Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today’s public school budget hearing; Idaho’s schools, hard-hit by budget cuts during years of economic downturn, would see a 5.1 percent boost in funding next year, under a budget plan pitched to lawmakers Thursday by…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former southwestern Idaho prosecutor has denied charges that he tried to hide assets from a bankruptcy court. John Bujak pleaded not guilty Thursday to bankruptcy fraud, concealment of assets, making a false…
A 1968 Olympic gold medalist and famed high jumper will run for the Idaho Legislature this year, Twin Falls Times-News reporter Kimberlee Kruesi reports. At her “On the Agenda” blog, Kruesi reports that Dick Fosbury, a Democrat, will challenge freshman Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield. Fosbury…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's former chief economist says families of four earning more than $117,750 would see lower taxes, should lawmakers adopt House Speaker Scott Bedke's proposal to shift money from a grocery tax credit to…
The House has voted 57-12 in favor of HB 375, which writes into Idaho law – retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year – that same-sex couples legally married in other states may not file joint income tax returns in Idaho, meaning they’ll have to…
JFAC Co-Chair Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, asked state schools Superintendent Tom Luna about his proposal for $16 million in one-time leadership bonuses for teachers next year, asking if that would require legislation. Luna said yes. He said it would follow recommendations from the governor’s education task…
Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, quizzed state schools Superintendent Tom Luna about how he interpreted a one-time appropriation in the current year’s budget, with intent language about installing and maintaining wireless networks in high schools, as authorizing a multi-year contract. Luna signed a five- to 15-year…
Among the questions JFAC members are posing to state schools chief Tom Luna this morning: Rep. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell, asked about restoring funding for programs for gifted and talented students, which were shifted to the operating funds line during the economic downturn. Bolz said he’s…
As part of his budget presentation today, state schools Supt. Tom Luna played a video clip for legislative budget writers featuring Cathyanne Nonini, a violin teacher and wife of Sen. Bob Nonini (and his substitute in the Senate for the first two weeks of this…
State schools chief Tom Luna told lawmakers he’s made several changes to his budget proposal: He’s calling for a 1 percent increase in salary-based apportionment to school districts, to allow teachers to get pay raises next year, in addition to $16 million for one-time leadership…
State schools Superintendent Tom Luna’s budget request for next year includes $13.4 million for school technology; he said it’s the same amount schools got this year. That would include $8 million distributed directly to school districts for classroom technology; $2.25 million to continue the statewide…
Tom Luna, state schools superintendent, touted the new higher standards Idaho’s enacted for student achievement. “It is nothing short of amazing,” he told legislative budget writers. “Idaho’s teachers are hard at work implementing these new, higher standards in mathematics and English language arts at all…
State schools Superintendent Tom Luna, beginning his public school budget presentation, told lawmakers, “Overall, our schools are doing better as evidenced by our Five Star Rating System.” The top 5-star rating is not easy to get, he said; fewer than 100 schools statewide have it.…
State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna is presenting his State Department of Education budget right now to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee; that'll be followed by the public school budget, the largest single piece of Idaho's state budget. You can watch live here; click on "JFAC."…
A proposed constitutional amendment introduced by House State Affairs Chairman Tom Loertscher yesterday would enshrine the current rules-review process by state lawmakers in the Constitution, allowing the Legislature to review and accept or reject administrative rules written by state agencies. Idaho Statesman reporter Dan Popkey…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
