Idaho must change its trapping rules, because current rules are violating the Endangered Species Act in North Idaho by allowing inadvertent trapping of federally protected Canada lynx, a federal judge ruled today. Patrick Carney, president of the Idaho Trappers Association, told the Associated Press that…
The state Board of Education met today, and voted unanimously to endorse the education budget and initiatives Gov. Butch Otter outlined in his State of the State address this afternoon. Board President Don Soltman said in a statement, “Today, Gov. Otter outlined education initiatives to…
Education dominated Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s 10th State of the State message to lawmakers on Monday, as he laid out an aggressive plan to boost public schools and higher education in Idaho after years of lagging; here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com.…
Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, the new Senate co-chair of the budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, is welcoming Gov. Butch Otter’s revenue estimate that underlies his budget proposal for next year. Otter set his revenue projection at 4.9 percent growth in the general fund for fiscal year…
Minority Democrats from the House and Senate said in their response to Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State message this afternoon that the governor’s not going far enough to restore education funding or address the health coverage gap. “If this is the right thing…
A coalition of 120 organizations called “Close the Gap Idaho” held a press conference in the 4th floor rotunda of the Capitol this afternoon to say Gov. Butch Otter’s $30 million health care plan won’t close Idaho’s health coverage gap. “This can’t be the total…
Taking questions from reporters after his State of the State speech today, Gov. Butch Otter was asked if his education proposals come because he’s concerned about his legacy as governor. “I don’t know if you’re going to believe this, but I haven’t spent five minutes...
Idaho state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra was ebullient after Gov. Butch Otter's State of the State address, in which he backed several of her major proposals, including restoring operational, or discretionary, funds for schools back to 2009 levels. "I think that it's a great time…
Gov. Butch Otter has concluded his State of the State message to a joint session of the Legislature; as he shook hands with Supreme Court justices on his way off the dais, he joked "Get me outta here!" Otter's address touched on an array of...
Gov. Butch Otter spoke out on the need for raises for state employees in his State of the State message. "They take great pride in being public servants and in being responsive to the needs of Idaho citizens," he said. "That’s why I’m so pleased…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says he’s set aside $5 million in his proposed state budget for next year to address public defense reform. After a short pause, lawmakers greeted the news with applause. It followed a strong statement from Otter about the need for the…
Idaho “cybersecurity” efforts are bringing in the military, Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. “The Idaho Cyber Operations Squadron will include 71 Air Guard personnel, including 15 who will be working full-time on this important new mission. The Squadron also will be a great resource for…
Former state Commerce Director Jeff Sayer received sustained applause after Gov. Butch Otter recognized him in his State of the State message this afternoon, lauding his work. “The team he’s built and the programs he’s launched will continue to have a great impact on Idaho’s…
On water issues, Gov. Butch Otter is calling for $12 million in funding for aquifer recharge next year - $10 million in a one-time transfer, plus $2 million a year in ongoing funding. “Mr. Speaker, Senator Bair and Chairman Chase of the Idaho Water Resource…
Gov. Butch Otter has just referred briefly to his new $30 million health proposal to address those who fall into the coverage “gap,” the 78,000 Idahoans who make too much to qualify for Idaho’s limited Medicaid program, but not enough to qualify for subsidized insurance...
“I’m recommending that in the coming year we follow through on our plan for providing more physician training to meet Idaho’s needs,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today. “Adding five more seats to our medical school partnership with the University of Washington will reach the…
Gov. Butch Otter is proposing $5 million in start-up funding for a new community college in eastern Idaho – if voters there agree to turn Eastern Idaho Technical College into a community college. That would mean local voters would agree to partially support the college…
Idaho college students would see a new “tuition lock” program, under Gov. Butch Otter’s proposed budget for next year, designed to guarantee that if they finish college in four years and maintain acceptable grades, their tuition won’t go up from its freshman-year level. “That brings…
Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a $12 million investment in STEM education next year, science, technology, engineering and math. That includes $10 million in one-time funds for starting up new STEM programs, plus a $2 million ongoing appropriation for operating the state’s new STEM...
Among Gov. Butch Otter’s education proposals that he’s highlighting in his State of the State message today: $38.9 million for the next phase in the “career ladder” that lawmakers started on last year, in a move to increase teacher pay; $5 million for college and…
Gov. Butch Otter is focusing on education, as he gives his State of the State message to a joint session of the Legislature today. “We are entrusted with the singular constitutional responsibility of providing for a ‘general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common…
Gov. Butch Otter has begun his State of the State message, joking first, “For those who wouldn’t shake my hand as I was coming down the aisle, I am coming down with something, I don’t know what it is.” But Otter said he had doused…
The House and Senate have convened, and the House has welcomed a temporary member, Howard G. “J.R.” Van Tassel, who is filling in for Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, while Rusche’s wife, Kay, is undergoing cancer treatment. Rusche expects to be gone for at least two…
Gov. Butch Otter will give his State of the State and budget address to a joint session of the Idaho Legislature starting at 1 p.m. today to lay out his agenda for the legislative session, speaking in the House chambers. I'll be live-blogging; check back...
Idaho law enforcement, refugee resettlement and faith leaders have scheduled a competing session for Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol entitled, “Meet Your Neighborhood Refugee,” at the same time that two anti-Islamic speakers, Shahram Hadian and Christopher Holton, will be speaking in…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
