House Speaker Scott Bedke issued a statement this afternoon in response to the Idaho Education Network lawsuit ruling yesterday, saying legislative leaders are working on ways to meet schools’ broadband needs this year and to reform Idaho’s procurement practices “to ensure that state contracts are…
After some debate and on divided votes, the House this morning approved two non-binding memorials to Congress, HJM 1 from Rep. Thomas Dayley, R-Boise, urging Congress to submit a Constitutional Amendment called the “regulation freedom amendment” to the states for ratification; and HJM 2, from…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho doctors performing abortions would have to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital under a newly introduced bill. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to introduce the bill Thursday. Republican Sen.…
A Florida company announced today that it’s entering the “historical horse racing” business as a competitor to the current provider of “instant racing” games, Race Tech LLC/AmTote International. The Florida firm’s chief communications officer, Patrick Neely, noted that in the hearings this week on legislation...
The Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Education Association have reached agreement on two school labor-law bills that have had one-year expirations attached to them for the past two years, Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, told the Senate Education Committee this afternoon. They’re jointly co-sponsoring…
A list compiled by the Legislative Budget Office of state agencies receiving broadband and/or video conferencing services under the same Idaho Education Network contract that a court has repeatedly declared illegal shows there are 16 state agencies, plus five public health districts, and they’re paying...
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate Education Committee introduced a bill that would require students to pass a basic civics test to graduate from high school. Republican Sen. Jim Patrick from Twin Falls told the panel Wednesday…
Coeur d’Alene Sen. Mary Souza wants school board candidates to be subject to the same campaign finance disclosure requirements as other candidates for nonpartisan local offices, like candidates city council and community college trustee, Twin Falls Times-News reporter Nathan Brown reports today on his blog,...
Mississippi has the nation’s highest vaccination rate for kindergartners, while Idaho has one of the lowest, reports Idaho EdNews. The reason: Mississippi requires kids to be immunized to attend kindergarten, while Idaho allows broad waivers for parents based on medical, religious or philosophical grounds. All…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials have ruled invalid the first six same-sex marriage licenses issued in the state. The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics determined the couples received the licenses before the 9th…
About 150 sportsmen, many in hunter-orange baseball caps and some in camouflage, are rallying on the Capitol steps today against any sale or transfer of public lands. “We don’t want to risk losing the places where we fill our freezers as well as our hearts,”…
When Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, today proposed sharply increasing fines for violating the Idaho Open Meeting Law, he ran into a buzz saw of opposition from Reps. Vito Barbieri, Pete Nielsen, Brent Crane and Lynn Luker. “Rep. Bateman, I’m appalled at this tenfold increase...
Both the House and Senate have observances scheduled today for Lincoln Day, in celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday today. In the House, 4th graders from Riverstone Elementary School recited the Gettysburg Address; Reps. Robert Anderst and Rich Wills read the Emancipation Proclamation; Reps. Melissa…
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee voted unanimously in favor of HB 75 this morning, to grant a sales tax exemption for prescription glasses and contact lenses. Several Idaho optometrists and the Idaho Retailers Association voiced support for the bill; no one spoke against it....
Idaho Sen. Jim Risch announced today that he’s been named chairman of the energy subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Risch previously was the ranking Republican on the subcommittee. Risch said he’s “honored.” “My appointment to this subcommittee is important to…
Idaho has filed a notice of appeal following 4th District Judge Patrick Owen’s final ruling yesterday squarely against the state in the lawsuit over the Idaho Education Network. Idaho EdNews reporter Kevin Richert reports that Camille Wells of the IEN sent out an email late…
New state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra has hired Brad Foltman, the retired former budget director under five governors, to audit the State Department of Education’s contracting process. Foltman has a 60-day contract for up to $25,000; Tim Corder, special assistant to Ybarra, said the contract…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
