All 2010 Legislative & Political News
U.S. House to vote on funding Cobell settlement today The U.S. Senate approved the settlement of the class action lawsuit filed by tribal members against the U.S. government for mismanagement of tribal assets, and the U.S. House is expected to vote today on approving the $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell litigation.
Interior officials, N. Rockies governors meet on wolves On Monday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant Interior Secretary Tom Strickland met with Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and Gov.-elect Matt Mead, and while they all agreed that the wolf populations in the three states were robust and ready to remove from the endangered species list, they weren't sure how to get from where the process is right now to delisting.
Idaho congressman-elect well versed in student loan situation Idaho U.S. Rep.-elect Raul Labrador is still paying off his student loans for law school, more than 15 years after receiving his degree.
Court rulings in Wyoming, Montana could send wolf issue to Supreme Court The director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition said that differing court rulings from federal judges in Wyoming and Montana probably means the case is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and people in Wyoming on conflicting sides of the issue appear to be losing interest in negotiating a settlement.
Longtime Idaho Senate leader says he won't seek leadership post Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, who has held that post in the Idaho Senate for a decade, announced Monday he would not seek the Republican leadership post this session. An analysis.
Idaho lawmaker refiles lawsuit against state Tax Commission After a state district court judge dismissed Idaho state Rep. Shirley Ringo's lawsuit against the state Tax Commission over secret settlements made with some taxpayers, Ringo's attorney said he had refiled the lawsuit naming new plaintiffs in anticipation of the judge's ruling.
U.S. Senate approves $3.4-billion settlement of Cobell lawsuit Elouise Cobell, the Blackfeet woman from Montana, who is the lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit filed by Native Americans against the federal government for its mishandling of assets and funds held in trust for tribes, said she was confident that the U.S. House would approve the $3.4-billion settlement of that class action approved by the Senate because the House had done so on two previous occasions.
ConocoPhillips: Idaho foes to megaloads need to post bond ConocoPhillips has asked the Idaho Department of Transportation to require the three opponents who have filed objections to the oil company's plan for four oversized loads of refinery equipment from the Port of Lewiston along Highway 12 to Montana to post a bond of $2 million; the company has stated it has already incurred $2.5 million in expenses in regard to the shipments.
Idaho state senator takes job with EPA State Sen. Kate Kelly, the outgoing Idaho Senate minority leader, has been hired as the director of the Office of Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection regional headquarters in Seattle, where she will oversee a staff of 87 in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Oil company chafes at delay in Idaho, Montana big rig shipments Alberta-based Imperial Oil began working on its plan to ship more than 200 megaloads of mining equipment from Idaho's Port of Lewiston through Montana to its oilsands operations two years ago, and officials said that it's time to get the show on the road.
Idaho, Washington congressmen push to re-open debate on Yucca Mountain U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson of Idaho, Doc Hastings of Washington, and Paul Ryan of Wisconsin have asked the Office of Management and Budget to review Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Greg Jaczko's decision to terminate the review of the Department of Energy's application to site a nuclear waste repository in Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
ConocoPhillips hires Idaho lobbyist ConocoPhillips hired Skip Smyser, one of Idaho's best-known lobbyists, to assist the oil company in its campaign to clear the way for shipments of massive pieces of refinery equipment to be transported along Highway 12 through the state into Montana to its refinery in Billings.
Idaho Democratic Party to get new leadership Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark didn't blame Executive Director Jim Hansen for the party's loss of key seats in the November election, but said the need for a new direction required a new executive director.
Idaho legislators ready for brutal budget session Members of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met Monday and Tuesday to get the public and legislators educated about what it will take to address the state's estimated $340 million budget shortfall.
Idaho legislators hear good, bad news about the state's finances Today, members of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will begin meeting today to prepare for the upcoming legislative session where they'll review requests for funding from agencies, and although tax revenues are higher than forecast, so, too, are the requests for funds.
Idaho legislators hear good, bad news about the state's finances Today, members of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will begin meeting today to prepare for the upcoming legislative session where they'll review requests for funding from agencies, and although tax revenues are higher than forecast, so, too, are the requests for funds.
