Sheila Olsen, a longtime pillar of the Rexburg-area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the state Republican Party, died of illness Sunday morning at age 79, the Post Register reports. “She always found the joy and the positive side of things,” said Maria Nate, her daughter. “Her community involvement knew no bounds...
A hack of two email accounts at the Idaho Transportation Department may have exposed the personal information of commercial truckers whose trucks are registered in Idaho, including Social Security and credit card numbers, Gov. Butch Otter’s office announced this afternoon. State Information Security Director Jeff…
A divided House Transportation Committee has agreed to advance Rep. Lance Clow’s proposed legislation to make it illegal for anyone driving in the left lane of a controlled-access freeway to impede other traffic that’s traveling at the speed limit. Under questioning from committee members, Clow,...
Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett is backing legislation that would create a new office to investigate concerns about government fraud, waste or abuse. Stennett, a Democrat from Ketchum, pitched the idea to the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday. The panel agreed to introduce the proposal, but...
Without debate, the House has passed legislation to set up the funding mechanism for a five-year, $102 million upgrade to the state’s business systems, including payroll, accounting and procurement. State Controller Brandon Woolf has been working on the plan for several years; lawmakers previously funded…
The Idaho House has voted narrowly – 36-32 – in favor of HB 465, to restore non-emergency dental coverage to people who are on the Idaho Medicaid program’s basic plan; they lost that benefit through budget cuts in 2011 during the recession with the promise...
Both the House and Senate are holding their annual "Lincoln Day" commemorative programs during their floor sessions today. In the Senate, there's music, featuring young musicians from Idaho Falls, speeches and quotes; the House ceremony included musical performances including "The Star Spangled Banner" performed by…
The Senate State Affairs Committee has voted along party lines to approve SB 1243, requiring women seeking abortions to be provided referrals to information regarding reversal of chemical abortions partway through the procedure; the vote sends the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation...
After much debate, two alternative tax-cut bills have been introduced in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee this morning, one from Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, to couple grocery tax elimination with various income tax cuts; and another from Senate Tax Chairman Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston,…
Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, pitched her bill to the House Rev & Tax Commission today for a flat $1,320 credit against property taxes for any Idaho resident who’s a 100 percent disabled veteran due to service-related injuries. After lots of questions, the committee voted…
The Senate State Affairs Committee is holding a hearing this morning SB 1243, the proposal from Sen. Lori DenHartog, R-Meridian, to require that women seeking an abortion be provided with information about reversal of medication-induced abortions partway through the treatment. Strong emotions are being expressed...
The Idaho State Police is requesting more state troopers next year to better cover the state, among other requests in its budget. Gov. Butch Otter is recommending a 12.4 percent increase in state funding for ISP next year, including six more troopers and one sergeant;...
When Mat Erpelding says he's been to the mountaintop, he's not echoing Martin Luther King or offering hope for the difficult days ahead. He means it literally, the Lewiston Tribune reports. Erpelding, 43, is completing his first term as House minority leader. He has also been a professional guide and outdoor educator for nearly 25 years...
Idaho has serious gaps in representation for children involved in protective services cases, according to a report by the Office of Performance Evaluation. The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee received the lengthy report at a hearing last week, the Idaho Falls Post Register reports; you can…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
