Legislative News: Most recent is first.
Click here for legislative news directly from Idaho Senators and Representatives.
Lake Pend Oreille School District gets more money.
Methadone Clinic Opens because of 2007 law.
This is why Idaho is
so easy to make fun of
By Jo(Jo)
In 2005, the Idaho legislature passed a resolution honoring Jared &
Jerusha Hess for making
Napoleon Dynamite. This is not a joke. Here are some excerpts from
the document:. WHEREAS, tater tots figure prominently in this film thus
...
more than milk - http://morethanmilk.blogspot.com/
The Great
State of Ada
By Alan(Alan)
Question: Who's to blame for the Legislature's failure to provide
funding for
Idaho road repair this session -- Otter? Or Republican leaders?
(Spencer: How about asking if the legislature did the right thing by
not raising $200 million ...
IdaBlue - http://idablue.blogspot.com/
Idaho wolf
investigation ongoing
By admin
On March 28, gray wolves were removed from the endangered species list and
management passed to Idaho Fish and Game. They are managed as big
game animals, similar to black bears and mountain lions. The state
Legislature recently amended ...
Wolf Crossing - http://wolfcrossing.org
Spud State Blog Rundown
4/7/08
By Serephin
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die
on Wednesday, having passed enough unnecessary legislation (such as
the prohibition of “coercing” someone to have an abortion) to tide itself
over for the year. Morialekafa: Just another liar? ...
43rd
State Blues: Democracy for Idaho - http://www.43rdstateblues.com
Utah's
(Still) #51 and Getting Worse
By Reach Upward(Reach Upward)
Over the last three legislative sessions, the legislature has
dumped nearly $1 billion into the public education industrial complex on top
of regular funding. But we’re still in dead last (51st) place in per-pupil
funding. ...
Reach Upward - http://reachupward.blogspot.com/
The 2008 Legislature was marked by tightening budgets in difficult times.
Idaho state officials are sending millions of dollars to operators of new Internet-based charter schools, but aren't checking how the money is spent, the Times-News has learned.
Senate panel dumps bill on energy-efficient ID state
buildings
Twin Falls
Times-News
-
Twin Falls,ID,USA
By JOHN MILLER
BOISE, Idaho - A Senate committee has killed a plan to
require major new state-funded buildings meet energy efficiency standards that
are 30 ...
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Idaho lawmakers pass bill to head off illegal immigration
OneNewsNow -
Tupelo,MS,USA
Idaho-based pro-family activist Bryan Fischer is praising his state's
legislature for taking a major step to curb illegal immigration in the Gem
State. ...
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TechIdaho: Don't worry, Boise still has Forbes' favor
IdahoStatesman.com
- ID,USA
I found it refreshing to hear from him that
Idaho wasn't doing
enough to compete with other states and that the state should do something to
help Micron. ...
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Trustees: turnover, staff errors led to ID Ed Board chaos
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin
Falls,ID,USA
In July 2007, Johnson's interim successor, Karen McGee, then used money the
Idaho Legislature had set aside for 2008 to pay for testing work done in
fiscal ...
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Head Start Program Funding Reviewed
KPVI-TV -
Pocatello,ID,USA
... Start Association: "The
Idaho Head
Start Association is gratified to learn that the Joint Finance and
Appropriations Committee of the Idaho Legislature ...
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Fitch Rates $166.2MM Idaho Housing and Finance Assoc Bonds 'A+'
Earthtimes -
London,UK
The state legislature authorized the initial issuance of grant and
revenue anticipation bonds in 2005. A memorandum of agreement between the
Federal Highway ...
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Bill would create scholarship fund for nurses who teach
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin
Falls,ID,USA
By SIMON SHIFRIN
BOISE, Idaho
- Some Idaho lawmakers want to create a scholarship fund for nurses who
continue their education in graduate school and then ...
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House committee backs tax breaks for Idaho
uranium plant
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin
Falls,ID,USA
... National Laboratory increases Idaho's allure as a possible
site, he said Areva could go elsewhere if this tax legislation doesn't clear the
Legislature. ...
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Bits and Pieces from the Idaho Legislature
By
info@newwest.net(info@newwest.net)
The Idaho Legislature can be pretty funny. Once a week I'll run a
collection of bits that don't really fit in anywhere else. This week: Making the
world safe for bad Realtor jokes; Hello, Dad? I'm in jail!; a picky audience;
...
