It'd be entirely feasible to privatize liquor sales in Idaho, according to a new state-commissioned report - but that doesn't mean the state would do it. "Usually we're all about privatization," said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, who requested the study by the state Legislature's office…
A Wall Street banker, a lawmaker from Ketchum and an agency director combined to craft a plan to refinance Idaho's $202.4 million in federal loans that have propped up the state's unemployment safety net for thousands of workers broadsided by the recession, AP reporter John…
The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee has just released a new state-commissioned feasibility study on privatizing liquor sales in Idaho. The study, requested by Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, has been in the works since last March. Among the results: Privatization is feasible, but if Idaho were…
Today's House GOP caucus focused on "the overall budget and implications of tax conformity and what that means to the budget," according to House GOP Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly. "We're going to meet again later in the week to receive and discuss some more…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Florida says the Obama administration's health overhaul is unconstitutional, siding with 26 states that had sued to block it. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson on Monday accepted without trial…
House State Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, says he hasn't decided whether or not to allow a hearing on legislation from Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, to amend Idaho's "conscience law" to ensure that patients' living wills and advanced care directives are followed -…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A lawmaker who spearheaded a program to reward Idaho students who graduate from high school early with scholarship money says he no longer wants to limit district participation by size or region. Rep.…
Both the House and Senate majority caucuses have gone into closed-door caucus meetings, as has the House minority caucus; neither house took up its calendar of bills this morning, instead just briefly convening and then adjourning.
One bright spot in an array of down budgets is at Idaho's Veterans Services Division, though it's not in the agency's state funding, which has dropped by 50 percent in recent years. Instead, it's a federal grant: $5 million to expand the Idaho Veterans Cemetery…
After an hour of legal arguments about complicated legal problems with the bill, the Senate State Affairs Committee has voted 7-2, along party lines, to approve SB 1007, legislation targeting labor unions by prohibiting them from subsidizing wages to aid contractors in winning bids. "The…
Rep. Marcus Gibbs, R-Grace, isn't at the state Capitol today, because his son and business partner Josh, 37, was seriously injured in a car accident on Saturday and is now in intensive care in a Salt Lake hospital. Gibbs has appointed former state Rep. Cameron…
The Republican District 31 precinct committee has nominated three candidates to replace Sen. Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, the Idaho State Journal reports - and Rep. Marcus Gibbs, R-Grace, isn't among the three. Gibbs announced two weeks ago that he was seeking the Senate seat, which…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
