January 25, 2016
Idaho Capitol Building
The Idaho legislature wound down to a close last week. Here are some key takeaways: · Several proposals to deal with the state Medicaid gap surfaced. None passed. · Lawmakers passed one of the biggest tax cuts in state history. · A national debate on school safety made its way into the legislature. · K-12 science education standards referencing climate change survived a rocky journey.
April 4, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
In a matter of three days, a controversial anti-trespassing bill was amended and, with amendments, passed by the Idaho Senate and the House. To become law, HB 658 just needs to be signed by the governor. The bill, which has received hours of testimony and debate in public hearings, increases penalties for trespass and ultimately overhauls current civil trespassing laws.
March 26, 2018 11:12 a.m. read more..
The “Child Protective Act,” also known as the “Foster Care Improvement Act” passed the Idaho House March 20 at a vote of 67-0. A trailer bill allocating $88,000 — with $32,000 ongoing — to fund the act passed both the House and Senate with little opposition. Both bills have now been delivered to the governor for final consideration.
March 23, 2018 4:11 p.m. read more..
The Idaho House voted against a motion Thursday, March 22, to consider a bill funding family planning services for low-income women, marking another stalemate in legislative action to help the state’s health insurance gap population. HB 563 has been on the House Reading Calendar for weeks and its consideration was delayed until April 1 — after the legislature hopes to adjourn. A motion to move the bill to the top of the Third Reading Calendar failed on a 14-55 vote.
March 22, 2018 3:15 p.m. read more..
The Idaho Health Care Plan, HB 464, which directed the state to apply for two waivers from the Affordable Care Act through the federal government, was sent back to committee on a 42-27 vote in the Idaho House Wednesday, March 21. House Health & Welfare Committee Chairman Fred Wood, who made the motion Wednesday to send it back to committee, said in floor debate that delaying a full vote would allow for the bill to be improved before the next legislative session. He further argued passing the bill would “not go anywhere this year,” and that voting on it this session would hurt its chance to pass.
March 22, 2018 9:48 a.m. read more..
A bill increasing the child tax credit created under this year’s sweeping $100 million state tax cut, cutting an additional $25 million in revenues, is headed to Idaho Gov. Butch Otter. The Senate passed HB 675, increasing the child tax credit from $130 to $205, on a 33-1 vote Wednesday, March 21.
March 21, 2018 noon read more..
Idaho lawmakers passed one of the biggest tax cuts in years, but a last-minute proposal to tweak it is moving quickly through the legislative process. HB 675 cleared the Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee on a unanimous voice vote Tuesday, March 20. The bill would modify the previously approved tax cut, HB 463, to include more tax relief for families.
March 21, 2018 10:41 a.m. read more..
Idaho lawmakers have approved the adult completer scholarship bill. SB 1279 cleared the Idaho House on a narrow 37-32 vote Monday, March 19, with much debate over the merits of its allocation of up to 20 percent of the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship’s funds — which lawmakers increased from $10 million to $13.5 million — for adults going back to finish their degrees. It previously cleared the Senate on a 25-10 vote.
March 21, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
Passed 26-9 last Thursday, March 1, House Bill 463 – believed to be the largest tax cut in state history – will cut $160 million in lowering the personal and business income tax rates, and an additional $40 million by creating a new non-refundable state $130-per-qualifying-child tax credit. Additionally, it reduces both the personal income tax rate (in all brackets) and the corporate income tax rate by 0.475 percent.
March 7, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
A bill to ban state funded agencies from paying lobbyists failed to clear an Idaho House panel Monday, March 5. The bill was the second attempt this year by Rep. Priscilla Giddings to ban state agencies from lobbying. Her first bill would have banned agency employees from lobbying on legislation was introduced, but it never received a public hearing.
March 7, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
The Idaho House Education Committee passed a bill last Friday, March 2, that would create a Rural Support Network for Idaho schools. This is the third year in a row Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra has pushed for the network, which has never been approved.
March 5, 2018 9:17 a.m. read more..
The Idaho Senate Education Committee passed a bill to put up to a fifth of the opportunity scholarship towards adults returning to college. SB 1279, the adult completer scholarship, came as a recommendation from Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, who is also pushing to add five million dollars to the nearly $10.2 million fund.