NewWest.Net Boise -
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/main/C108/L108/
Former Democratic Party chair endorses Grant
FRUITLAND - The former chair of the
Idaho Democratic Party,
Carolyn Boyce, today endorsed Larry Grant for Congress in the 1st Congressional
District.Boyce was the state party's chief executive from 2000 to 2005,
providing leadership to ...
Idaho Press-Tribune RSS Feed - http://www.idahopress.com
Planned Parenthood: Wanting fewer blacks 'understandable'
By MikeTodd
He said the timing of the release of the information was intriguing, because the
Idaho Legislature is scheduled this week to have its first public hearing
on a bill written to prevent Idaho women from being forced into having
abortions ...
Vanguard News Network Forum - http://www.vnnforum.com
Murdering black people is an understandable position!
By Believe It!
He said the timing of the release of the information was intriguing, because the
Idaho Legislature is scheduled this week to have its first public hearing
on a bill written to prevent Idaho women from being forced into having
abortions ...
Naruto Forums - http://forums.narutofan.com
A truly honest editorial
By Kevin Richert
... enrichment plant near
Idaho Falls.
Trillhaase noted (as did we, in our Thursday editorial on the Areva incentives)
that one of the breaks is nearly a carbon copy of the law
Micron
Technology secured from the 2005 Legislature. ...
krichert's blog -
http://voices.idahostatesman.com/richert
| riday, February 29, 2008 |
| Legislature 2008 |
| RECENT HEADLINES |
1:17 p.m. -- Senate votes 19-16 to kill Luna's teacher pay planThe Senate voted 19-16 to kill a $21 million pay-for-performance plan for Idaho public school teachers. | GO...12:26 p.m. -- House committee approves rural property tax incentiveCounty commissioners in rural Idaho would have the authority to give companies up to a five year break on property taxes if the invest at least $3 million in new facilities in their county in a bill that passed the House Revenue and Taxation committee Friday. | GO...11:23 a.m. -- Otter changes tune on energy center, recommends $1.8 million in fundingGov. Butch Otter is recommending state funding for the soon-to-be-opened Center for Advanced Energy Studies in Idaho Falls. | GO...UPDATED 1:14 p.m. -- Senate committee rejects energy efficiency billA bill that would have required state buildings to exceed energy efficiency standards failed in a tight vote Friday in the Senate State Affairs Committee. | GO...10:44 a.m. -- Legislators renew debate on state food taxThe fight to give Idahoans a break on the tax they pay on groceries is back on after a new bill survived four votes in a House committee. | GO... |
Unda' The
Rotunda
Boise Weekly - ID, USA
BY NATHANIEL HOFFMAN In 1975, the Idaho Legislature established
public kindergarten. Actively campaigning against the idea was one state
Rep. ...
See all stories on this topic
| Tuesday, February 26, 2008 |
| Legislature 2008 |
| RECENT HEADLINES |
Senators kill bill allowing alcohol at all-ages showsA popular Boise concert club is closer to losing its ability to sell alcohol at all-ages events. | GO...House asks Congress to segregate pornThe House passed a resolution Monday urging Congress to enact legislation to create a system to separate pornography from the rest of the Internet. | GO...Measure to mandate school designs killedA bill that would have required some school buildings to be built in an energy efficient manner was rejected Monday by a Senate committee concerned about over-regulating school districts. | GO...Idaho lawmakers consider 'digital repository' for documentsIdaho lawmakers are considering legislation to create a new "digital repository" for state publications to replace the current law that requires sending 20 copies to libraries around the state, a system officials call archaic, costly and mostly ignored. | GO...Survey finds support for early educationBackers of early childhood education in Idaho who want the state to pay for pre-kindergarten programs are touting a recently released survey as lawmakers consider early education bills. | GO... |
| Monday, February 25, 2008 |
| Legislature 2008 |
| RECENT HEADLINES |
12:36 p.m. -- House takes up debate on two bills to lure enrichment plant to IdahoThe House Revenue and Taxation Committee Monday began discussing tax incentive bills meant to lure a French company's uranium enrichment facility to eastern Idaho. One would cap Areva Inc.'s property tax valuation at $400 million, provided it invested $1 billion. | GO...11:51 a.m. -- Resolution urges Congress to regulate Internet pornThe House passed a resolution Monday urging Congress to enact legislation to create a system to separate pornography from the rest of the internet. | GO...11:08 a.m. -- Energy efficient school building bill rejectedA bill that would have required some school buildings to be built in an energy efficient manner was rejected Monday by a Senate committee over concerns about over-regulating school districts. | GO...10:41 a.m. -- Senate committee rejects bill to allow liquor sales at all-ages events centersA Senate committee rejected a bill Monday that would have helped the Big Easy Concert House continue to serve liquor during all-ages events. | GO...Alcohol bills bypass review of old lawsMembers of Gov. Butch Otter's liquor task force are taking a methodical approach to rewriting the state's alcohol laws, but some legislators and lobbyists aren't waiting. | GO... |
House
committee prints nuclear power tax incentive bills
Two proposed tax incentives that would benefit the
nuclear power industry cleared the first hurdle in the Idaho
Legislature this morning.