Wyoming legislators vote to continue negotiations on wolf management At a meeting Friday, members of Wyoming's Legislative Management Council agreed to continue funding one-third of the cost of talks between Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about wolf management.
Wyoming legislators vote to continue negotiations on wolf management At a meeting Friday, members of Wyoming's Legislative Management Council agreed to continue funding one-third of the cost of talks between Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about wolf management.
Wyoming legislative panel meets today to discuss wolf issue The Wyoming Legislative Management Council will meet today to discuss whether the state should join Montana and Idaho in negotiations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about removing wolves in the three states from the federal endangered species list.
Idaho business group supports big-rig transport plans A coalition of Idaho businesses formed the group "Drive Our Economy" to show their support for a plan to move massive pieces of refinery and mining equipment from the state's Port of Lewiston to Montana and beyond.
Idaho House leader boots Hart from tax committee Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney announced Tuesday that he had removed state Rep. Phil Hart from the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and that a new ethics commission would be convened to look into Hart's conduct.
Idaho loses 'reddest' state ranking to Wyoming Idaho Republicans made gains in this month's general election, but Wyoming Republicans gained more, edging out the Gem State for GOP majorities.
Idaho tweaks economic forecast to reflect slower recovery The October 2010 Idaho Economic Forecast, which predicts fiscal conditions in 2013, indicates that although the state will pull out of its slump, it will take longer than anticipated and not be as robust as originally predicted.
Education groups ask to join Idaho lawmaker's tax commission lawsuit Three education groups want to join Idaho state Rep. Shirley Ringo's lawsuit against the state Tax Commission over its secret tax deals that Ringo alleges have cost the state millions of dollars.
GOP majority in U.S. House will change Idaho U.S. Rep. Simpson's role With the new Republican Party majority in the U.S. House, Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson will likely become chairman of the interior and environment subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, and with Washington state U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings expected to become chairman of the House Resources Committee, Simpson is optimistic about his Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.
Tuesday's vote left no Democrat holding office in Idaho county Kootenai County is one of Idaho's most conservative, and after Tuesday's election, not a single seat in the county was held by a Democrat.
GOP gains seats in Idaho House Republicans won five more seats in the Idaho House in Tuesday's election, giving the GOP a 57-13 majority there, but in the state Senate, each party won a seat from the other, keeping the 28-7 Republican majority.
Former Idaho governor leaves public life to become insurance lobbyist Dirk Kempthorne spent 25 years in the public sector, serving as Idaho governor, U.S. senator and Interior secretary, and on Wednesday, he rejoined the private sector, taking the post of president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers.
Idaho voters keep Otter as governor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter cruised to victory on Tuesday, easily defeating Democratic contender Keith Allred.
Idaho schools chief faces tough agenda after easy re-election win Republican Tom Luna, who won his re-election bid to keep his post as public schools chief in Idaho, acknowledged that he faces tough times in his next term, as state legislators slashed the public education budget and more cuts could be coming.
All four ballot initiatives on Idaho ballot pass Idaho voters approved all four measures on the ballot that would amend the state's Constitution, three of which dealt with public institutions such as hospitals, public utilities and airports to take on debt, and a fourth that gives the University of Idaho more latitude when divvying up student payments.
Idaho U.S. Rep. Simpson in line for leadership roles The Republican takeover of the U.S. House leadership means big changes for Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, who will become chairman of Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies and the second-ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development; Simpson easily won his bid for a seventh term against Democrat Mike Crawford.
Republican challenger defeats Idaho's lone Democratic congressman Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick lost his bid for a second term on Tuesday, defeated by Republican challenger Raul Labrador.
Voters in Idaho county overwhelm precincts Jerome County election officials said voter turnout Tuesday in their Idaho county exceeded that of a presidential election year, with some precincts running out of ballots.
Incumbents in south-central Idaho legislative races easily win re-election South-central Idaho voters elected to return most of their state legislators to office.
Idaho legislator's appeal alleges state income tax is unconstitutional Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart's appeal of the money he owes for back taxes alleges that the state's income tax is unconstitutional.
