On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” program on Idaho Public Television, I join Jim Weatherby, Rebecca Boone and hosts Melissa Davlin and Aaron Kunz for a discussion of the events of the legislative session’s second week, and Kunz interviews House Speaker Scott Bedke and Senate President Pro-Tem…
Federal Election Commission lawyers urged a federal judge not to heed former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's contention that regulators are being too hard on him — and to force him to pay nearly $360,000 in fines and restitution for tapping campaign accounts for his legal…
The American Civil Liberties Union warned lawmakers Friday that they risk paying hundreds of thousands more in legal fees if they back rules governing Capitol protests that so far have been challenged successfully in federal court by the free-speech activist group, the AP reports. A…
Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are co-sponsoring legislation to let those with a state concealed gun permit carry a concealed weapon in other states, too, as long at the state they’re in allows or doesn’t prohibit concealed carrying of firearms. “Idahoans and law-abiding…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter today applauded the proposals of the state's justice reinvestment project, calling the plan a "no-brainer." “While our crime rate is among the lowest in the nation, our recidivism rate is increasing,” Otter said. “This framework outlines a variety of sensible changes…
Legislative budget writers held a special hearing this morning on the transition of the Idaho Correctional Center south of Boise from private operation by the Corrections Corp. of America to state operation by July 1. The shift will require a supplemental appropriation – an additional…
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has voted unanimously to accept the report of the CEC Committee for 2 percent average pay boosts for state workers next year, though it won’t make the final call on budget-setting figures until Feb. 12. “That money has to come from…
The co-chairmen of the Legislature’s joint Change in Employee Compensation Committee are presenting the committee’s recommendation to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning, which calls for an average 2 percent pay boost for state workers next year – 1 percent permanent, and 1 percent in…
Confusion reigned in the Senate State Affairs Committee this morning, where the state Department of Administration brought rules for approval governing use of the exterior of the Capitol grounds and the Capitol Mall area – the same rules that were, in part, ruled unconstitutional by…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