February 26, 2018 11:13 a.m. read more..
House Bill 531, on extending medical amnesty in Idaho, passed the Idaho House Feb. 22.
February 26, 2018 10:46 a.m. read more..
Bill sponsor Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, who is the father of an infant, said he believes Idaho should have passed this legislation long ago. “Personally, I find it disappointing,” Amador said.
February 26, 2018 10:44 a.m. read more..
A bill that would make possession of marijuana an infraction rather than a misdemeanor in certain cases was held in an Idaho House committee Feb. 21. Bill sponsor Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, told the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee that the bill provides a way for young people who make a mistake to get a second chance.
February 23, 2018 5:37 p.m. read more..
A bill that would prevent rape victims’ insurance from being charged for the cost of sexual assault evidence kits passed the Idaho House Feb. 21 with a 67-1 vote. Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, who sponsored House Bill 429, said sexual assault is the only crime that has the victim bear “the burden of criminal justice investigation and costs.”
February 23, 2018 5:18 p.m. read more..
A bill repealing the sunset clause on Medical Amnesty and making the law permanent was given a do-pass recommendation by an Idaho House panel Monday. “It’s a good piece of legislation,” said Rep. Caroline Troy, R-Genesee. “It’s helping our schools and our universities.”
February 19, 2018 5:41 p.m. read more..
A concurrent resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was given a do-pass recommendation by the Senate Resources and Environment Committee Feb. 12. "It is just in recognition of their good work and the benefits that have come to Idaho because of it,” Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, said.
February 17, 2018 2:26 p.m. read more..
Much of the opposition focused on not allowing 18-year-olds, who are adults under the law, to have full autonomy. “Maybe we have the age of changing from being a minor being wrong. But, as long as we have it as this age, I believe that we have to leave this decision, along with those other life-altering choices that we can make… at this age as well,” said Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens.
February 17, 2018 2:19 p.m. read more..
Among removing the grocery tax, the bill would cut individual income taxes by half a percent for all brackets, slash business income taxes for large corporations from 7.4 to 5 percent and eliminate the grocery tax credit. “This particular option really reflects the best policy of Idaho,” said Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton, who sponsored the bill. “It helps families and it helps bring in business by reducing the tax rate.”
February 17, 2018 2:17 p.m. read more..
The Idaho House passed a bill to exempt minors working for immediate family members from minimum wage laws in a 60-9 vote Tuesday. Current state law offers minimum wage exemptions for minors working on family farms and for 16-year olds working part-time less than four hours a day. HB 466, sponsored by Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, would expand that to family businesses.
February 17, 2018 2:16 p.m. read more..
In child protection cases, upon entering a court room, the future of a child is often in the hands of adults representing them. However, there is a shortage of adult volunteer advocates, according to an Idaho Office of Performance Evaluation report.
February 16, 2018 2:12 p.m. read more..
The Idaho House passed a bill to exempt minors working for immediate family members from minimum wage laws in a 60-9 vote Tuesday. Current state law offers minimum wage exemptions for minors working on family farms and for 16-year olds working part-time less than four hours a day. HB 466, sponsored by Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, would expand that to family businesses.
February 14, 2018 12:58 p.m. read more..
The bill introduced by an Idaho House panel Monday, Feb. 12, would prohibit Idaho from entering into a contract with a company without written certification that the company is not boycotting Israel and will not do so for the duration of the contract. At least 15 states have passed similar legislation.
February 12, 2018 3:16 p.m. read more..
While the committee ultimately voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, S1208 did generate concern about the wages paid to inmate workers and their insurance coverage. “These (people) are working a long, hard, eight-hour day… so are you going to pay them more?” asked Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth.
February 9, 2018 4:56 p.m. read more..
An Idaho House panel introduced a bill Feb. 6 to remove a mandatory literacy screening test for Idaho students because it could be used inappropriately. In 2014, a subcommittee analyzed current state policies around increasing literacy rates. House Education Committee Chair Julie VanOrden said the group received a report that found that the Idaho Reading Indicator was being used incorrectly.
February 9, 2018 4:46 p.m. read more..