- http://www.idahobusiness.net
Idaho
lawmakers face personal finance decisions
"The current system says that unless you can get away from your job for
three months or (have) saved up enough money you probably can't afford to be
in the Legislature," said former Republican House S...
Personal Finance News latest... - http://news.100.com/?c=300e4fa8e5e292cd
Starvation
wages?
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin Falls,ID,USA
The Idaho Legislature is a "citizen's legislature," meaning that
members aren't considered full-time workers and the pay only compensates for
time away from ...
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Idaho:
Studio Seeks Tax Breaks
Forbes -
NY,USA
AP 02.21.08, 4:00 PM ET A proposed film studio and residential development
planned in the desert east of
Boise wants the Idaho Legislature to pass property ...
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Bill Underway to Develop Idaho Broadband Network
By Sharon Fisher
An education bill passed out of committee
on Monday is intended to provide high-speed Internet access throughout
Idaho, including currently underserved areas, and eventually to provide
such access to industry...
Plan to give
immigrants in-state tuition stalls
Idaho Press-Tribune -
Nampa,ID,USA
... the Legislature. Rep. Steve Kren, R-Nampa, said he had not
seen the bill but that he was “against the philosophy of it.” Out-of-state
tuition at
Idaho ...
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White:
allowing guns on campus is 'unacceptable'
KLEW -
Lewiston,ID,USA
University of Idaho President Tim White talks about his position
concerning recent proposals to allow guns on the UI and other college
campuses. ...
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PERSI
divestment bill
We believe the role of the Legislature is, and should continue to be,
to establish the benefits that will be provided to
Idaho’s public employees upon retirement, leaving the management
of the system, including investment decisions, ...
hotline.idahoea.org - http://hotline.idahoea.org
Miners, enviros and Idaho
DEQ to pursue talks on groundwater
Twin Falls
Times-News - Twin Falls,ID,USA
6, the Idaho Conservation League criticized the industry's push to
have the Legislature get involved, arguing any such action would be
premature before ...
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Senators
Approve Mandatory Chains Law
RedOrbit -
Dallas,TX,USA
The effort comes four years after a broader mandatory chain-up bill for all
drivers was roundly rejected by the Legislature.
Idaho now has no mandatory ...
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Idaho's college
campuses will retain control over conceled weapons ...
KMVT - USA
The Idaho legislature is modifying language from a concealed weapons
bill that would have affected state colleges. The bill contained language
that would ...
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Idaho
Lawmakers Trim Worker Pay Plan
Houston Chronicle - United States
Otter had originally wanted a 5 percent pay increase, mirroring the merit
raises approved by the 2007 Legislature. Aides to the governor appear
to have ...
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Idaho House to lower
bar of firms seeking tax breaks
Ontario
Argus Observer -
Ontario,OR,USA
When the Small Employer Incentive Act cleared the Legislature in
2005, it offered jobs credits, tax credits and a sales tax rebate worth a
combined $17100 ...
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Committee recommends 3 percent pay increase for state employees
A legislative committee passed a resolution Friday recommending an additional 3 percent for state employee raises with the first 1 percent across the board. | GO...
