This Friday morning, for the first time, JFAC will take public testimony, and it'll be on the public school budget. From 8-11 a.m., anyone who wishes to offer their thoughts can address JFAC, with a time limit of 3 minutes per person. The hearing will…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials say bridges designed to last up to 60 years will have to hold out twice that long without an increase in transportation funding. That's what Idaho Transportation Director Brian Ness told…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the tribal policing issue that's back before lawmakers, after a deal that averted legislation last spring fell apart. "That agreement was not signed, which necessitates coming back before the Legislature and asking for a resolution…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials say motor vehicle fatalities across Idaho declined in the past year, dropping to the lowest level since 1975. Idaho Transportation Department Deputy Director Scott Stokes told lawmakers Thursday there were 211…
As top ITD officials, including Director Brian Ness, Deputy Director Scott Stokes and the state Transportation Board, make presentations to a joint meeting of the House and Senate transportation committees this afternoon, lawmakers asked about the megaloads that ITD just approved to travel on U.S.…
Two years ago, Idaho legislators passed a law that exempts anyone under age 16 from having to have a driver's license to operate an off-highway vehicle, ATV or motorbike on national forest roads. Now, the Forest Service is doing a review of safety issues on…
Representatives of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region group, or PNWER, are in Boise today and tomorrow, and they're pushing to expand exports to boost the economies of both the states and the Canadian provinces in the region. Among the ideas: Expanding capacity for wheat storage…
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is back before Idaho lawmakers this year, after Benewah County reneged on a deal last spring that prompted the tribe to drop legislation on policing that lawmakers were on the verge of passing. "Obviously we were extremely disappointed," said Helo Hancock,…
The answer to Idaho's higher education funding conundrum - more students, less money - can't just be raising tuition rates further, state Board of Education President Richard Westerberg told lawmakers. "Longterm in Idaho, we cannot continue to raise tuitions at the rate we have in…
Idaho State Board of Education President Richard Westerberg told lawmakers this morning that the state board's goal is 60 percent by 2020 - that 60 percent of Idahoans who are ages 25-34 should have some sort of post-secondary degree or credential. "Our society, our global…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
