The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs is meeting in the state Capitol today, and its members expressed strong concerns about the introduction of legislation today regarding tobacco taxes on reservations without any consultation with the tribes. “Nobody's ever talked to us, approached us,” said Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. “I'm a little disappointed again that all of our efforts, all of these tribal leaders around the table trying to bridge that gap with the state, we seem to be taking a step backwards again. That's not the way I envisioned this. I would hope we as two government bodies could sit around the table and work our differences out”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here. And: Denney bill here.

• Labrador to legislators: Congressional frosh trying to save future/Statesman
• House removes move to pull 'conscience' bill from committee/Eye On Boise
• Luna calls move to pull back ed 'reform' bill 'a positive step'/Eye On Boise
• YouTube sensation Saunders argued against merit pay plan/Idaho Reporter
• Union leader: Legislature is attacking working families/Statesman

Question: Shouldn't House Speaker Lawerence Denney have consulted with Idaho's five tribes before introducing legislation that significantly affects them?