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Here is the fourth week of the Idaho 2009 legislative session in photos.
Section:Gallery
Idaho State Corrections Director Brent Reinke makes his budget presentation to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Prison populations are now falling slightly, he said, reversing a multi-year trend.
Betsy Russell The Spokesman-Review
Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, wants to eliminate the Idaho Women's Commission, which she says has "served its purpose." She introduced legislation this morning to eliminate the state commission.
As the Senate Resources Committee hears a briefing about wolves and considers a bill asking that "surplus" wolves in Idaho be transferred to other states, a large wolf pelt hangs on a wall behind them, brought by committee Chairman Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow. Shown here in front of the pelt is Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth.
Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, is the co-chairwoman of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and chairs the House portion of the panel, the House Appropriations Committee. She is serving her 11th term in the Legislature.
Courtesy Photo Idaho Legislature Courtesy Photo Idaho Legislature
Lt. Gov. Brad Little addresses the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee at the close of his budget hearing, telling lawmakers the governor is doing well after shoulder surgery, 2/3/09
Sen. Lee Heinrich, R-Cascade, center, proposed legislation Tuesday to make it an infraction to drive a car or truck down a groomed snowmobile trail, which he said currently isn't illegal. Sen. Joyce Broadsword, joined in the Senate Transportation Committee's unanimous vote to introduce the bill, as did Sen. Jim Hammond, left.
Mike Gwartney, director of the state Department of Administration, addresses lawmakers during his agency's budget hearing. Gwartney, a close friend of Gov. Butch Otter, works without a salary. He told lawmakers, "I am the CIO of the state.
Work on the Idaho state capitol renovation is on time and on budget, state lawmakers were told Wednesday (2/4/09). The renovation is scheduled to be completed by mid-November, so state officials can move back in and the 2010 legislative session, which begins in January, can be held there.
Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, explains legislation he introduced regarding float-homes that makes sure they're all taxed as real property, rather than personal property, 2/4/09
House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, says lawmakers should take their best shot at setting the state budget now, and leave enough flexibility to use federal stimulus money if it shows up - but not count on it.
Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, tells the Senate why he proposed legislation to offer to give Idaho's wolves away to any state that wants them. If there are no takers, Schroeder said, that would add more legal weight to the state's argument that it needs to kill some wolves to protect livestock and big game herds.
Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes, left, and House Speaker Lawerence Denney, right, address the Idaho Press Club at an annual luncheon. The two warned that the state's budget situation for the current year is worsening.
Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, House tax chairman, pitches his election consolidation bill to the House State Affairs Committee, 2/5/09
Senate Tax Chairman Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, says local citizens should be able to consider local-option taxes without the Legislature "dictating" the answer. But he says the House tax committee won't support such a bill without a constitutional amendment, so he's reluctant to launch one in his committee that would just get killed on the House side.
Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, left, and Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, right, pose with Big Bird at the Idaho Public Television studio, after joining a panel for this week's "Idaho Reports" show discussing the latest developments in the Legislature, 2/6/09
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