Final debate features all 5 Idaho gubernatorial candidates The final Idaho gubernatorial candidate debate Thursday gave all five candidates an opportunity to stake out their positions: Republican incumbent C.L. "Butch" Otter; Democrat Keith Allred; independent Jana Kemp; independent Pro-Life, who changed his legal name, and Libertarian Ted Dunlap.
Idaho congressional candidates differ on wilderness At a debate Thursday, Raul Labrador, the Republican who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, said he does not support U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, calling the bill that would designate 331,616 acres in the Boulder and White Cloud mountains as wilderness a "half-baked" solution.
Experts: Impasse on wolf management in N. Rockies alienates allies The return of wolves in Idaho and Montana to the endangered species list, despite the fact that numbers of wolves in those states have far exceeded federal goals, has frustrated ranchers and hunters, key allies in wolf reintroduction, and experts worry that the Endangered Species Act itself could be weakened as a result of the impasse.
Idaho prepares to cut $8M in Medicaid services The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has drafted a new set of rules that will cut or eliminate programs for low-income adults with severe mental illness and children with developmental disabilities or autism. The cuts will save the state $1.6 million, but will result in a loss of $6.5 million in matching federal funds.
TV stations pull ad that contains false information about Idaho congressman An ad paid for by the independent group, SuperPAC for America, was pulled by two Idaho television stations because it falsely claimed that U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick voted for the federal stimulus bill; Minnick was one of 11 Democrats who voted against the bill.
Poll plumbs Idaho voters' concerns The Idaho Newspapers Poll, a collaboration of The Spokesman-Review and six Idaho newspapers, took the pulse of Idaho voters and found that the economy was their top concern, and that the shipment of mega-loads of mining equipment from the state's Port of Lewiston across Highway 12 into Montana isn't a statewide issue of concern.
Idaho Democratic congressman not burdened by incumbency Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is a Democratic congressman from a primarily Republican district, but his opposition to stimulus spending and health care reform makes him palatable to GOP voters, although he has a tough Republican contender this year, state legislator Raul Labrador.
Mayors ask Idaho county to start again on comprehensive plan The mayors of Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum and Post Falls sent a letter to the Kootenai County Commission asking the Idaho county to ditch its comprehensive plan and to begin again, getting more public input on the process this time around.
Idaho county fixes postage problem with absentee ballots Absentee ballots in Kootenai County were mistakenly returned to voters for additional postage, but election officials in the Idaho county said the problem has been resolved, and all absentee ballots mailed in would be counted.
Allred: Idaho needs to stay involved in wolf management Keith Allred, the Democrat who is running against Republican Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, said he'd reverse Otter's decision to pull out of wolf management.
Oilsands opponents take fight to Idaho highway Environmental groups who decry the impact Alberta's oilsands operations have had on the environment are joining a dispute two Idaho residents are waging over shipping components of those operations from Idaho's Port of Lewiston along the scenic, winding Highway 12 into Montana.
Utah Wildlife Board joins call to delist gray wolves The Utah Wildlife Board, which sets wildlife policy for the state, sent a letter to Utah's congressional delegation expressing the board's support for legislation that would remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list.
GOP bus tour takes message to Idaho's rural voters The Idaho GOP Bus Tour is taking candidates through the less-populated areas of the state, and this week Republican candidates were meeting with rural voters on the south-central portion of the state.
Idaho governor softens stance on wolves, tells hunters not to shoot The day after Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he considered elk and moose the state's livestock and that hunters could shoot wolves that pursue elk or moose, Otter stepped back a bit from that position and warned that shooting wolves in Idaho is a federal offense.
Idaho congressional candidates question each other's business experience Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick and his Republican challenger Raul Labrador, tangled at a Meridian Chamber of Commerce forum Tuesday, with each questioning the other's business experience and commitment to small business.
Idaho legislator cuts check to put timber dispute to rest Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart wrote a $2,450 check to the state to pay for timber he cut on state lands in 1996, in the hopes that the payment will end that dispute.
Idaho state Sen. Clint Stennett dies Idaho state Sen. Clint Stennett, who was forced to sit out the past two legislative session due to health complications, died Thursday afternoon
Wolf dispute puts Endangered Species Act in political cross-hairs Frustration with a federal court order that put wolves in Montana and Idaho back on the endangered species list has created a backlash of legislation that targets the Endangered Species Act itself.
