On tonight's "Idaho Reports" program on Idaho Public Television, I join Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise; Rep. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello; and Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert; along with BSU political scientist emeritus Jim Weatherby and host Thanh Tan, to discuss the legislative developments of the week. Among…
Though yet another transportation bill was introduced today, Idaho's second-longest legislative session ever is no closer to ending. Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's developments in the Legislature, as the 103rd day of the session gives way to the weekend.…
The four-member House GOP leadership team has issued a statement, saying, "It's time for the Legislature to wrap up its business and go home." They also wrote that while they "respect" Gov. Butch Otter's "convictions," they don't want to raise gax taxes because it's "the…
Gov. Butch Otter, talking with reporters after two bill signing ceremonies this morning, didn't come right out and say the conditional, economically-triggered general fund shift proposal is unacceptable to him as a means of funding transportation, but he sure threw cold water on the idea.…
The House Ways & Means Committee met just now, though no meeting had been scheduled or announced as of the House's adjournment this morning. The leadership panel introduced a new bill to raise registration fees for heavy trucks by 5 percent, as originally proposed in…
With uniformed officers standing by, Gov. Butch Otter and Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, praised legislation today that will help permanently disabled law enforcement officers with health insurance costs for their families. At a formal signing ceremony for the bill, SB 1111, Otter and officers…
The Senate has adjourned its session for this morning, after hearing the news of the death of longtime Idaho lobbyist Allyn Dingel. "It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Allyn Dingel passed away," Sen. Diane Bilyeu, D-Pocatello, told the Senate. She…
House Democrats gathered for a brief open caucus this morning, at which Caucus Chairman Bill Killen, D-Boise, said he just wanted to keep an "ear to the ground" and keep the caucus up to date on the latest. Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, said,…
The House convened this morning at 8:30 Boise time, and was done by 8:45. There were 26 members absent out of the 70-member chamber. When Majority Leader Mike Moyle moved to adjourn until 9:30 on Monday morning, Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti responded, "Mr. Speaker,…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
