Legislative budget writers held hearings this morning on mental health services through the state Department of Health & Welfare, as they continued a week of budget hearings on health and human services programs. Taking center stage: A proposal from Gov. Butch Otter to establish crisis…
The Idaho Freedom Foundation now has six billboards around the state attacking lawmakers who voted in favor of setting up a state-based health insurance exchange, rather than allowing the federal government to operate an exchange for Idaho. They’ve also updated the look of the first…
Idaho Schools Superintendent Tom Luna and Richard Westerberg, head of the education stakeholders task force that produced 20 recommendations to improve Idaho’s schools, are making presentations to a joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees this afternoon in the Lincoln Auditorium; you can…
A legislative interim committee has unanimously endorsed a report calling for reforms to Idaho’s criminal justice system designed to address costly flaws in the system that are contributing to extra-long stays behind bars for non-violent offenders and for probation and parole violators. The full report…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have received a new video of captured U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl that they believe was taken within the last month, showing that the soldier is alive. The video came to light…
The Senate Resources Committee, which last year refused to confirm Fish & Game Commissioner Joan Hurlock, gave a much different reception today to this year’s two new commissioners, Brad Corkill of the Panhandle and Mark Doerr of the Magic Valley. After Corkill, responding to senators’…
The Idaho Senate today honored U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge, the state’s longest-serving judge ever, with 50 years on the state and federal bench. Lodge, shown above at center, was in the gallery with family members and court staff. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho…
Gov. Butch Otter has named an eight-member working group headed by former House Tax Chairman Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, to study ways to improve operations at the Idaho State Tax Commission, including how the commission's rule-making process could be improved and whether restructuring is in order.…
Lewiston Tribune reporter Bill Spence reports that though oversized loads have been one of Idaho’s most controversial transportation issues the past few years, that wasn’t the case on Tuesday, when new rules for loads of up to 129,000 pounds sailed through a House subcommittee. Under…
Legislators shouldn’t be able to also hold any other elected positions, Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, said today, offering legislation to make that Idaho law. The House State Affairs Committee voted to introduce the bill, but several members said they saw problems with such a blanket…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