An Idaho Senate panel introduced a bill Friday that would expand permit-less concealed carry of guns to non-Idaho residents. The bill would expand 2016 legislation that allowed Idaho residents 21 and older to concealed carry without a permit in city limits. Schools, jails and courthouses are exempt from the law.
February 9, 2018 4:42 p.m. read more..
A Senate panel passed a bill Feb. 6 that would remove the requirement that Idaho seniors take a math class. Students would still be required to take six semesters of math even if SB 1266 became law. The State Board of Education has to write a rule change on the senior math requirement. Senate Education Committee Vice Chair Steven Thayn’s bill would only change Idaho code.
February 9, 2018 4:41 p.m. read more..
The Idaho House Education Committee voted 12-4 Feb. 7 to partially adopt new science standards, removing one section on climate change and earth science and removing all supporting content in the science standards. The other science standards were approved.
February 9, 2018 4:39 p.m. read more..
Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter rejected a line item in his budget proposal that college administrators predict would help slow tuition increases at Idaho four-year public universities. Otter left this and most higher education line items out of his budget to focus on funding “student-centric and system-wide needs,” as recommended by the higher education taskforce.
February 9, 2018 4:37 p.m. read more..
Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, moved to send the bill to general orders to modify it by adding an elimination to the grocery tax. That motion failed in a 24-46 vote. Moyle called Scott’s motion a “hostile move against the bill,” to which she responded, “This is not a hostile debate. The citizens of Idaho want a grocery tax repeal.”
February 9, 2018 4:29 p.m. read more..
The bill, SB 1267, would recognize public school and public charter school students who complete more science and math classes than the three years required by the state.
February 9, 2018 4:26 p.m. read more..
“Larger urban areas like ours, Ada County, are doing well because we have larger orgs and non-profits who do fundraising and help out,” she told the House Transportation & Defense Committee. “But, some rural communities might need a little more assistance.”
February 9, 2018 4:23 p.m. read more..
“The main reason behind this is that we have seen at work on campus. Myself as a student — I’m a sophomore at the University of Idaho — I’ve seen it at work,”
February 9, 2018 4:21 p.m. read more..
The liberty legislators’ announcement comes two days after the House passed HB 463, Otter’s tax cut bill, and after a committee sent the Idaho Health Care Plan to the House floor. It also comes just one legislative day before the deadline for committee bill introduction.
February 9, 2018 4:17 p.m. read more..
“I can only vote on the bill that’s in front of me, and the bill that’s in front of me is a very substantial improvement on the status quo and it will get people really needed care,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Ilana Rubel.
February 9, 2018 4:13 p.m. read more..
Electric bicycles and license and registration fees were the topics of the Idaho House Transportation and Defense Committee Feb. 6.
February 9, 2018 3:33 p.m. read more..
The bill would make birth control more accessible to women who have difficulties picking it up that frequently
February 9, 2018 3:30 p.m. read more..
Drivers in Idaho under 21 would be most affected if the bill were to become law. While the bill provides exceptions for most drivers, under-21-year-olds would only be able to legally use mobile devices in cases of emergency, such as reporting an accident or reckless driving.
February 9, 2018 3:24 p.m. read more..
“What we’re seeing more and more with research coming out nationally about suicide prevention is the importance of what we call getting further upstream,” she said. “So, in my mind, I almost think of it as pre-prevention work — how do we prevent children from becoming suicidal in the first place.”
February 7, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
If the bill becomes law, Idaho would be the sixth state to raise the smoking age to 21. California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon have made the age 21. Utah has made the age 19 and has tried several times to raise the age to 21.
February 2, 2018 5:55 p.m. read more..
Alexandria Kincaid, legal counsel for the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, told the committee the legislation was prompted by Idaho being ranked in the bottom 10 states for gun rights by the Guns and Ammo magazine. “The ranking in a magazine is not a good reason to change our laws as opposed to problems with the law in the state of Idaho,” Monks said.
February 2, 2018 5:53 p.m. read more..
The bill, H 463, would conform to federal tax code for fiscal 2018, implementing a .475 percent income tax cut for individuals and corporations. Individuals are holistically expected to pay roughly $100 million more when changes to all exemptions and deductions are factored in.
February 2, 2018 5:52 p.m. read more..