Idaho officials say Montana congressman misspoke on wolves Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg told a group of Safari Club members Thursday that Idaho planned to ignore federal wolf protections, but on Friday, Idaho officials denied any such plans.
Legislators from Idaho, Montana, Wyoming work on wolf issue Six state lawmakers from Idaho, and four each from Montana and Wyoming, are on a committee to work on a plan to get wolves in those states off the federal endangered species list and under state control.
Idaho congressional candidates spar over campaign ads For the first half of their only televised debate, Idaho Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick and his Republican challenger, Raul Labrador, bickered about each other's campaign ads, which earned them a rebuke from Independent candidate Dave Olson for not focusing on issues.
Idaho congressional candidates disagree on immigration, 17th Amendment Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick and his Republican challenger Raul Labrador disagreed on repealing the U.S. Constitution's 17th Amendment and immigration when they met for a debate on Wednesday.
Third gubernatorial debate in Idaho includes independent candidate Jana Kemp, an independent candidate in the Idaho gubernatorial race, didn't get to participate in the first two debates, which featured Democrat Keith Allred and Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, but on Wednesday, she took full advantage of her opportunity to spar with Allred and Otter over education, tax exemptions and the budget in a televised debate that was broadcast statewide.
Taxes, federal spending top issues in Idaho U.S. Senate debate Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and Tom Sullivan, his Democratic challenger, met for a televised debate Tuesday night, where Crapo supported the extension of all tax cuts put in place during the Bush administration and Sullivan said those cuts should be allowed to lapse, as they benefited only the nation's most wealthy.
Idaho ballot has 4 proposed amendments to state's Constitution When Idaho voters go to the polls on Nov. 2, they will decide the fate of four proposed Constitutional amendments, including one that would allow public utilities, airports and hospitals to incur debt without getting prior public approval.
Counties ask Utah governor to intervene in Ruby Pipeline dispute Officials of five counties in northern Utah asked Gov. Gary Herbert to press El Paso Corp., the developer of the Ruby Pipeline that will carry natural gas 680 miles from Wyoming to Oregon, to cancel its agreements with Western Watersheds Project and Oregon Natural Desert Association that will allow those groups to buy federal grazing leases along the pipeline's path.
Early voting begins today in Idaho's Ada, Canyon counties Voters in Idaho's Ada and Canyon counties can cast their votes early beginning today, either by going to election offices in Boise and Caldwell, respectively, or by requesting an absentee ballot from their county's clerks by Oct. 27.
Idaho U.S. Senate candidates debate tonight Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and his Democratic challenger, Tom Sullivan, will debate live on Idaho Public Television at 8 p.m.
Idaho gubernatorial candidate details his plan to end tax exemptions Democrat Keith Allred, who is challenging Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in November, met with members of the Twin Falls Times-News editorial board and presented his plan to end tax exemptions that he said are both unfair and cost the state too much, and the video of his interview is available here.
Idaho legislator with tax issues now in trouble for logging state lands Idaho state. Rep. Phil Hart, who's campaign for re-election has been rife with questions about his disputes with federal and state tax agencies, is now under fire for logging state school land without permission to get logs to build his home in 1996, although he claimed in litigation that a loophole in state law allowed residents to log state lands for timber to build a home.
IDPTV to televise debates with U.S. Senate candidates Oct. 12 Idaho Public Television, in partnership with the Idaho Press Club and League of Women Voters of Idaho, will offer televised statewide coverage of candidates' debates, including one featuring Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and his Democratic challenger Tom Sullivan, at 8 p.m. Oct. 12.
Hundreds turn out to hear Arizona's 'Sheriff Joe' at Idaho event There wasn't much advance publicity for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's speech at the Women in Red fundraiser for the Kootenai County Republican Women at The Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho Monday, mostly to avoid demonstrations against the Arizona sheriff, but 800 attendees paid $45 apiece to listen to Arpaio discuss how he runs his jail system and to his views on illegal immigration.
