On tonight’s “Idaho Reports” program on Idaho Public Television, I join Jim Weatherby, Bill Roberts, and co-hosts Melissa Davlin and Aaron Kunz for a discussion of the events of the legislative session’s sixth week, focusing on the debate over the guns-on-campus bill. Also, Davlin interviews…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — With Idaho's $120 million Capitol renovation nearly paid off, there's a scramble for $11 million in annual tobacco tax revenue that come 2015 will no longer be needed to finance the improvements. Gov.…
The Senate has voted 23-10 in favor of SB 1337, the so-called “ag-gag” bill, which would create a new crime of interfering with agricultural production, and specifically targets anyone who takes and distributes surreptitious video. The new crime would carry up to a year in…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Times-News has filed a lawsuit against the Gooding County School District after officials denied two public records request. The newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/1jF5z2x) that the lawsuit filed Monday involves requests for copies…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gun-rights advocates and Idaho law enforcement have resolved differences over a bill that would punish Idaho police and sheriffs who help confiscate federally banned firearms. The measure, which allows lawmakers to trumpet their…
As the Senate debates SB 1337, the so-called “ag-gag bill,” Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, said, “It’s an anti-attack the innocent bill. We want incidents of abuse of production animals reported immediately. That’s why we have policies where we will have an investigator there within 24…
Sen. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, in his opening debate on SB 1337, the so-called “ag-gag bill,” said, “We’ve seen farm families … intimidated by activists who misrepresent themselves.” Patrick said, “We have many things we do in agriculture that are not agreed upon by all.…
It’s rare that a call of the Senate is issued – which requires that the doors be locked, roll be taken, and any missing, unexcused senators rounded up, even if that requires sending the Idaho State Police or the National Guard to find and arrest…
The JFAC public hearing has wrapped up, after just over two hours of public testimony; everyone who signed up to testify got a chance to speak, with a three-minute limit. By my rough count, 44 people testified, with the highest number - 15 - calling…
Continued testimony at the JFAC public hearing this morning, at which more than 40 people have now testified: Kristi Young, mother of a child with cerebral palsy, said, “The infant-toddler program’s budget has come up short, and it’s affecting families.” She said, “This program provides…
Karen Echeverria of the Idaho School Boards Association said the ISBA, the Idaho School Administrators Association, and the Idaho Education Association, the state teachers union, all have been meeting regularly this legislative session and plan to continue doing so; the three presented a joint statement…
Two Eagle Rock Middle School students from Idaho Falls just wowed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and the audience with their testimony in favor of improving school funding in Idaho. Shandy Gillman said, “Currently our class sizes are getting bigger and bigger.” Derik Johnson said, “Our…
As this morning’s JFAC public hearing continues, three people have now spoken in favor of expanding funding for agricultural education in Idaho, as proposed in a pending bill. The programs now have the same funding they had in 1998, said Brett Wilder, state president of…
Some more of the testimony at this morning’s public hearing on state budget issues: Jerry Reininger of the Meridian School District told JFAC, “I hope in the future you’ll continue to support the IEN.” He said middle school students also need the advanced opportunities that…
Among those testifying this morning to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on state budget issues: Donna Yule, executive director of Idaho Public Employees Association, urged JFAC to adopt the “responsible alternative” budget proposed by the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, which would shift funds from tax…
This morning is JFAC’s public hearing, when people can offer their input on state budget issues. The hearing is in the Lincoln Auditorium; you can watch live here by clicking on “Lincoln Auditorium.” "We will simply be listening today," said JFAC Co-Chair Dean Cameron, R-Rupert.…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
