Idaho Politics - Special coverage at The Spokesman-Review

News > ID Government

Rep. Raybould to retire, endorses granddaughter for his seat

Wed., Jan. 17, 2018

Rep. Raybould to retire, endorses granddaughter for his seat

News > ID Government

‘Instant racing’ ballot measure pushed, but AG says it may be unconstitutional; link to my full story

Tue., Jan. 16, 2018

A proposed ballot initiative to legalize “historical horse racing” – slot machine-like betting terminals at which players bet on randomly selected past horse races – has been submitted to the state, but the Idaho Attorney General’s office has issued an opinion that raises serious questions...

News > ID Government

Idaho’s MLK Day ceremony draws big crowd, recalls King’s words

Mon., Jan. 15, 2018

There’s a big crowd gathered on all floors of the Capitol rotunda today for Idaho’s official Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day ceremony. Today’s ceremony, themed “Find Common Ground,” opened with trumpeting from Boise State University trumpeters; the national anthem sung by Nichole Warner,...

News > ID Government

Ahlquist: $100M promise may not result in Idaho budget cut

Fri., Jan. 12, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist says his high-profile campaign promise to cut $100 million in 100 days if elected to the position may not result in a reduction of the state budget. Ahlquist first announced his plans to trim $100 million of the state budget last year. During a radio interview with KLIX this week, Ahlquist...

News > ID Government

Labrador pushes bill to build wall

Thu., Jan. 11, 2018

Raul Labrador and three other Republicans are introducing a bill that would let some undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children stay for another three years, while also passing a host of other immigration-related measures Republicans have been discussing, including a $30 billion wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and cutting legal...

News > ID Government

Lawmakers mull plan to address state’s severe doctor shortage, Otter hangs back; my full story

Wed., Jan. 10, 2018

Here's my full story from spokesman.com: By Betsy Z. Russell Idaho is severely lacking in doctors, and many of its existing ones are nearing retirement age, Dr. Ted Epperly told lawmakers Wednesday as he presented the state’s new 10-year plan to increase graduate medical education...

News > ID Government

Balukoff launches campaign, as Idaho faces contested primaries for governor in both parties

Wed., Jan. 10, 2018

Businessman and longtime Boise school board president A.J. Balukoff launched his second run for governor of Idaho on Wednesday with an announcement in Pocatello, to be followed by stops in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Ketchum, Boise and Coeur d’Alene this week. “In 2014 when I ran, education was my top issue and Idaho was 50th in funding...

News > ID Government

House, Senate Dems say burden of Otter’s tax-cut proposals would fall on families

Mon., Jan. 8, 2018

House, Senate Dems say burden of Otter's tax-cut proposals would fall on families

News > ID Government

Vick defeats Lakey for Senate assistant majority leader

Mon., Jan. 8, 2018

Vick defeats Lakey for Senate assistant majority leader

News > ID Government

Labrador ups ante on tax-cut proposals to nearly 30% of state budget; my full Sunday column…

Sun., Jan. 7, 2018

Idaho gubernatorial hopeful Raul Labrador, currently the 1st District GOP congressman, released his economic plan late last week, and on top of the $900 million in tax cuts he’s already been advocating, he’s adding another $120 million-plus. Labrador’s “5-5-5 plan” to cut personal and corporate income tax rates and Idaho’s sales tax...