Western lawmakers take aim at federal law that protects wolves Senators from Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming have filed legislation that would remove wolves in those states from the federal endangered species list.
Western senators sponsor bill to remove wolves from ESA list A bill sponsored by Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, Utah U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, and Wyoming U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi would remove federal endangered species protections from wolves in the Northern Rockies.
Idaho gubernatorial race goes the cowboy way Both Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his Democratic challenger, Keith Allred, are champion horsemen, and the gubernatorial race has definitely taken on a Western bent.
Romney to again lend support to Otter in Idaho gubernatorial race Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012, will campaign for Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in October.
Nine Idaho doctors criticize state's lawsuit over health care reform Doctors in the Idaho chapter of the Idaho chapter of Doctors for America, a national group that champions access to quality health care for Americans, signed off on a letter to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden criticizing him for suing the federal government over health care reform.
Idaho senators to submit bill today to delist wolves in Idaho, Montana Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch said the legislation they intend to introduce today to remove federal endangered species protections from wolves in Idaho and Montana, as well as portions of Utah, Oregon and Washington, is a response to a federal district court ruling that put wolves in Idaho and Montana back under federal protection.
Federal judge halts Idaho cuts to programs for developmentally disabled U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill put Idaho's plan to end payments to 400 developmentally disabled adults on hold to allow the court time to confirm that they understood their right to fight the decision to end their benefits.
Idaho lawmaker wants to revamp state Tax Commission Idaho state Rep. Wendy Jaquet said the State Tax Commission needs to be restructured, given the number of complaints about how the panel has handed out sweetheart deals for some taxpayers, and said she'll submit legislation to create a new Department of Revenue and Taxation.
Idaho lawmakers warn of more budget cuts Idaho legislators said the state is currently facing a $140-million budget shortfall, which means more budget cuts in the 2011 session.
GE official warns Wyoming lawmakers of missed opportunities At a hearing before the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee on Monday, Keith A. White, director of GE Energy's coal gasification business, said the federal government's inaction on energy and climate change legislation has stalled long-term investment in advanced coal technology in Wyoming.
Idaho congressman signs on to bill to prevent firearm restrictions on federal lands On Monday, Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson signed on as a co-sponsor to Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg's House Resolution 5523, which expressly forbids firearms restrictions on federal lands.
Idaho senators at work on legislation to exempt wolves from ESA Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are working on legislation that would remove wolves in the state from the federal endangered species list, and are communicating with Montana's senators and congressman about similar bills which they are drafting.
Idaho County commission declares wolf emergency The Idaho County Commission declared a local disaster on wolves on Thursday, and asked Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to declare an ongoing disaster from wolves' effect on livestock and wildlife that would allow wolves to be shot on sight.
Idaho beer, wine makers fear federal law will crush markets A federal bill that would allow states to ban direct sales of wine and beer to consumers has Idaho beer breweries and wineries concerned that their burgeoning online sales will be cut off.
Rehberg drafts bill to return wolf management to Idaho, Montana Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg released a draft of a brief, two-page bill that would return wolf management to Idaho and Montana, and the state's U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester said they would have similar legislation prepared by next week.
Montana DOT director says USFS concerns already heard The letters to Montana's Department of Transportation from the supervisors of the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho and the Lolo National Forest in Montana about a plan to transport large pieces of mining and refinery equipment along Highway 12 in those state came months after the public comment period closed, but DOT Director Jim Lynch said the Forest Service supervisors' concerns were duplicative of comments already received.
Idaho gubernatorial candidates debate Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his Democratic challenger met Wednesday for an hourlong debate, where Otter touted his real-life experience and Allred championed a change in state leadership.
Whistleblowers say Idaho Tax Commission deals cost state $75M The former and present employees of the Idaho Tax Commission that are airing details about secret deals cut by the commission with taxpayers said that there are currently compromises in the works that will cut the state's tax revenue by $75 million.
Oregon congressman questions Idaho-Montana big-rig transport plan In a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, an Oregon congressman who chairs a House subcommittee on highways, criticized the use of U.S. highways in Idaho and Montana to transport heavy pieces of mining equipment from Korea to Alberta's oilsands operations.
