Tonight’s “Idaho Reports” on Idaho Public Television includes a report on the struggle of one small Idaho community, Mackay, to provide for public safety and the implications of that; a report on the news from today’s AP Legislative Preview; and a panel of lobbyists, including…
Idaho’s upcoming legislative session – which kicks off Monday with third-term Gov. Butch Otter’s final State of the State address – will tackle big issues in health care, taxes, education and ethics, and it will come in one of the biggest election years the state has seen in decades. “It’s going to be like the OK Corral – there’s going to be...
Blue Cross of Idaho is praising the executive order issued by Gov. Butch Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little today on health care. Here is the full statement from President and CEO Charlene Maher: “Blue Cross of Idaho is committed to the health and wellness…
Tommy Ahlquist’s campaign is disparaging the executive order issued by Gov. Butch Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little today on health care, suggesting it’s a campaign stunt. Here’s the campaign’s statement, from campaign manager David Johnston: “Sadly, this is just the latest example of Boise’s…
A “disturbance” at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution yesterday involving two rival gangs involved 17 inmates, the Idaho Department of Correction announced today, and five were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The Ada County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, at the request of IDOC.…
Among the issues that legislative leaders from both parties addressed at this morning’s AP Legislative Preview: SESSION PRIORITIES: House Speaker Scott Bedke said, “I believe there’s going to be a discussion on tax policy, and that will include tax relief. We’re going to attempt to…
Asked about how he’ll deal with the message from last night’s legislative preview held by nine far-right legislators who essentially were declaring that they don’t want to be muzzled and if they are they’d take out the speaker, House Speaker Scott Bedke said, “The way…
Legislative leaders from both parties, speaking at the AP Legislative Preview this morning, said they’ll be announcing some policy changes with regard to sexual harassment next week when all lawmakers, and all Statehouse staffers, go through “respectful workplace” training. “Let’s make it clear that that...
Asked about legal marijuana in Idaho’s neighboring states, Gov. Butch Otter said, “I think it’s a big mistake. When the medical marijuana effort was being made, especially across the Pacific Northwest, I talked to several governors that initially had been in favor of it, and…
Taking questions from reporters at today’s legislative preview, Gov. Butch Otter was asked if he had anything to say about tax reform and his priorities on that issue as this year’s legislative session convenes. “Let me answer that question: No,” Otter said. “Stay tuned Monday.”...
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says he’s signing an executive order “restoring choice in health insurance for Idahoans.” “We’ve had some great innovations and some great discussions with insurance companies in Idaho about products, if they weren’t limited by the mandates, if they weren’t limited by…
Saying education will again be his top priority for this year’s legislative session, Gov. Butch Otter told reporters at the AP Legislative Preview this morning that he’s learned much in his three terms as governor of Idaho. “Probably of all the things that I learned,…
Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, held a legislative preview last night in Meridian that promised to reveal “what conservatives want for the upcoming session,” featuring, along with her, Reps. Ron Nate, Karey Hanks, Dorothy Moon, Christy Zito, Priscilla Giddings, and Bryan Zollinger, and Sens. Dan Foreman...