Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how a group of Idaho lawmakers, including freshman Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, is pushing ahead with plans to introduce legislation tomorrow to "nullify" the federal health care reform law, even though an Idaho attorney…
Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, just announced that two bills that are part of state schools Supt. Tom Luna's sweeping education reform plan will be posted on the superintendent's website on Thursday "to give interested parties opportunities to read the bills." Then,…
The Idaho Statesman's Brian Murphy reports that a new Idaho Attorney General's opinion says "nullification" legislation - like the bill in the works in the Idaho House that seeks to "nullify" the federal health care reform law - would violate both the U.S. Constitution and…
Lt. Gov. Brad Little reported to the Senate Transportation Committee today on the findings of the governor's transportation funding task force, which concluded that Idaho's roads and bridges need $543 million worth of work, but that no funding increases should be proposed now in the…
A package of four bills designed to modernize Idaho's state leasing rules for geothermal development on state lands was introduced today, on unanimous votes in the House Resources Committee. "Basically it'll modernize our geothermal leasing statutes, we feel, to incentivize development in a timely manner,"…
Backers of legislation to expand Idaho's discrimination laws to cover sexual orientation and to step up anti-bullying measures in the state are planning a rally Saturday on the Capitol steps. "If you ask, you'll find Idahoans agree: no one should be harassed or bullied at…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Board of Pharmacy says it has no basis to start proceedings against Walgreens in a complaint that alleged one of the drug store's pharmacists in Nampa improperly refused to fill a…
If legislation backed by Coeur d'Alene Sen. John Goedde is enacted, Idaho would rename the stretch of state Highway 3 from I-90 south through St. Maries and to its junction with Highway 12 between Orofino and Lewiston as the "North Idaho Medal of Honor Highway."…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A lawyer has dismissed his own lawsuit against the Idaho State Tax Commission accusing it of dishing out improper deals to politically connected taxpayers. Bob Huntley says his lawsuit, brought originally by Democratic…
"Drive Our Economy," a business group in Idaho and Montana that backs megaload shipments on U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho, released a poll today that it says shows Idahoans back the megaloads too, including those who live near the route. "A similar poll was…
Idaho ranks last in the nation for the number of physicians per capita, Dr. Ted Epperly told JFAC this morning, and is tied for last in the number of primary-care physicians. That's part of the reason the state sponsors programs like the Family Medicine Residency…
Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey has an interesting look today at how state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna sought support from the state's school board members for his reform plan, and at first seemed to have it, but then didn't; it was the only stakeholder…
Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, told ISU President Arthur Vailas, "I am concerned that the unrestricted, unallocated net assets for the universities are as low as they are," and Vailas said, "I have the same concerns you do." Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, said he looks…
ISU President Arthur Vailas said when he arrived at the university, it had hardly any reserves, which lawmakers made clear to him was unacceptable. It now has $7.6 million in net unrestricted assets, he said, though that is only 3.7 percent of its prior year…
Dr. Arthur Vailas, president of Idaho State University, told JFAC this morning that ISU has achieved a high honor, achieving "research university-high" status from the Carnegie Foundation. It was one of very few public universities nationally to increase its status this year, he noted. ISU…
Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, told IPTV general manager Peter Morrill, "This committee got a lot of emails in support of Public TV last year. My question is, if each one of those emails came with a financial contribution you would be in much different financial…
Peter Morrill, general manager of Idaho Public Television, told lawmakers this morning that broadcast television actually is drawing more viewership these days: People are watching an average of 35 hours a week of broadcast TV, but just 20 minutes of online video. He also noted…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
