On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” program on Idaho Public Television, I join Jim Weatherby, David Adler, Aaron Kunz and host Greg Hahn to discuss the week’s developments in the Legislature. Plus, Greg has a lively interview with Sens. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, and Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene,…
The governor’s education stakeholders task force, which is meeting all day today, has announced that it won’t make recommendations to the 2013 Legislature, leaving $34 million that both the governor and state Superintendent Tom Luna earmarked in their budget recommendations in limbo, Idaho Education News…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Increased mental health services, improved dental care coverage and Medicaid expansion topped the list of priorities presented to Idaho lawmakers during a hearing on health and welfare issues. About three dozen people testified…
When Gov. Butch Otter addressed the Idaho Press Club this morning, he was asked about the possibility of his going up against GOP Congressman Raul Labrador in a bid for the governorship in 2014. “I don’t hope anybody but me runs for governor,” Otter said,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho legislators are pushing back against measures in Western states where voters recently relaxed marijuana laws. The Senate's State Affairs Committee unanimously voted in favor Friday of introducing a resolution opposing marijuana use…
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favor of HB 88, the governor’s bill to revise and expand the Hire One More Employee (HOME) tax credit. Only Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, opposed the move, which sends the bill to the full House…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has sided with environmentalists and ruled the U.S. Forest Service erred by not exercising its regulatory authority when the state allowed huge trucks to haul giant oil refinery equipment along…
As the Idaho State Historical Society began its budget presentation this morning, JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, told director Janet Gallimore, “I never know quite what you’re going to bring, but it gets better every year.” The Historical Society was founded in 1881 and established…
The fourth-floor rotunda of the Capitol this morning is filled with displays highlighting organizations that serve people with disabilities. Meanwhile, many of those same services are being discussed downstairs in the Capitol Auditorium, where a "listening session" held by the House and Senate Health &…
Of yesterday’s 8-1 vote in favor of his state health insurance exchange bill, Gov. Butch Otter said this morning, “I was grateful yesterday to see the vote come out of the Senate committee.” He noted that every Republican on the panel voted in favor of…
Gov. Butch Otter told the Idaho Press Club this morning that he’s met with several senators who opposed the confirmation of his latest Fish & Game commissioner appointee, Joan Hurlock; the Senate Resources Committee voted 5-4 to recommend she not be confirmed. “I think the…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter told the Idaho Press Club this morning that the personal property tax issue “takes up probably at least 50 percent of every Thursday morning leadership meeting,” when he meets with legislative leaders, “where we discuss the what-ifs and the where-ats, how…
There's a lot going on today for a Friday. This morning from 8-10 in the Capitol Auditorium, the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees are taking public testimony in an open "listening session." It's being streamed online; you can watch live here. Also this…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
