The Andrus Center for Public Policy has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to bring together federal, state, tribal and other entities to find ways to reduce the severity of rangeland wildfires. John Freemuth, a senior fellow for environment…
Thirteen Republicans and three Constitution Party candidates for president filed for Idaho’s new March presidential primary election by yesterday’s 5 p.m. deadline and will appear on the March 8 primary ballot. The 13 Republicans are: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina,…
After the Senate overwhelmingly passed the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act yesterday, dubbed the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the president signed it into law today, state Superintendent of Schools Sherri Ybarra has issued a statement commending it, while Idaho Sens. Mike…
A new statewide poll commissioned by the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho has some unfavorable news for those planning to push for major tax reforms or tax cuts in the coming year: 70 percent of Idahoans rate the current state tax system as mostly or very…
A panel of state lawmakers from both parties offered differing views to the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho today about where Idaho should place its priorities going into the next legislative session. “I believe there will be significant interest, if not pressure, to offer up some…
Rep. Rick Youngblood, R-Nampa, told the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho today, “The best economic development tool in Idaho is urban renewal – used correctly. We’ve heard that over and over again.” Engaging in a bit of hyberbole, he recalled presenting an urban renewal bill in…
Dwight Johnson, administrator of the Idaho Division of Professional-Technical Education, told the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho this morning that his division will be requesting a 10 percent increase in its funding in the upcoming legislative session, with the aim of a big boost in high...
Boise attorney Erika Malmen is no longer being considered as a nominee to become Idaho’s next U.S. District judge, according to multiple sources. Instead, the White House is now vetting an alternate candidate proposed by Idaho's two U.S. senators, Idaho 5th District Administrative Judge G.…
John Dougall, Utah state auditor and a former Utah legislator, detailed Utah’s experience with major tax reform for attendees at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference this morning. He said the effort started back in 2001, and after extensive study, the tax reform bill passed…
Without offering specifics, Gov. Butch Otter told the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho this morning that he doesn’t view tax reductions and investing in necessary government programs as in conflict – but he thinks Idaho’s got some ground to make up in education. “Sometimes there’s an…
When successful Idaho restaurateur Kevin Settles looked for a place to open a fourth Bardenay restaurant and distillery, he looked to Colorado, not Idaho, the Idaho Business Review reports, because of Idaho’s pricey and prohibitive liquor license laws. “I would like to operate in a…
About 70 people gathered in the second-floor rotunda of the state Capitol this evening for a Chanukah menorah-lighting ceremony that included remarks from Boise Police Chief Bill Bones, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, state Treasurer Ron Crane, and state Rep. Hy Kloc, D-Boise, along with...
Idaho’s state Tax Commission is holding its annual meeting this afternoon in the Lincoln Auditorium; you can watch live here. “We are a customer service organization,” Commissioner Eliot Werk said as the meeting opened. “Everything we do at the Tax Commission has to do with…
When it comes to school mascots that refer to Indians or tribes, tribal leaders on the Idaho Indian Affairs Council said today that the key is respect. Bill Picard, vice chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Council, said Lewis Clark State College has the Warriors...
The Idaho Indian Affairs Council has voted unanimously to support proposed legislation from Brigadier General Brad Richy, director of the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, on creating a new Emergency Communications Commission to coordinate public safety communications among agencies in Idaho, with one change: A...
When Idaho Indian Affairs Council Chairman Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, asked tribal leaders on the council today to talk about “instant racing,” Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, said, “We feel like the issue was voted on and it’s taken care of . ......
When Idaho’s newly renovated state Historical Museum opens in 2017, it will include an extensive new 2,000-square-foot exhibit that will be the first place visitors enter, focusing on the history of Idaho Indian tribes and entitled “Origins.” Idaho State Historical Society Director Janet Gallimore told…
The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs is meeting at the state Capitol this afternoon, with an agenda ranging from an economic impact review, public safety communications and tribal involvement in the Idaho Historical Society’s new museum, to discussion of tribal mascots and murals and instant...
Police in Twin Falls are investigating a possible hate crime after a building under construction by the Islamic Center of Twin Falls was hit by vandals who spray-painted “HUNT CAMP?” across plywood boards covering the structure’s windows. That was the original name of the Minidoka...
Idaho has ranked second in the nation for its rate of volunteerism, for the second year in a row, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. Its annual report, “Volunteering and Civic Life in America,” showed Idaho ranking only behind Utah; and Boise…
Former Idaho state Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, has been appointed by Gov. Butch Otter to fill a vacancy on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. Pending Senate confirmation, Anderson will serve out the remainder of the term of the late Commissioner Mack Redford, which runs…
The Otter Administration is proposing a state-funded partial alternative to Medicaid expansion that could deliver basic primary care for 78,000 Idahoans who now have little or no access to health care coverage, Idaho Statesman reporter Bill Dentzer reported over the weekend, at a cost to…
Law enforcement leaders across Idaho are considering whether to seek new laws detailing how they collect and retain video footage and who gets access to the images. The use of body cameras, dash...
Idaho’s general fund tax revenues came in higher than expected in all categories in November, running 3.7 percent ahead of forecasts and 4.4 percent higher than the same month a year earlier. That puts year-to-date state tax collections 0.5 percent ahead of projections, and 5…
You can read my full story here at spokesman.com on how Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s chief lawyer was making $100,755 a year when he left the state last April, but the state’s paid him nearly half again as much just in the past two months.…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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