The Senate Health & Welfare Committee introduced a bill this afternoon proposed by Richelle Vannoy, the mother of a 13-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, to broaden Idaho’s definition of “assistance dogs” for disabled people to cover any kind of “support animal.” Vannoy, who said her...
Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how horrendous wait times at the only driver’s license office in Kootenai County have prompted the county and state to move to open a second location later this year. “The wait times are often three…
People’s lives were at stake when pavement on Interstate 90 through Coeur d’Alene broke apart earlier this winter, ITD says, so the department put together a $450,000 emergency repair project to patch the potholes that opened during a midwinter thaw. The work was done during…
A new study by the Legislature’s Office of Performance Evaluations concludes that Idaho’s child welfare system not only needs big increases in staffing, it needs formal system-wide oversight through a new entity – possibly a new standing committee of the Legislature. “Gaps in placement services,…
Despite urging from multiple law enforcement representatives to reject it, the House Transportation Committee has voted 10-7 in favor of Rep. Ron Nate’s bill to remove the requirement for a front license plate for any vehicle that wasn’t manufactured with a spot for one. Chairman…
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says Maj. Gen. Gary Sayler will continue serving as the commanding officer of the Idaho National Guard despite no longer being the state's federally recognized adjutant general. Otter tells The Associated Press that the federal government denied his request to extend Sayler's federally recognized status in January...
Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, is back in the House today, after being gone for the session’s first few weeks due to illness, including a heart operation; House members welcomed her back. Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, who’s been out for knee replacement surgery, isn’t back yet....
Idaho’s state Liquor Division has a proposal to add two new stores in the Treasure Valley next year to address market growth and development patterns in the area. That would take Idaho from 66 to 68 state-owned liquor stores, the first increase since 2009; roughly...
The College of Western Idaho has set up displays throughout the fourth-floor rotunda this morning, and is showcasing its programs all day. “We’re just trying to raise awareness in the Legislature, basically, about our programs,” said CWI Board Chairman Mark Dunham. “I don’t think a…
Legislative budget writers held their annual budget hearing on the Idaho state lottery this morning, and several new members of the committee had questions about how much of the lottery’s proceeds go to schools. Lottery Director Jeff Anderson said last year, about 22 cents of…
Legislative budget writers this morning are opening the week with a hearing on the Idaho Transportation Department budget, for which Gov. Butch Otter is proposing a 1.5 percent increase. ITD gets no state general tax funds; instead, it’s funded by dedicated state funds, largely from...
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
