Legislators reshuffle, prep for 2017

A reshuffling of key committee posts at the Idaho Legislature on Thursday brought 10 new members to the panel that writes the state budget, a new Senate tax chairman, a new House education chair and more.

Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston, will take over the Senate tax committee from longtime Chairman Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, who earned a reputation for blocking tax-cut legislation out of concern over school funding. Siddoway will now chair the Senate State Affairs Committee, which tackles hot-button issues ranging from abortion, gun rights and discrimination to liquor and gambling.

“I assume there are a lot of people who are celebrating that I’m not tax chairman anymore,” Siddoway said Thursday/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.