Newspaper says Idaho gubernatorial candidates' ads stretch the truth A fact-check done by the Spokane Spokesman-Review of the campaign ads run by Idaho gubernatorial candidates Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his Democratic challenger Keith Allred, found that both candidates stretch the truth a bit in their ads.
Idaho governor gives federal government deadline on wolf management Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said that if the federal government doesn't provide more funding and give the state more flexibility on managing problem wolves by Oct. 7, he will take the state out of wolf management.
Former Idaho governor takes job as insurance lobbyist Dirk Kempthorne, who served as Idaho governor, a U.S. senator and as secretary of the Interior, will take a post as lead lobbyist for the American Council of Life Insurers on Nov. 3.
Employees of Idaho Tax Commission join lawsuit The lawsuit filed by Idaho state Rep. Shirley Ringo against the Idaho State Tax Commission alleging the board gives secret deals to individuals and corporations that reduces the state's tax revenues by millions now has the support of eight current and former employees of the Commission.
Idaho lone western state to file brief in support of Arizona immigration law Eleven states, including Idaho, have filed "friend of the court" briefs in support of Arizona's appeal of a federal court decision that blocked implementation of key provisions of its immigration law.
Federal magistrate: States' gun rights lawsuits should be dismissed U.S. Federal Magistrate Jeremiah Lynch recommended Tuesday that a lawsuit filed by gun advocates and backed by Montana, Utah, Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and West Virginia that guns and ammunition made in those states and kept within their borders are not subject to federal control should be dismissed.
Idaho legislator steps down from budget committee Frank Henderson, a Republican legislator from Post Falls, resigned from the powerful Idaho Legislature's 20-member Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee because he wants more time to focus on economic development legislation.
Wyoming stands firm on wolf management Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal said the fact that neither Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer nor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter have bothered to call him to discuss wolf management after a federal court put wolves in those states back under federal protection to bring their policies in line with Wyoming's, is a clear indication that they know Wyoming isn't going to move an inch on the issue.
Idaho tax board denies legislator's appeal Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart lost his appeal of an order to pay $53,000 in back state income taxes, penalties and interest to the state Board of Tax Appeals, who ruled Thursday that Hart's appeal wasn't filed in a timely manner.
Idaho state senator named as co-chair of national education panel Idaho state Sen. John Goedde was appointed co-chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures' Education Committee.
Court sets new deadline for Congress to act on Cobell settlement On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan of Washington, D.C., set an Oct. 15 deadline for Congress to act on the $3.4-billion settlement of class-action litigation over federal mismanagement of Indian trust accounts, and attorneys for Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet Tribe member from Montana who is the lead plaintiff in the litigation, are working with congressional staff to get the settlement before the Senate again.
Montana FWP to meet with ranchers, hunters on wolf options Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials said they're exploring a range of options in light of a recent federal court decision that put wolves back under federal protection, and they will discuss those options with members of groups who want wolves back under state management at a meeting this morning in Helena.
Debate between Idaho gubernatorial candidates a lively one Idaho U.S. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his Democratic challenger, Keith Allred, met Thursday for the first of four debates, trading jabs on taxes, public education and each other's experience.
R-Calf wants Montanans on the bus to USDA meeting in Colorado On Aug. 27, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice are co-sponsoring a gathering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins to discuss the lack of competition in the beef industry. Bill Bullard, CEO of Montana-based R-CALF, is working to get 25,000 livestock producers to attend that meeting to get the federal government's attention about problems in the cattle industry.
Montana congressman co-sponsors bill to delist wolves Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg and Texas U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards are co-sponsoring legislation that would specifically exclude wolves from listing as an endangered species, and Montana Sen. Max Baucus said he is working on a bill to put wolves under state management.
Group ranks Montana third in per-capita federal stimulus funds The investigative website ProPublica said Alaska ranked first in the nation for federal stimulus spending, with the Last Frontier State getting $3,145 in federal funds for each of its citizens; South Dakota ranked second with $1,781 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds per resident; and Montana came in third with $1,744 per resident.