Traveling slow in the left lane on interstates in Idaho may soon result in a fine. A bill to make impeding traffic for “an unreasonable amount of time” on controlled access highways, like interstates and freeways, an infraction was approved for consideration by a House panel Jan. 30.
February 2, 2018 5:50 p.m. read more..
A bill to legalize prescription use of CBD oil was approved for consideration by the Idaho House Health & Welfare committee Thursday. The legislation, RS25862, was proposed by Rep. Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, and would legalize use and possession of CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, if prescribed by a licensed practitioner or physician.
February 2, 2018 5:49 p.m. read more..
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signed an unemployment tax relief bill Jan. 31, the first legislation signed this session. Employers are expected to save $115 over the next three years. The bill would reduce the unemployment fund size multiplier and reduce employer’s taxable wage rate for unemployment insurance taxes
February 2, 2018 5:41 p.m. read more..
The plan, which calls for a dual-waiver approach to reduce soaring healthcare premiums, was approved for consideration in a 10-1 vote by a House panel Jan. 30. The proposal’s addition comes amid federal lawsuits challenging the legality of work requirements. The suits argue congressional action is necessary to enact the requirements.
February 2, 2018 5:39 p.m. read more..
“You’re legislators, not scientists…. What I’m asking of the committee is to trust decisions about science standards to those who do. To the scientists, teachers and experts who stay current on the literature, who study how people learn...".
February 2, 2018 5:38 p.m. read more..
Idaho businesses who employ immediate family members who are minors may soon be able to pay them less than minimum wage. A bill that would add immediate family members under 18-years-old to the minimum wage exemption law was introduced by the Idaho House Business committee Jan. 30 with two dissenters.
February 2, 2018 5:35 p.m. read more..
“Maybe there’s some new research that has taken place,” Assistant Majority Leader Cherie Buckner-Webb said referencing last year’s bill, “but there’s no scientific data, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, to say that this was effective.”
February 2, 2018 5:16 p.m. read more..
The punishment for purchasing sex in Idaho currently is a misdemeanor on the first and second offense. The third offense is a felony. In no other U.S. state is purchasing sex a felony on the first offense. “This would be landmark,” Crane said. “You guys would be on the forefront combatting human trafficking.”
February 2, 2018 4:55 p.m. read more..
Wasden told the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee that the ICAC Task Force is unable to keep up with the number of cases it receives, especially in North Idaho.
February 2, 2018 4:42 p.m. read more..
The Idaho House Education Committee voted Monday, Jan. 29, to introduce a bill that would encourage schools to establish and maintain a firearms safety education course. Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, who brought forth RS25793, said Idaho law is not clear on whether schools are permitted to teach gun safety, causing confusion for educators who may want to provide such training.
January 29, 2018 5:51 p.m. read more..
On Monday, Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, said it is time for Idaho to support breastfeeding moms. The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted unanimously to introduce Amador’s bill, which would exempt breastfeeding mothers from the section of law outlining public indecency and nudity.
January 29, 2018 5:46 p.m. read more..
"We would lose, in some schools ¬– without the standardized form – the ability to understand that the parents know that in the case of an outbreak that their child needs to be excluded..."
January 26, 2018 5:55 p.m. read more..
House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, argued if Nate really held that view point, he should support a constitutional amendment to change that statute. “If you want to argue it’s about the constitution, then do it. But, don’t hide behind the constitution to be discriminatory,” Erpelding said.
January 26, 2018 5:53 p.m. read more..
"We welcome our new citizens, but we must realize there will be impacts on our cities, counties, state agencies and the judiciary which must be faced...." -- Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick
January 26, 2018 5:51 p.m. read more..
“This ask gives great respect to the culture of our state,” Ybarra said. “There are thousands of children who will positively benefit from these rural networks.”
January 26, 2018 5:49 p.m. read more..
Money would go toward an estimated $5 million in upgrades to infrastructure to maintain required water levels for the lake in years with less water, and to repair the breakwater entrance
January 26, 2018 5:47 p.m. read more..
The bill that would allow inmates to work in all areas of agriculture passed the Idaho Senate Wednesday, Jan. 24. S1208, introduced by Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, passed almost unanimously, with only one dissenter.
January 26, 2018 5:43 p.m. read more..
