Idaho's projected year-end balance at the end of the current fiscal year June 30 - the state surplus - is now up to $113.6 million, according to the latest edition of the General Fund Budget Monitor, which is published by the Legislature's budget office; you…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's endowment trust would be forced to sell a self-storage business in Boise that's ignited criticism that the state inappropriately meddled in the private sector, under legislation introduced today. Rep. John Vander Woude…
The House Resources Committee has unanimously backed the new Idaho State Parks Passport program, the AP reports, which would allow people registering their vehicles to voluntarily add a $10 sticker to their car entitling them to entry into Idaho's 30 state parks. If 20 percent…
Sen. Shirley McKague, R-Meridian, has announced she won't run for another Senate term, and instead has endorsed Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, who landed in the same new legislative district as her. McKague served five terms in the House and is in her third term in…
On Jan. 19, House Speaker Lawerence Denney ordered the doors to House members' basement office areas locked down and open by card access only. "Anyone without a House State ID badge will not be allowed into those spaces until the security guard has cleared it…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed budget got a little boost from the latest tax revenue collections that were $6.3 million above projections. Tuesday's release of figures for January point toward continued economic strengthening.…
Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, said she was surprised when she was targeted in a recall attempt last year, and found that the state's Sunshine Law, which requires campaign finance reporting, doesn't apply to recall elections. "I found out that I had no mandate to record…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A stiff anti-federal wind again gusted through the House this week as a Republican-dominated committee opposed allowing Medicaid to pay for anti-smoking remedies for pregnant women and children. The 2010 federal health care…
The Idaho Senate has put off consideration of amendments to HB 404, the anti-Occupy Boise bill. "It's definitely certain it's not going to be today," said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder, R-Meridian. The reason: Though two proposed amendments have been submitted, others are still…
After Idaho's first execution in 17 years in December, the state could see another one this spring and more next year, state Corrections Director Brent Reinke told legislative budget writers this morning as he made his budget presentation. He said the execution of Paul Ezra…
A deeply divided House State Affairs Committee voted this morning to introduce legislation proposed by Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, to amend House rules to say that any member of leadership who is convicted of a DUI or drug offense would lose his or her leadership…
Idaho Labor Director Roger Madsen says his department is committed to continuing to pick up the funding for the Idaho Human Rights Commission with its various federal funds, though those are becoming increasingly tight. Next year will be the third year of the four-year phaseout…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