Idaho will require $10 million bond on big-rig shipments ConocoPhillips, the company that wants to ship massive pieces of refinery equipment from Idaho's Port of Lewiston to its refinery in Billings, Mont., has already agreed to post a $10 million bond, and Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he'll secure a similar bond from a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil that wants to ship mining equipment from the Idaho port to oilsands operations in Alberta.
Idaho gubernatorial candidates debate Thursday Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and his Democratic challenger Keith Allred will meet for their first debate on Thursday in Idaho Falls.
Wyoming governor: Federal government should pay for wolf plan Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal said the fact that his state is 100 percent in the wolf recovery area makes wolf management a different situation than in Idaho or Montana, and that he believes the state is on the right course when it comes to wolves.
Idaho governor stalwart champion of big-rig transport plan Despite mounting opposition to a plan to ship massive loads of refinery and mining equipment from Idaho's Port of Lewiston across Lolo Pass and through Montana, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says the project won't have a negative impact on the state's roads and should move forward.
Idaho Realtors endorse Simpson, Minnick and Crapo On Thursday, the Idaho Association of Realtors endorsed incumbents U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick, as well as U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, in their re-election bids.
Idaho state economist says recovery is beginning Idaho Chief Economist Mike Ferguson said revenue forecasts indicate that the state's income and job prospects have improved over the past six months.
State court decision halts logging project in Idaho Panhandle NF The Lands Council won its lawsuit against the Idaho Panhandle National Forest this week when a state district court halted the Bussel Creek Forest Health Project on 2,137 acres in Shoshone County.
Idaho senator's bill would allow heavier trucks on nation's roadways Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo introduced legislation last week that would allow states to increase allowable truck weights of 97,000 pounds on interstate highways within their borders, up from the 80,000 pounds now allowed in Idaho and many other states.
Anti-spending group names Idaho lawmakers 'heroes' Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick was the only Democrat on the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste's list of "Taxpayer Heroes," and his colleagues in the Senate, Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, were also granted "Hero" status by the group.
EPA hearing on Idaho basin cleanup plan draws hundreds Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch Otter, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and federal Environmental Protection Agency officials heard plenty at the public meeting Monday night in Kellogg on the EPA's clean-up plan for the Upper Basin of the Coeur d'Alene River, with many residents questioning the need for the cleanup, while others questioned the timeline and the cost, and others pressed for an extension of the public comment deadline.
With 37 gubernatorial seats in play, parties pour funds into races Voters in 37 states will select a governor in the mid-term elections in November, and with the winners playing a primary role in deciding which party benefits from the once-in-a-decade redrawing of Congressional and state legislative districts next year, the parties are pouring millions of dollars of cash into those races.
Federal bill could funnel $50 million into Idaho's education budget If the U.S. House of Representatives passes legislation approved by the Senate last week, Idaho could get $50 million to help avoid education cuts.
Wyoming governor, gubernatorial candidates stay the course on wolves After a federal district court judge put wolves in Montana and Idaho back on the federal Endangered Species list, in part because Wyoming's management plan kept wolves in that state under federal protection, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal remained steadfast on the state's dual-management plan, a position with which the four Republican gubernatorial candidates agreed.
Idaho governor, congressman at odds over big-rig transport plan Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he believes the proposal to transport more than 200 loads of massive pieces of mining equipment from the Port of Lewiston, through Idaho and Montana to Alberta's oilsands country, will get the appropriate safety and environmental reviews before the trucks start rolling, but U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick said a public hearing with appropriate advance notice and a thorough vetting of the proposal is needed.
Idaho congressman remains optimistic about CIEDRA U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson met Thursday with members of the Twin Falls Times-News editorial board, where he said he believed his Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, a wilderness bill he's been working to pass for a decade, is still viable; Simpson is optimistic that Republicans will take the majority in the U.S. House in November, clearing the way for him to become chairman of the House Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, a part of the House Appropriations Committee.
Idaho congressman wins endorsement of building group The Idaho Associated General Contractors called U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick "fair and proactive" in their endorsement of the Democratic congressman's re-election.
National forest in Idaho walks away from land-swap proposal Public opposition to the Clearwater National Forest's proposed land swap with Western Pacific Timber was a factor in the Idaho national forest's decision to walk away from the proposal, although Forest Service officials said it is working on other options.
