The Senate has voted unanimously in favor of SB 1141, the emergency road-repair bill that shifts $52 million to weather-related repairs in the current budget year. “It’s an unusual year … and the damage is not done,” said Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, co-chair of the…
Though more than two dozen people were signed up to testify on Sen. Marv Hagedorn’s $10 million health care bill, none were allowed to speak this afternoon; by the time Senate Health & Welfare Chairman Lee Heider took up the bill, the last item on...
Gov. Butch Otter and legislative leaders today announced a $3.4 million settlement with Education Networks of America and CenturyLink over the now-defunct Idaho Education Network, a broadband network that sought to link all the state’s high schools. In return for the state payment, the firms...
Legislation to increase awareness about a virus that is one of the leading causes of birth defects and a threat to patients with impaired immune systems is headed to the governor's desk. The Idaho House voted 59-10 on Thursday to allocate $15,000 to distribute information to schools, child care providers and other programs on how to prevent...
The House Ways & Means Committee voted unanimously today to introduce legislation from Reps. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, and Sally Toone, D-Gooding, to grant up to $3,000 a year in student loan forgiveness for up to four years for teachers or counselors who go to work…
Surplus general funds would continue to be funneled to transportation projects in Idaho for another five years under a newly introduced plan. Rep. Joe Palmer, chairman of the House Transportation and Defense Committee, pitched his so-called surplus eliminator proposal to the House Ways and Means...
Coeur d’Alene Sen. Mary Souza’s bill to move school board elections from May of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years – to coincide with big elections like those for president and governor – was the target of multiple amendments in the Senate today. But...
Legislative budget writers have set a budget for the Idaho Department of Correction next year that reflects a 2.3 percent increase in state general funds and a drop of 0.1 percent in total funds, and the number of additional probation and parole officers to be…
Rep. Luke Malek’s liquor license reform bill has been held at the desk in the House by Speaker Scott Bedke. “I’m working as hard as I can to get it moving,” Malek said this morning. He said there’s some question about to which committee the…
Gov. Butch Otter’s proposal for a $35 million higher-ed construction program next year has won unanimous approval in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. The legislative budget committee voted 20-0 in favor of a budget for the Permanent Building Fund this morning that includes the $35 million…
With no discussion or questions, JFAC has voted 20-0 in favor of a budget for the state Department of Administration for next year that reflects Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation, including setting aside up to $1 million to purchase an office building on Sixth Street near...