Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The measure everybody has been waiting for — personal property tax relief — is finally in play, after Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter released a draft proposal for review by counties, cities, schools, business…
On this Valentine’s Day, dance rallies were held as part of an international event protesting violence against women and girls dubbed “One Billion Rising,” and it happened in Boise, too, on the Statehouse steps. The Boise Weekly reports that hundreds danced in front of the…
After nearly two hours of testimony, the House Local Government Committee has overwhelmingly rejected HB 135, a proposal from Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene, to require a city-wide or county-wide vote before any urban renewal agency could establish a new revenue allocation area within its…
Two controversial measures dealing with marijuana have been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee next Wednesday morning, and committee Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, is trying something new: He’s letting people sign up in advance to testify. “I think it would…
A fire management organization has been cited by OSHA and fined $14,000 for serious safety violations that inspectors say led to the death of U.S. Forest Service firefighter Anne Veseth last summer, the AP reports. Click below for the full report; the citation, dated Feb.…
Fearful that President Barack Obama will move aggressively to limit firearms, a Republican lawmaker said Thursday at least two bills meant to bolster gun rights will begin their journey through the Idaho Legislature starting early next week, the AP reports. House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley,…
The House has voted 62-7 in favor of HB 88, the governor’s “Hire One More Employee” or HOME tax credit bill, sending it across the rotunda to the Senate side. The measure revises the existing “Hire One” new jobs credit, adding an extra $1,000 credit…
Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee Chairman Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, used his presentation to JFAC to report on talks on repealing or reducing the personal property tax on business equipment. “I wish I could stand here today and report to you that all is well,…
Among the committee chairs presenting budget recommendations for their subject areas to JFAC this morning was Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, chairman of the Health & Welfare Committee. JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, questioned why Medicaid costs have seen such large swings over the years, sometimes…
The House Education Committee has approved HB 65, the bill sponsored by its chairman, Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, and Senate Education Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, to restore funding for the current year back to the public school budget despite program eliminations due to the…
The Joint Millenium Fund Committee presented its funding recommendations to JFAC this morning, detailing how it’s voted to spend next year’s distributions from earnings on the trust fund Idaho created with its proceeds from a national tobacco settlement. The fund has $10.7 million available to…
Today, the chairs of germane committees in both houses are beginning their presentations of recommendations to JFAC as the joint committee prepares to begin setting state agency budgets. First up this morning were the chairmen of the Senate and House education committees. JFAC Co-Chair Dean…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
