Idaho’s cash-strapped courts are looking to go all-electronic in the future to save money and serve the public better. State courts Administrator Patti Tobias told lawmakers Monday the courts have increasingly been using technology to gain efficiencies, and plan next year to bring the Legislature…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Department of Correction and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter are backing away from a mental health prison, citing concerns over operating costs. Less than a month ago, Otter announced the $70 million,…
After the Senate Resources Committee ran for an hour past its usual time this afternoon, Chairman Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, said, “These votes on all three of these candidates today will be taken on Wednesday. We’ll meet at 1:15.” In addition to Fish & Game…
Fish & Game Commissioner Joan Hurlock had been at the microphone, speaking and answering questions from Senate Resources Committee members, for more than an hour when Chairman Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, thanked her, and commented, “That blond hair will sure look better on that commission…
Joan Hurlock, who is only the second woman to serve on Idaho’s Fish & Game Commission, is up for her confirmation hearing in the Senate Resources Committee this afternoon. “I would like to correct the record, set it straight and have you hear it from…
House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, has just announced that the joint “listening session” held by the House and Senate education committees on Friday was so successful that they’re going to hold a second one, this time a week from today, next Monday, from 4-6…
Pregnancy resource clinics that don’t perform abortions would be exempt from Idaho’s state sales tax, under a personal bill introduced by Rep. Kelly Packer, R-McCammon; StateImpact Idaho reports that the measure, HB 62, was prompted by Stanton Healthcare, the organization led by anti-abortion activist Brandi…
The words didn’t get added last year, but the sentiment stuck around, reports Twin Falls Times-News reporter Melissa Davlin. Two lawmakers announced Friday that they’re introducing legislation to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act, to include them…
New North Idaho Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, introduced his first bill this morning, drawing plaudits from members of the House Revenue & Taxation Committee. “This is a positive for private property rights,” declared Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, “and it is a positive for taxpayers, and…
Interestingly, Idaho’s juvenile corrections system reports that the number of youngsters being arrested has dropped significantly. “We arrested 5,000 fewer juveniles last year than we did 10 years ago,” said Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Director Sharon Harrigfeld. Asked why, she said, “It’s because we…
Attorneys in Idaho’s State Appellate Public Defender’s office are carrying workloads that are more than double the national average and face an ever-expanding caseload. So the office has requested an additional appellate unit attorney next year, which would bump its total number of attorneys from…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party is stepping down. Larry Grant announced this week this week that he won't seek another term, sending the state's minority party searching for a new leader.…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
