The Idaho Chamber Alliance, an association of local chambers of commerce from across the state that’s holding its annual meeting in Boise this week, is pushing for legislation to lower Idaho’s income tax rates in a different way – by lowering not just the top…
Idaho lawmakers and conservative Christian allies who contend faith is under siege by gays, lesbians and the government are launching a "pre-emptive" strike to bolster rights of licensed professionals to refuse service or employment to those they conclude violate their religious beliefs, reports AP reporter…
Wayne Hoffman’s Idaho Freedom Foundation released its own alternative state budget this week, though the group has not yet filled in many of the details. It calls for $180 million in tax cuts, no funding for the governor’s task force recommendations for improving schools, a…
The House Environment, Energy & Technology Committee today voted unanimously in favor of HB 406, legislation to launch a seven-year process to have the state of Idaho take over primacy for wastewater permitting under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, though many questions…
Until recently, reports Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, GOP state schools superintendent candidate John Eynon was secretary of Idaho’s Constitution Party; he left the third party shortly before filing paperwork to run on the GOP ticket. Richert reports that Eynon’s campaign manager downplayed the…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden launched his re-election campaign today, pledging to continue to stand up for the “rule of law.” Among the accomplishments he listed from his 11 years in office: Pursuing more than 130 public corruption cases, resulting in 49 convictions or guilty…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — House Speaker Scott Bedke says he's met with Idaho's former chief economist over a proposal to shift $80 million from a grocery tax credit to individual and corporate income tax cuts. Bedke, a…
Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, sees a war on religious freedom creeping toward Idaho, so today he introduced two bills designed to stem the tide. “There’s unfortunately greater antagonism toward religion,” Luker said. “We’ve seen government compel photographers, bakers and florists to be penalized for their…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A legislative proposal could clear the way for Idaho's smallest school districts and charter schools to hire the spouses of their board members. Rep. Marc Gibbs, a Republican lawmaker from Grace, said Tuesday…
Idaho’s state Department of Fish & Game gets no state general tax funds, instead relying entirely on hunting and fishing license fees, federal funds and grants; 51 percent comes from license and tag fees. But, Fish & Game Director Virgil Moore told the Joint Finance-Appropriations…
Idaho Fish & Game Director Virgil Moore, who made his budget presentation to lawmakers this morning, said afterward that the department called off its professional hunt for wolves in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness yesterday because “we had been ineffective in the last…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
