Brent Reinke, Idaho state prisons chief, as he opened his presentation to the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho today, said Idahoans may be wondering, "What about this violence story? What's happening here?" He said he'd be glad to speak with any legislator who's been contacted by…
Jody Olson, chairman of the PERSI board, told the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, "PERSI is not like Social Security, and it's not going broke. ... It is sustainable for the future." For a public employee retirement system to be 80 percent funded is considered "excellent,"…
Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, has decided to give up his coveted seat on the Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee after five years to focus on economic development legislation in the coming session. "My background is economic development, it is business management," said Henderson, a fourth-term…
Lt. Gov. Brad Little said his luncheon address to the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho today is on "the good, the bad and the ugly" - it's about the outlook for the upcoming legislative session. "Additional tough choices are going to be required," Little told the…
Hundreds of state lawmakers, local officials, lobbyists, business people and others are gathered for the annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference today, which will feature Lt. Gov. Brad Little as the luncheon speaker on Idaho's priorities as the 2011 legislative session and the new budget…
Two prominent Idaho lobbying firms are merging: Sullivan & Reberger is merging with Eiguren Public Policy, and the new firm, Sullivan Reberger Eiguren, will represent the clients of both firms. Sullivan & Reberger is Pat Sullivan and Phil Reberger, while Eiguren Public Policy is Roy…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden issued this statement following the Idaho Supreme Court’s endowment lands cottage site lease decision today:“I appreciate the Court’s consideration of our petition. We knew going in that a writ of prohibition is an extraordinary remedy. Nonetheless, we chose this course…
The Idaho Supreme Court, in a 3-2 ruling today, has granted the state's motion to dismiss Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's legal challenge to state-owned cabin site rents, which charged that the state Land Board is violating the Idaho Constitution by not securing the maximum…
Boise schools are closed for a snow day today, with the school district reporting that "the significant amount of snow that fell during the day and evening of November 30 and into the morning hours of December 1 have made for dangerous traveling conditions for…
AP reporter John Miller has this overview of GOP leadership battles in the House and Senate, which will be decided in party caucuses on Wednesday night: "Secret balloting on Wednesday evening is set to determine if Idaho Senate Republicans will turn to conservative newcomers for…
There's a really stunning video story out from the Associated Press about Idaho's privately operated prison, the Idaho Correctional Center south of Boise, where surveillance videos show an inmate being brutally attacked by another inmate while guards do nothing to stop the attack, even when…
The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee voted unanimously today to work with the chairs of the House and Senate health and welfare committees to introduce legislation in January to reform Idaho's emergency medical services, which a new performance evaluation found are now a disjointed patchwork of…
The Idaho Fish & Game Department issued this news release just now about Rex Rammell, the quirky former elk rancher whose run for governor in the Republican primary this year won him 26 percent of the vote, finishing second to incumbent Gov. Butch Otter in…
When it comes to emergency medical services like paramedics and ambulances, Idaho has a "disjointed assortment of agencies providing services from a mix of resources," according to a new legislative performance evaluation unveiled today. Those range from cities, counties and fire departments to ambulance districts,…
Associated Press reporter Rebecca Boone reports that the FBI is investigating Idaho's private-run state prison. Here's her report: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson says the U.S. Department of Justice is looking into allegations of criminal conduct among the staff at Idaho's only…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho prosecutor has declined to pursue a criminal case stemming from allegations that Idaho State Tax Commission leaders gave politically connected taxpayers inappropriate settlements. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press,…
Idaho Transportation Director Brian Ness has decided to hold full contested-case hearings on the ConocoPhillips proposal to haul four megaloads of oil refinery equipment across U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho, as recommended by a state hearing officer. "I have reviewed and accept the decision…
A coyote that was acting strangely in the around the Capitol and North End areas of Boise was hit with three tranquilizer darts on Friday, but still evaded capture and remains on the loose, the Idaho Fish and Game Department has announced. Fish & Game…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is en route back from a two-hour meeting this morning in Denver with the governors of Montana and Wyoming and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, which Otter attended at Salazar's invitation. Otter in October pulled his state out of participating in…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter joined Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar at a meeting this morning in Lakewood, Colo. to discuss the status of wolf management in the three states - a meeting Salazar called. Afterward, the…
Idaho’s newest congressman-elect is a 42-year-old attorney and former state lawmaker, but he’s also still paying off thousands in student loans. “It’s how I got through law school,” said Idaho Rep.-elect Raul Labrador. The Project on Student Debt, a nonprofit research group funded by the…
Idaho Congressman-elect Raul Labrador, after a week of new member orientation in Washington, D.C., pronounced the experience "amazing." "I just felt the entire week like it was such a privilege to be there, and I was just in awe that the people of Idaho had…
Thanks to concerns from Idaho state legislators, Idahoans now may legally sell up to six rattlesnake skins a year, and the state’s Fish and Game Department is looking into whether to allow Idaho hunters to salvage some road-killed animals. “I’m all for it,” said Rep.…
Today was the first time since 1994 that Bogus Basin ski area has opened on Thanksgiving Day, and it was a particularly nice one. It was c-c-cold, the powder was fresh, the sun was peeking out and snowflakes were sparkling in the air. Eager skiers…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's ruling from a state hearing officer that residents and business owners along scenic U.S. Highway 12 who object to giant mega-loads of oil equipment traveling the route and blocking both lanes have a right…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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