Sen. Jim Rice’s bill, HB 95, to exempt materials for public roads from the sales tax, as a way to indirectly try to get more money routed to road maintenance by lowering private contractors’ bids, is drawing much debate in the House today. “This appears...
After suspending its rules to take the bill up immediately, the House has voted 68-1 in favor of HB 168, the stopgap funding bill for high school broadband service to replace the defunct Idaho Education Network.
Rep. Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, was listening to state Commerce Director Jeff Sayer present his bill in Rev & Tax today to make changes to the “Tax Reimbursement Incentive Act,” which already is giving big tax credits to companies that add or bring in jobs that...
CenturyLink has issued this statement this morning with regard to the Idaho Education Network, for which it provided the broadband service to Idaho high schools: “CenturyLink will not shut down the IEN on February 22. Because our primary focus is on the students of Idaho…
Legislative budget writers are making the overall decisions this morning that define the starting point for every agency’s budget bill that they will set this year, including one that makes the public school budget tighter than expected. After adopting the governor and joint Economic Outlook…
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, after hearing from five more germane committee chairs this morning, is preparing to set the state budget, and is starting with some overall decisions about how each agency budget bill will be crafted. The biggest: JFAC has voted unanimously to accept…
Former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt, delivering the keynote speech at the Canyon County GOP Lincoln Day banquet last night in Nampa, made waves with a stirring call to action for Republicans on civil rights for gays. Batt recalled his illustrious career as a Republican politician…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Human trafficking victims would be able to petition courts to erase their criminal histories under a new bill recently introduced by an Idaho Senate panel. The Idaho Press-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1AmpEAM ) that the…
In a bizarre bit of news from up north, the financial aid director at North Idaho College has been arrested and charged with soliciting sexual favors on Craigslist in return for student financial aid grants. Joseph Bekken was arrested today on five felony charges, including...
Gov. Butch otter, who returned to the Statehouse late last week after recovering from hip replacement surgery on Jan. 20, sent out a newsletter today saying he’s “fully recuperated.” “After a successful surgery to replace my left hip, I'm feeling better than ever and ready...
Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little wins the prize this year for shortest budget presentation to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee: A mere 12 seconds. Little said, “My office is asking for $164,300, a 4.3 percent increase. Most of it’s the roll-ups, but part of it’s the…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A proposal to increase how much Idaho teachers pay for background checks may be dead, despite a $55,000 deficit looming in the state education department. The House Education Committee voted 8-6 on Wednesday…
Of all the exhibits and displays that go up each year during the legislative session, today’s “Buy Idaho” show is the most extensive, showcasing Idaho products and services on the first, second and third floors of the Capitol rotunda. From candy to screen doors, from…
Gov. Butch Otter has named Kristine Sasser, legal counsel for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, to the commission seat that opened with the retirement of Commissioner Martha Smith; the appointment is effective today. “Over the past seven years, Kristine has distinguished herself as someone who…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The head of Idaho's Senate Education Committee says a highly anticipated plan to boost teacher pay will be revealed soon. Republican Sen. Dean Mortimer of Idaho Falls told the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee…
With the departure yesterday of former Senate Assistant Minority Leader Elliot Werk, D-Boise, to serve on the state Tax Commission, there was an opening in the Senate minority leadership. That was officially filled this morning, with Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, moving up from caucus chair…
Legislation to consolidate Idaho’s public records law, open meeting law, and ethics in government laws into a single new title called “Transparent and Ethical Government” cleared the House State Affairs Committee this morning and headed to the full House. The two bills, HB 90 and…
The Idaho State Police requested 21 new officers next year – 15 for patrol and six investigators. Gov. Butch Otter is recommending just six, all for patrol. “ISP is not able to provide consistent 24-hour patrol coverage on our state’s highways and interstates,” ISP Director…
The Joint-Finance Appropriations Committee is hearing from germane committee chairs from both houses today, as it prepares to begin setting budgets for state agencies; a public hearing is scheduled for Friday morning. Among the highlights so far: House Transportation Chairman Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, was asked…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho legislative panel is considering a bill to add people convicted of violent crimes — such as murder, kidnapping and felony domestic violence — to the state's sex offender registry. The House…
Whew – what a news day! Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today’s 25-9 vote in the Senate to repeal “instant racing” in Idaho, and here’s a link to my full story on today’s JFAC action on stopgap funding for broadband...
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho jurors in lengthy trials could soon be getting a raise. The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to introduce a bill that would pay jurors $50 per day if…
The Idaho Democratic Party’s Legislative District 17 central committee is inviting immediate applications for the Idaho Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Elliot Werk, D-Boise, who was appointed to the Idaho State Tax Commission today by Gov. Butch Otter, and resigned his Senate seat to...
Education Networks of America, the company that’s managed the Idaho Education Network since it was awarded the multimillion-dollar contract by the state in 2009, has sent a letter out to Idaho school districts offering to work with them on individual, short-term contracts under the stopgap…
John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, operator of Les Bois Park just west of Boise, issued a statement this afternoon in response to the Senate’s 25-9 vote in favor of SB 1011, repealing “instant racing,” in which he maintained that the slot machine-like machines…