Lawmakers advance N. Idaho water rights measures
The state Senate Resources Committee, responding to northern Idaho residents leery of a state push to determine water rights in the fast-growing area, has approved several bills concerning the issue. | GO...
ID lawmaker wants developers to cover affordable housing
Some lawmakers want to allow cities to force developers to pay for affordable housing, an effort to keep Idaho's resort towns friendly to firefighters, hospital workers and retail clerks who don't earn as much as wealthier residents. | GO...
Lawmakers doubt revenues will stretch as far as Otter thinks
Worsening state revenues have Gov. Butch Otter acknowledging he needs to lower a proposed raise for state employees, but lawmakers skittish about the economy say he's not going far enough. | GO...
Idaho Mining Association agrees to resume talks on pollution rules
The Idaho Mining Association has agreed to resume negotiations with the state and environmentalists on groundwater pollution regulations. |
Will Concealed Weapons or Media
Reform Make College Campuses Safer?
By Joe Vandal
The
Idaho Statesman reports that our legislature is considering
a bill to allow concealed weapons on college campuses. Permit holders would just
have to notify school administrators that they may do carry concealed weapons
onto campus. ...
IdahoFallz.com - http://idahofallz.com
Miners, environmentalists opt to continue groundwater talks
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin Falls,ID,USA
The decision sidelines a measure proposed by the Idaho Mining Association
last week to have the Legislature set new standards. Sen. ...
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Money from
ID broadcasters goes to 'Legislature Live'
LocalNews8.com -
Idaho Falls,ID,USA
The money, along with $25000 from the Idaho Public TV Foundation,
will cover the 2008 operational costs for the program called "Legislature
Live. ...
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Day Care
Ordinance Unveiled
KPVI-TV -
Pocatello,ID,USA
Last year, the Idaho Legislature declined to adopt a state-wide
proposal to tighten day-care standards. Council Member Karen Cornwell, who
initiated this ...
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Energy
The
Energy Efficient Schools bill (SB
1412) was introduced in the Senate Resources and Environment
Committee. The bill ensures new schools will be more energy efficient
through integrated design and fundamental commissioning. This process will
conserve our natural resources and save the state money. The bill sponsors
are Sen. Elliot Werk (D) and Sen. Curt McKenzie (R).
Air Quality
The House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee took public
testimony on Thursday on auto emissions testing. The committee will vote on
the bill Wednesday, February 20. The bill (HB
482)
would authorize the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to develop
rules allowing auto emissions testing in certain Idaho airsheds.
Water Pollution
The Idaho Mining Association (IMA) had introduced Senate Bill
1375. This bill was an
attempt to circumvent an ongoing Department of Environmental Quality
negotiated rulemaking seeking to address the need for mining operations to
not permanently contaminate groundwater.
The IMA has now announced it will return to the negotiating table to try to
address groundwater contamination. The IMA has reportedly asked Sen. Patti
Anne Lodge, the chair of the relevant Senate committee, to hold the bill and
not proceed with a hearing.
A resolution (SCR 128) was introduced requesting that the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Office of Energy prepare a report about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. We believe this information will assist the legislature in deciding a course of action on the issues.
5-Minute Action
Please contact members of the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and urge them to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 128! The Idaho Legislature should be taking the lead on global warming. This resolution is the first step to charting a course of action on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
To contact the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, go to www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm.
Legislative briefs
Twin Falls
Times-News -
Twin Falls,ID,USA
At the hearing, representatives for Boise State University and the
University of Idaho thanked McKenzie for leaving the schools alone.
...
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Legislators introduce dog-fighting bill
The Casper Star Tribune - Casper,WY,USA
The Idaho Legislature, meanwhile, passed a bill Thursday that would
make it a felony to operate a dogfighting operation. If the governor signs
it, ...
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Legislature wants to
make business tax breaks easier
KTVB -
Boise,ID,USA
So far, no companies in
Idaho have claimed the tax credits. The bill that passed Thursday
would make it easier for companies to meet the average $15.50 ...
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Sentencing: Faced With Swollen Prisons, Idaho Ponders Reforms
Drug War Chronicle -
Washington,DC,USA
With nearly 7500 people behind bars in
Idaho -- more than half of them for drug offenses -- the Idaho
legislature is finally beginning to move away from the ...
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