At the request of Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, the Senate Education Committee this afternoon introduced legislation to “expressly permit” the use of the Bible in public schools as a reference. That’s already allowed, Nuxoll acknowledged, but she wanted to press the point. Her bill says:…
Many have been watching the events in Burns, Ore. today, where the last four occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge surrendered and the tense standoff ended. You can read the latest AP report here. The final four holdouts in the armed takeover of the...
Idaho members of ABATE are at the Capitol today to reach out to lawmakers in an effort to get legislation enacted to ban “motorcycle profiling,” which the group defines as targeting of motorcyclists by law enforcement solely...
The House got to experience the musical talents of a number of its members today, as part of the chamber’s annual Lincoln Day Program. A vocal group consisting of Reps. Kelley Packer, R-McCammon; Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene; John McCrostie, D-Boise; and House Appropriations Committee Secretary...
Gov. Butch Otter's "Primary Care Access Program" bill was introduced in the House Health & Welfare Committee this morning on a unanimous vote, after just a couple of technical questions from committee members. That clears the way for a full hearing on the $30 million...
The House State Affairs Committee today approved legislation expanding an existing exemption from Idaho’s Public Records Law for “critical infrastructure.” The bill, sought by the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association, was backed by the Association of Idaho Cities and the city of Idaho Falls, which operates...
The House Revenue & Taxation Committee, in a very brief meeting this morning, introduced two new tax bills: One from House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, to require any non-school taxing district that uses forgone property tax increases from past years to impose a new…
Among topics Gov. Butch Otter has addressed in response to questions from reporters this morning: BLAINE AMENDMENT: “I am very, very cautious about fussing with the Constitution,” Otter said. “Time to time, there’s a need. But there’s never been any confusion about that, as far…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter told reporters today that he’s written a letter to legislative leadership asking for attention - including convening a legislative work group - on protection of children in the face of religious exemptions from medical care. “How we can protect the children, which we...
“My priority is still my entire education package,” Gov. Butch Otter told reporters in his annual address to the Idaho Press Club this morning. He said 68 percent of his proposed budget for next year goes to “K-through-career” education, and he stands by that. Otter...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
