on March 30, 2018. (Idaho Public TV / Seth Ogilvie)

The week that was...

On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” on Idaho Public Television, host Melissa Davlin interviews state Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, on education and budgeting; and visits with Lewiston Tribune reporter Bill Spence and Twin Falls Times-News reporter Gretel Kauffman on how this year’s legislative action affected their…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018







The new end-of-session process...

The Idaho Legislature followed a new process this year at the end of its session, sparked in part by an Idaho Supreme Court decision last year that held that bills lawmakers pass are null and void unless they’re presented to the governor before lawmakers adjourn…

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Gov. Butch Otter discusses this year's legislative session at a press conference in his office in the Idaho state Capitol on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (The Spokesman-Review / Betsy Z. Russell)

Otter on legislative session: 'Proud of the work'

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter pointed to education improvements at the top of his list of what he saw as the accomplishments of this year’s legislative session, along with expanding behavioral health crisis centers; consolidating the state’s information technology services under the governor’s office; expanding the…

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018

The Idaho Senate meets on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, the final day of the annual legislative session. (Betsy Z. Russell / The Spokesman-Review)

Session wraps up on 80th day

The Idaho Legislature wrapped up an 80-day legislative session on Wednesday, opting at the end not to try to override a veto from Gov. Butch Otter, though lawmakers had remained in session for five extra days just for that purpose. Otter on Wednesday vetoed legislation…

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And then there was one…

Two of the three bills that Gov. Butch Otter indicated earlier today he had problems with have now been dealt with; Otter has allowed the non-compete bill, SB 1287a, to become law without his signature. You can read his transmittal letter here. The bill repeals…

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Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, right, and House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, left, discuss this year's legislative session on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. (The Spokesman-Review / Betsy Z. Russell)

Dems on session: 'It was entirely about politics'

House and Senate Democrats touted their legislative successes this year, but said when it came to the session’s top-tier issues – from two major tax bills to the “stand your ground” law and anti-trespassing bill – majority Republicans shunted them aside. “Democrats were completely cut…

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Update: Senate now waiting for House...

Senate Republicans wrapped up their caucus in about 15 minutes, but the Senate hasn't gone back into session; it's now waiting for the House. "We can't do anything until we know what they're going to do," said Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg. The Senate…

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Otter vetoes charter school administrators bill

Gov. Butch Otter has vetoed the charter school administrator certification bill, HB 566a. The amended bill passed the Senate 23-10 and the House 58-11; the original bill passed the House 49-18. The measure would set up a new certification for charter school administrators that lacks...

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Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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