A busy Friday in the Statehouse…
Fridays typically are slow days in the Idaho Legislature, but not this morning. JFAC is debating and setting the complex Health & Welfare budget this morning, and after that, is scheduled to set the budget for the state Tax Commission for next year - including a plan to restore furlough days for Tax Commission workers in addition to adding more temporary audit workers, in an effort to bring in $19 million more in state tax revenue next year. That would make a significant dent in the anticipated budget shortfall. Meanwhile, the House State Affairs Committee has been meeting since 7 this morning, and is still debating HB 265, Rep. Erik Simpson's bill calling for a moratorium on wind power plants. The Senate State Affairs Committee has a full agenda this morning, including introducing the new school-reform bill along with a slate of other legislation. And both houses have lots on their agenda today; the House is scheduled to begin its floor session at 10 a.m., the Senate at 10:30.