Idaho Politics - Special coverage at The Spokesman-Review

News > ID Government

Senate dominoes from Hatch retirement could give Crapo a shot at coveted Finance chair

Wed., Jan. 3, 2018

The news that longtime Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch will retire, rather than seek another term, not only is drawing attention to a possible Mitt Romney run to replace Hatch; it’s also focusing attention on Senate seniority dominoes and chairmanships. Hatch chairs the Senate Finance Committee,...

News > ID Government

Catching up on the news

Tue., Jan. 2, 2018

Catching up on the news

News > ID Government

Labrador votes yes on tax plan, misses others for fundraiser

Tue., Dec. 19, 2017

U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador cast a yes vote for Congress’ tax plan overhaul in Washington D.C. after missing several votes the day before to attend a gubernatorial campaign event in Idaho. The Republican congressman attended the fundraiser Monday and then flew back east that night to make Tuesday’s vote. Labrador declined to comment...

News > ID Government

Labrador, Simpson laud GOP tax bill as it passes House

Tue., Dec. 19, 2017

The U.S. House voted 227-203 in favor of the GOP tax bill today, and Idaho Reps. Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson both lauded the bill; the Senate is expected to vote later today. “Any time we can allow hard-working Idahoans to keep more of their...

News > ID Government

Man wins tied southern Idaho election following recount

Tue., Dec. 19, 2017

A southern Idaho city has filled a council seat after an election that ended in what officials thought was tie and was followed by a coin toss and a recount. The Times-News reports Minidoka County officials recounted ballots Monday, finding Dick Galbraith had won the seat on the Heyburn City Council by one vote...

News > ID Government

Rep. Giddings receives stay in property tax case for military service

Mon., Dec. 18, 2017

Idaho state Rep. Priscilla Giddings has requested and received a stay until April 1, due to military service, of an Ada County notice ordering her to repay the county about $1,200 for claiming a homeowner’s exemption there in 2016 – while also claiming to live in Idaho County, which she represents in the Legislature. Giddings cited a federal law...

News > ID Government

Boise Democrat to challenge Simpson for congressional seat

Mon., Dec. 18, 2017

A Boise Democrat will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in 2018. The Post Register reports that Aaron Swisher announced Saturday he plans on challenging the GOP incumbent in the upcoming election. Swisher, an economist...

News > ID Government

Idaho businesses line up against non-compete law; ‘lie of the year’; and Veyo’s replacement; my full Sun. column…

Sun., Dec. 17, 2017

More than 100 Idaho business leaders, ranging from high-tech CEOs to small-business owners to engineers, marketers and manufacturers, have signed a letter to Gov. Butch Otter and the Idaho Legislature calling for the repeal of a 2016 noncompete law that sharply limits the rights of employees who move to new firms...

News > ID Government

Ahlquist clarifies breaching dams stance after forum

Fri., Dec. 15, 2017

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist's campaign said Friday the Republican businessman has always been against breaching dams along the Snake River despite not stating that position when asked at a recent sportsmen's forum. In an opinion piece published earlier this week, Ahlquist said he would fight to protect Idaho's waters for farmers...

News > ID Government

Regan’s Kootenai County road-easement case goes to Idaho Supreme Court for 3rd time

Fri., Dec. 15, 2017

The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments Friday in a Kootenai County road-easement case that already has prompted a change in state law, but still has left plaintiff Brent Regan without access to a private road he claims he long used as a secondary access to his sprawling property...