Gov. Butch Otter, in his monthly "Project 60" message, says "we may finally be at the bottom of this downturn and starting to turn things around." But he warns, "We are not yet anywhere near where we were or where we want to be," and…
Idaho's Department of Labor is warning against a private company that's soliciting out-of-work Idahoans to pay it $9.95 to file their claims for unemployment benefits. Actually, unemployed workers can file such claims themselves for free, either at a local unemployment office, by phone or online.…
It's hard to think of a regular event in the state Capitol that's more chaotic than the annual Buy Idaho day, when purveyors of Idaho products annually fill all four floors of the Capitol rotunda with 100 or more booths, handing out samples of pork-n-seeds,…
Boise State University and the University of Idaho will meet on the football field this Saturday amid all the usual rivalry, but a day earlier, the presidents of the two universities say they'll set rivalry aside to talk research. UI President Duane Nellis and BSU…
When the remains of 13 veterans were interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery last Friday, with full military honors and a formal flag-folding ceremony, it was just the latest sign that the Missing In America Project is accomplishing its goal in Idaho - to…
Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, has issued a statement about his plans to enter the 1st District congressional race; click below to read his full new release. In it, he says, "Becca and I made this decision after talking with our friend, Ken Roberts."
Former GOP legislative candidate Kevin McGowan, who was GOP congressional candidate Ken Roberts' campaign manager until he recently resigned, said, "I wish Ken and his family the best. He's a good person." Asked why he decided to leave the campaign, McGowan said, "It was obvious…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the developments in the 1st District congressional race today, in which Ken Roberts has dropped out, Raul Labrador says he's jumping in, and Vaughn Ward is powering ahead. All this activity is on the GOP…
Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, says he's planning to jump into the 1st District GOP primary race, which already includes Iraq war veteran Vaughn Ward and retired Boise physician Allan Salzberg, but no longer includes House Assistant Majority Leader Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly. "I am making preparations…
Vaughn Ward, GOP candidate for Congress, had this comment this morning on GOP rival Ken Roberts' withdrawal from the race: "He's a leader in the Idaho Statehouse, and he's served Idaho well over the past 10 years. I know that he's going to continue to…
Ken Roberts announced this morning that he's withdrawing from the 1st District congressional race, in which he was vying for the GOP nomination for a chance to challenge 1st District Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick. Roberts cited "an unexpected health issue," and also hinted that other…
Idaho state Rep. Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, who's running for the 1st District congressional seat, has gotten off to a rather slow start in his campaign, lagging far behind fellow GOP hopeful Vaughn Ward in fundraising eight months out from the primary election. As of the…
Washington, D.C. lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is touting its newest addition of "top tier talent to its growing government relations group," namely former Idaho Congressman Larry LaRocco. LaRocco, who previously had his own public affairs and lobbying firm, LaRocco & Associates, will be…
Former Idaho Republican Party Chairman Blake Hall, a lawyer, longtime public official and prominent political player in the state, has resigned from his seat on the Republican National Committee, Idaho party Chairman Norm Semanko announced today, two days after Hall reported to the Bonneville County…
Both of Idaho's representatives, Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick, voted against the health care reform bill in the House over the weekend, while the two split on a stringent anti-abortion amendment that was added to the bill at the last minute; Simpson voted in favor,…
Idaho Fish & Game says the wolf hunting season is closed as of today in the McCall-Weiser zone, where the limit of 15 wolves was reached. It's the second of 12 zones in the state in which the wolf hunt has closed; the first was…
Idaho's elections last week were all officially non-partisan city races, but there's growing debate in the state about what role - if any - political parties should play in those contests. In Idaho Falls, where the county GOP central committee endorsed a candidate in the…
Here's a link to former ITD Director Pam Lowe's whistleblower complaint filed in 4th District Court today, in her wrongful firing lawsuit against the state. The complaint includes this quote from Lowe's last performance evaluation: "Mrs. Lowe has quickly taken charge of the Department. She…
Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick says he'll vote against the big health care reform bill that's coming up for a vote in the House. Click below to read his statement.
Fired Idaho Transportation Director Pam Lowe is suing the state, after it never responded to her wrongful firing tort claim alleging sex discrimination, political cronyism and more. Her legal complaint includes explosive new allegations about political pressure, which the head of the Idaho Transportation Board…
Idaho lawmakers would be foolish and premature to try to either opt out of federal health care reforms or, following Arizona's lead, change the state's constitution to try to keep reforms out, lawmakers of both parties concluded today after hours of testimony. "It's premature -…
Opting out of a public option likely wouldn't mean that a state could simply do nothing, Scott Leavitt of the Idaho Association of Health Underwriters warned lawmakers. Instead, states that opt out likely would have to show they're offering something better. "You have a lot…
Alex LaBeau, head of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, told lawmakers that he doesn't think much of federal health care reforms being debated in Congress, but his group isn't recommending opting out. "With most of these proposals, essentially we're punishing 85 percent of…
David Irwin, director of communications for AARP Idaho, told lawmakers on the health care task force that Idaho could face "unintended consequences" if it decides to opt out of federal health care reform. "A move to opt out could reduce or cut federal relief for…
Among the items being discussed in the congressional health care debate, NCSL health policy director Joy Wilson told Idaho lawmakers, is extending the boost to the federal match for Medicaid funding that came with the economic stimulus legislation for an additional six months. That would…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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