The Associated Press reports that Idaho Tax Commission Chairman Royce Chigbrow allegedly tried to use his position to help a friend embroiled in a dispute with a former employer. The allegations, revealed in emails and documents that the AP obtained under the Idaho Public Records…
Sun, clouds, sparkling cold fresh air and a couple feet of fluffy powder right in Boise's backyard made Bogus Basin a great place to be while on staycation this week - especially today.
The Bank of America still wants two of Tamarack Resort's ski lifts back as part of bankruptcy proceedings, and is accusing the troubled resort of holding the lifts hostage to extract more money for its assets. Click below for a full report from AP reporter…
A state hearing officer has ruled in favor of granting permits to ConocoPhillips to transport its four proposed megaloads of oil refinery equipment across U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho, denying the appeal of 13 residents and business owners along the twisting, scenic route who…
Though unsuccessful Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keith Allred says he'll be focusing on business consulting work for the next two to three years, Allred says the "Common Interest" citizen lobbying group he formed isn't done, and he still hopes to expand it nationwide. You can read…
Idaho's state Land Board has paid more than a quarter-million dollars since 2007 to one of the state's top Republican operatives for a public relations campaign, but officials say the state's getting a great deal. "We're very happy with the results so far," said Idaho…
A North Idaho political activist and backer of embattled Rep. Phil Hart is trying to file a House ethics complaint against Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake - though only House members can file such complaints. Anderson filed an ethics complaint against Hart last month, charging…
State hearing officer Merlyn Clark confirmed today that the decision on ITD permits for ConocoPhillips' four proposed megaloads on U.S. Highway 12 won't be out before Christmas as earlier planned, and instead likely will be out before the New Year holiday. Clark is weighing two…
As the 2011 Legislature and a tough session of budget setting approach, Idaho Department of Correction director Brent Reinke is talking up his agency's successes, the AP reports. In an op-ed piece, Reinke touted his efforts to reduce recidivism. In Idaho, 62 percent of all…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Attorney T.J. Angstman says his Boise-based law firm will acquire U.S. Rep.-elect Raul Labrador's immigration practice in a deal expected to close this week. Labrador, an immigration attorney with offices in Boise and…
Tamarack Resort owner Jean-Pierre Boespflug said today that he's selected Green Valley Holdings of Eagle to buy the Valley County ski resort, a move that could kick off additional bidding for the bankrupt golf and ski resort. That firm's Matthew Hutcheson announced earlier a $40…
Here's some insight into why the Land Board yesterday extended current state-owned lake cabin site rental rates for another year before kicking in a big increase, from 2.5 percent of value to 4 percent of value, in 2012: State law requires six months notice to…
Idaho is the fourth-fastest-growing state, according to 2010 Census results released today, even though the state's population growth in the past decade was slower than the previous decade. Idaho gained 21 percent more residents for a 2010 population of 1,567,582, which is 273,629 more than…
Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch said today that legislation to remove wolves from endangered species protection likely won't be considered again this year, after an effort they joined today failed. The two joined senators from Wyoming and Utah to offer a bill for…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the state Land Board's decisions today about state-owned lake cabin sites at Priest Lake and Payette Lake. The state will take public comments for 90 days, starting Thursday, on a plan to get out of…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said the lawsuit in 4th District Court in which he challenged proposed cabin-site leases still is alive, despite today's Land Board action; it will look first at the constitutionality of the entire state law under which Idaho has been leasing…
Secretary of State Ben Ysursa's motion, setting cabin-site rents for 2012 and the following nine years at 4 percent of current value, has passed unanimously. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said the motion will increase revenue to the state endowment beneficiaries by $5.7 million over the…
Secretary of State Ben Ysursa has now moved to set state endowment cabin-site rents at 4 percent of value for 2012 and the following nine years, after a one-year freeze next year. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden seconded the motion. Ysursa said it supersedes the board's…
With the state facing an injunction against proposed new cabin-site lease terms, the state Land Board has just voted 4-1 to approve a one-year extension of current lease terms for state endowment land cottage sites on Priest and Payette lakes. That leaves rents at 2.5…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden moved, and Secretary of State Ben Ysursa seconded, to adopt the state Lands Department's recommendation: A 90-day public comment period on a plan to dispose of the state's lakefront cottage sites over a number of years. The motion passed unanimously.
The proposed plan before the Land Board to dispose of leased-out lakefront cottage sites anticipates current lessees having three options: Join in an exchange, enter a voluntary public auction with credit for the value of their improvements and the opportunity for installment payments, or continue…
Idaho should "dispose of the cottage sites in an orderly and expeditious manner," according to a report now being presented to the state Land Board. However, Lands Department staffer Kate Langford said first, the department is recommending opening a 90-day public comment period - starting…
After state endowment manager Larry Johnson concluded, "There is no compelling fiduciary reason for the Land Board to increase the distribution rate" to endowment beneficiaries - the largest of which is the state's public schools - state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna said he had…
The state Endowment Fund Investment Board is recommending that the state stick with its current distribution rate of 5 percent for payouts to endowment beneficiaries, including public schools, rather than increase it. "Our past experience leads to caution," endowment manager Larry Johnson told the Land…
The state Land Board has convened in the Idaho Capitol Auditorium this morning, with agenda items including addressing the issue of the "split estate" - the situation in which the state owns lakefront cabin sites, but private owners own the cabins they build and use…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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