Nearly 2,000 people traveled to Boise from all parts of the state in 2011 and 2012 to have their say on the state budget at big public hearings, a first for the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which until then had been the only committee in the…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter aims to build billions of dollars in new or expanded Idaho dams, to capture more water in his state's drought-stricken southern desert for crops, cities and flushing endangered salmon…
Conservation groups are suing federal and state officials over Idaho's plan to track and kill wolves from two packs in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho, the AP reports. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Pocatello yesterday, contends the…
Some interesting stats about current state employee pay were presented to lawmakers this afternoon by legislative budget analyst Robyn Lockett, who noted that as of December, 20 percent of Idaho’s state workers made less than $20,000 a year, and another 36 percent made more than…
Jeff Youtz, director of legislative services for the state, told lawmakers that in his 36 years of working for the Legislature, the joint Change in Employee Compensation Committee’s annual hearings and deliberations provided “an extremely valuable forum for you to receive information and stay in…
Jana Jones, a Democrat who narrowly lost to Tom Luna in 2006, announced today that she’s again running for state Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I’ve spent the last 40 years in education in the classroom, in school districts, at the state level, and in both…
The Legislature’s joint Change in Employee Compensation Committee has convened in the Lincoln Auditorium, the joint panel’s first meeting since 2008 to examine state employee pay and benefits. “I am pleased that we are convening once again,” said Sen. John Tippets, R-Montpelier, who is co-chairing…
House and Senate Democrats, responding today to Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State message yesterday, pledged to work with majority Republicans, but also outlined sharp differences, especially over funding priorities. “Our budgeting shows our values,” said House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston. “Idaho’s public…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's aides defended his proposed $1.34 billion budget for public schools, saying $21 million that's going to teachers for bonuses and professional development this year was never meant to continue…
Marc Johnson has an interesting look today at the legislative substitute rule – which is unique to Idaho – that allows lawmakers to name temporary replacements to fill in for them; two are doing so now, with Sen. Bob Nonini’s wife, Cathyanne, filling in for…
More than half of state employees got some type of salary increase in 2013 through salary savings in their agencies, Jani Revier, Gov. Butch Otter’s budget chief, told JFAC this morning, even though no raises were funded in the state budget. Revier told lawmakers, “The…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
