Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Two parts of a patchwork plan aiming to raise $46 million for Idaho's crumbling roads and bridges have passed a House panel. The House Transportation Committee narrowly voted 9-8 on Thursday to move…
More than a dozen lawmakers attended a lunch in a Statehouse meeting room today organized by Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, on “The True Face of Islam in Idaho.” The lunch featured Shahram Hadian, a Christian pastor from Chattaroy, Wash. and former Muslim who heads...
In response to recent statements from Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins, about gays, two young activists delivered a letter to him today – signed by 200 people from across the state – calling on him to meet with them in a “town-hall style forum” to discuss…
The Senate has voted unanimously, 34-0, in favor of HB 296, the career ladder teacher-pay bill. “Senators, this is where we need to go,” said Senate Education Chairman Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls. Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “The one thing that I think all…
Senate Education Chairman Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, opening debate on the career ladder teacher-pay bill, HB 296, told the Senate, “All stakeholders support this current legislation – what a day.” The bill calls for the state to spend $125.5 million more on teacher pay over…
The anti-bullying bill, HB 246, has won unanimous support from the Senate Education Committee after an array of people spoke, all of them in favor of the House-passed bill. Now, the Senate is reconvening and will take up HB 296, the career ladder teacher-pay bill.
Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, has issued a statement praising the House’s 49-21 vote today to repeal instant racing, while John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, operator of Les Bois Park, issued a statement calling it “a very disappointing day for…
The House has voted 49-21 in favor of SB 1011, the bill to repeal instant racing in Idaho, sending the repeal bill to Gov. Butch Otter. The bill earlier passed the Senate on a 25-9 vote; its fate is now up to Otter. However, the...
Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, and Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, both physicians, are calling for the Idaho Legislature to consider Medicaid redesign – accepting millions in federal funds to provide health coverage to uninsured Idahoans, through a redesign of Idaho’s Medicaid program. “The sands of this...
Rep. Terry Gestrin, R-Donnelly moved to send SB 1011, the instant racing repeal bill, to general orders for amendments, “so the fiscal note can be repaired.” He said, “This motion is not about the merits of the bill. This motion is about the soundness of…
House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, said, “We’ve heard we need to save the horse racing industry. My question to all of you ladies and gentlemen here, is how many other industries do we want to help survive by allowing them to go...
From the instant racing repeal debate in the House: Rep. Caroline Troy, R-Genesee, said, “I believe that the issue is with the machines, and that it is a mistake to shut this important industry down at this point without having more clarity about the machines."...
Here are some of the comments from the House debate on SB 1011, the bill to repeal “instant racing” in Idaho: Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said, “Let’s look at the evidence. Let’s balance the equities. Economic development, agricultural support, and a source of revenue...
The Senate has voted 33-1 in favor of HB 1, to designate the Idaho giant salamander as the official state amphibian. The vote sends the House-passed bill to the governor’s desk, and marks a big victory in a five-year effort by Boise 8th grader Ilah…
Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, has tried a parliamentary maneuver to kill SB 1011, the bill to repeal “instant racing” in Idaho, but it failed. Gibbs told the House, “This bill is flawed and it needs to be corrected.” He said its fiscal statement, which says…
The House has opened its debate on SB 1011, the bill to repeal authorization for “historical horse racing” in Idaho, which led to the installation slot machine-like “instant racing” terminals at three locations around the state. “Two years ago, the race horse people came to…
House members are concerned this morning over what they say may have been a hacking of a representative’s email account. An email went out this morning to all representatives urging them to vote against HB 265, a bill regarding an interstate compact on public lands....
Reps. John Gannon, D-Boise, and Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, presented bipartisan legislation in the House Ways & Means Committee this morning to require all contracts issued by state constitutional officers for more than $500,000 to be reported to the Legislature. Gannon told the committee, “Until 1991,…
For Boiseans wanting a ride Their city has mightily tried To develop some regs ‘Til a lobbyist begs Now lawmakers say they’ll preside.
Wouldn’t it be a good bet That lawmakers don’t like a threat If horses will run And bettors have fun Will applecarts all be upset?
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
