Idaho faces a stark choice: Impose unprecedented budget cuts on public schools next year, or stave off those cuts but risk deeper ones the following year. "I think it depends on how big a gambler you are, and I'm pretty pessimistic," said Sen. Shawn Keough,…
The first two bills in Gov. Butch Otter's six-bill transportation package came up for hearings in the House Transportation Committee today, and while one passed unanimously - HB 96, to repeal the ethanol exemption - the other stalled. HB 150, to add a $20 fee…
Compromise legislation to trim back Idaho's costs for health insurance for state retirees, in part by moving all Medicare-eligible retirees off the state plan, passed the House today on a 59-11 vote. "I know there is opposition to this bill," Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, told…
It was another full house this morning for the hearing on the proposed increase in Idaho's beer and wine taxes to fund substance abuse treatment. Today, another 25 people testified, 13 of them for the bill and 12 against. That's after yesterday's hearing, in which…
Idaho state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna is heading to Washington, D.C. today to get first-hand answers about the federal stimulus package from Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and other White House officials. "This is an important trip because the…
JFAC learned this morning that Idaho's share of stimulus money for education budget stabilization is $201.7 million. But that's for both public schools and higher education, and it's for three years: Fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Half the amount could be used up just…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