"There’s no reason for that to be on the card to identify the person. It has created some problems with society now, so we’d just like to have that removed from the registration card…"
January 26, 2018 5:40 p.m. read more..
"To say it’s alright to allow children to die from a lack of medical attention by relying on faith healing, but adults must have medical attention is unconscionable"
January 26, 2018 5:39 p.m. read more..
There has recently not been enough interest in elections board positions in certain counties to meet demand, Kelli Brassfield, the Idaho Association of Counties government affairs associate, told the committee.
January 26, 2018 5:34 p.m. read more..
"Fish and game is a pretty important agency that oversees the national wildlife in your district. If legislation were to come forward that would be harmful to the management of those species inside your district, I think you would want at least someone from that agency to be able to come forward to tell you why that is not a good idea” -- Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane
January 26, 2018 5:33 p.m. read more..
The Idaho State Board of Education voted to support Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation to employee a higher education “CEO” Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18. The executive officer would be the state’s highest paid governmental employee not working at a higher education institution, making $200,000 plus benefits.
January 24, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
Agency heads presented the Idaho Health Care Plan at a special hearing of the legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee last Monday, Jan. 15, and the Idaho Health & Welfare Committee voted to introduce a bill to allow the state to seek waivers needed under the plan. The health care proposal calls for Idaho to ask the federal government for two waivers.
January 24, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
State Tax Commission Tax Policy Specialist Tom Shaner said Friday the fiscal impact for reducing the medical expense threshold is expected to have a negative fiscal impact of $6.4 million.
January 24, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
A bill that would allow inmates to work in all areas of agriculture passed the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee Friday, Jan. 19. The bill, brought forward by Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, eliminates the words “perishable” and “food” in the section of Idaho law pertaining to inmate labor in agriculture. The eliminations would significantly expand the agricultural industries inmates would be able to work in.
January 24, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
"Idaho is prosperous, positive, and poised for even better times ahead. Our population is growing fast. Our citizens are striving for a future with more opportunities and even brighter prospects"
January 17, 2018 6 a.m. read more..
The grocery tax is one everybody has to pay, poor and rich alike, Crabtree said, “and it probably isn’t a very fair tax, and it’s not a tax that other states have for that reason. It would have eliminated taxes on the same food products that qualify under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the dietary staples everyone needs.”
April 19, 2017 6 a.m. read more..The Idaho Legislature wrapped up its 2016 session this week after legislators addressed some significant last minute bills - with topics ranging from abortion to tax cuts - and gave tributes to their retiring coworkers.
March 30, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Idaho’s debate on providing healthcare coverage to around 78,000 Idahoans who live without it drew the 2016 legislative session into its eleventh and final week. The legislature passed nothing. They adjourned last Friday, March 25, shortly after a party-line vote in which the House of Representatives killed the final healthcare proposal introduced this session, which would have appropriated $5.4 million for a grant program to support clinics, and was amended to include a request for a Medicaid waiver that the legislature could consider next year.
March 30, 2016 6 a.m. read more..A plan to share resources between K-12 schools created by Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra was introduced directly to the floor without the usual hearing process, Friday, March 18, in a reappearance of the plan, which has been absent since Ybarra first presented the it earlier in the session.
March 23, 2016 4:17 p.m. read more..A bill to make it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation for cancer passed the Idaho State Senate unanimously on Thursday, March 17, following a 65-3 vote in the House of Representatives the week before. Various forms of the bill have failed to pass the legislature over the last 16 years.
March 23, 2016 4:15 p.m. read more..“The fear of repercussion actually hinders students from calling for medical assistance,” said Tanner Beymer, one of the University of Idaho students who brought the bill to the legislature.
March 16, 2016 6 a.m. read more..
A controversial bill allowing the creation of a specialty license plate featuring the Orofino High School Maniacs mascot narrowly passed the Idaho House last Tuesday, March 8, in a roller coaster of a vote that was locked in twice.
March 16, 2016 6 a.m. read more..The Senate State Affairs Committee late last month sent a bill to the 14th order for amendments that would codify the legality of Bible references in Idaho public schools. Senate bill 1342, sponsored by District 7 Senator Sheryl Nuxoll (R), would spell out a right already legal in Idaho to reference the Bible in public schools. The bill would not require students to use religious texts for reference purposes if they or their parents objected.
March 9, 2016 1:13 p.m. read more..The Idaho State Legislature's budget committee set the K-12 schools budget last Monday, Feb. 29, at a 6.8 percent increase over last year’s, but several policy items remain pending. More funding will likely come in the form of "trailer bills" bringing the increase up to around 7.4 percent, still short of the governor's proposed 7.9.
March 9, 2016 1:11 p.m. read more..Senate Pro-Tem Brent Hill (R), District 34, and Speaker of the House Scott Bedke (R), District 27, gave their takes on issues affecting the Idaho legislature including education, healthcare, LGBT rights, and Donald Trump at the Idaho Press Club’s annual Headliner’s Lunch Tuesday. Sen. Hill said funding education is the greatest accomplishment of the Idaho legislature this session.
March 2, 2016 12:06 p.m. read more..A bill that would allow patients with a terminal diagnosis to try investigation drugs has been sent to the House floor for approval. Last Tuesday, Feb. 23, the House Health and Welfare Committee passed a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to voluntarily try investigation drugs tested by the Federal Drug Administration.
March 2, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Attorney George Wentz on Monday told the Idaho legislature that federal ownership makes states weaker than states that have little federal land – and that the constitution does not allow the federal government to make any state weaker than the others. “Is Idaho weaker than New York because Idaho doesn’t have dominion over all its land? Actually, it is,” Wentz said.
March 2, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Each of the last three sessions at the state legislature, suction dredge miners have pushed for legislation to roll back state and federal regulation of their practice. With a voice vote last Tuesday, Feb. 23, the House Natural Resources Committee opted not to advance the dredgers’ latest proposal.
March 2, 2016 6 a.m. read more..The Senate Education Committee introduced to the floor a bill that would establish a start-up account to convert Eastern Idaho Technical College to a community college in a 7-2 vote last Thursday, Feb 25. The same day, Gov C. L. “Butch” Otter announced the State Board of Education approved the creation of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine.
March 2, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Idaho House and Senate Education Committees chairmen made their pitches to the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee last week, laying a more focused foundation for the legislature’s education priorities this session. Senator Dean M. Mortimer (R), District 30, quoted one sentence from every member of the Senate Education Committee in his presentation, some general, some stating specific desired priorities for the rest of the session.
February 24, 2016 5:19 p.m. read more..Early learning had the spotlight last week as supporters of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children rallied on the statehouse steps donning red scarves, and children played with blocks in the rotunda for BLOCK Fest, all in the name of promoting pre-kindergarten education.
February 17, 2016 6 a.m. read more..BOISE — The Idaho House Transportation and Defense Committee was torn last Thursday after representatives from Orofino High School asked the committee for permission to create a new specialty state license plate that would include the school’s mascot - the Orofino Maniacs. Five people testified against the bill, claiming the mascot - a cartoon man screaming and wearing the school’s letters - is offensive to people with mental illness.
February 10, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Approximately 78,000 employed Idahoans cannot afford health insurance and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, leaving them without sufficient health care, according to estimates from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Expanding Medicaid to cover this population would have closed the gap, but the plan has seen political resistance due to the Affordable Care Act.
February 10, 2016 6 a.m. read more..During "Education Week" at the Idaho State Capitol, Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra requested a 7.5 percent increase in the public education budget over last year, for a total request of $1,577,904,100. Idaho's eight colleges and universities presented their budget proposals to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and updated the education committees on their activities.
February 3, 2016 6 a.m. read more..The Idaho State Legislative session is a time of year when we see many rallies on the Capitol steps in support or opposition of legislation. The weather didn’t stop the protesters at the marijuana rally, nor did it stop the protesters at the next rally a couple weeks later, which had a much larger turnout despite rain.
January 27, 2016 6 a.m. read more..The Idaho Legislature kicked off its session with the State of the State address and civil discourse training last week. Following Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s address last Monday, Jan. 11, Senator Sheryl Nuxoll (R, Cottonwood), District 7, said the governor’s proposed expenditures, including a 7.9 percent increase to the state’s education budget could impact her region in the coming legislative session.
January 20, 2016 6 a.m. read more..Information from the Free-Press and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
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