Voters in Idaho's Canyon County again nix jail bond The third time was not a charm for Canyon County's attempt to get a jail bond passed for a newer, bigger jail in the Idaho county, as voters on Tuesday again denied the bond.
Idaho congressman kills provision that would allow buyout of grazing leases Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson removed a provision from the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011 that would have created a national pilot program that would have allowed willing sellers to sell their grazing leases to buyers who would then retire the leases, a move some questioned because Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act calls for a similar, voluntary program.
Idaho gubernatorial candidate says he'll cut gas tax Keith Allred, the Democratic candidate who is challenging Republican incumbent Gov. C.L. Butch Otter in November, said he'd reduce the state's per-gallon gas tax by 3 cents, and would increase fees paid by heavy trucks to make up the difference.
Report tracks immigrants' contribution to states' economies The Immigration Policy Center released a report last week that tracked the economic and political influence of Latino and Asian immigrations in each of the 50 states. The report finds that in Idaho, the number of Latinos with college degrees increased nearly 100 percent between 2000 and 2008, and that Latino-owned businesses had sales and receipts of $351.8 million and employed 3,149 people in 2002, the latest year for which numbers are available.
U.S. Senate rejects $3.4-billion Cobell settlement The U.S. Senate stripped $20 billion in funding out of a $60-billion appropriations bill for President Barack Obama's troop surge in Afghanistan late Wednesday, including the $3.4-billion to settle the Cobell Indian trust class action lawsuit.
Idaho school district's new bus plan has parents fighting mad Meridian School District is Idaho's largest, and in order to meet new budget restrictions, the district reduced and revamped its school bus plans, expanding the zones in which students are expected to walk to school, and parents who are angry about cuts to education plan to vent their anger during the next legislative election.
Idaho governor earns rare endorsement from state food producers The last time Food Producers of Idaho, a consortium of commodity groups and farm organizations, endorsed a candidate for office was two decades ago, and the group has rarely endorsed a gubernatorial candidate, but Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter earned the endorsement for his re-election run.
USFWS to give Palouse earthworm another look for ESA listing Wheat farmers in the Palouse region on the Washington-Idaho border, who were concerned that federal protection of the Palouse earthworm would impact their business, were dismayed to hear that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would again study the species for possible protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, because they thought a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision earlier this year put the issue at rest.
Idaho legislator may owe $700K in back taxes Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart, who is facing a state ethics investigation over charges he used his legislative position in fighting taxes, may owe more than $644,000 to the federal government in back taxes, and state taxes that push his total tax troubles to near $700,000.
Idaho senators vote against financial reform bill Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crap and Jim Risch said they voted against the financial reform bill because they believed it would do little to make the national economy more secure.
Idaho groups dispute state's assertion it can't block big-rig shipments Advocates for the West, Idaho Rivers United and Friends of the Clearwater are challenging the Idaho Department of Transportation's position that it has no option but to issue permits for shipments of massive pieces of mining equipment if the transport company can prove they can do so safely without causing any damage, while in Montana, the Missoula County Commission called on that state to do a more thorough review of the plan to ship the large loads from Idaho's Port of Lewiston to Alberta's oilsands country.
Idaho lawmaker formally denies ethics charges Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart filed a formal response to ethics charges brought against him by House Minority Leader John Rusche of Lewiston, denying those complaints.
Idaho Republican leaders: Balanced budget proof they were right Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Republican legislators said budget figures at the end of the fiscal year June 30 proved that budget cuts were necessary and that they worked.
Governor latest Idaho Republican to decline to sign GOP loyalty oath Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he would not comply with the Idaho Republican Party's resolution adopted last month at its state convention that requires candidates for elected offices either sign a statement agreeing with the party's platform or list issues with which they disagree.
Immigration top topic at National Governors Association meeting At the National Governors Association meeting this weekend in Boston, Democratic governors facing tough re-election races questioned the federal government's decision to challenge Arizona's immigration law.
Idaho senator withdraws support for CIEDRA U.S. Sen. Jim Risch said he could not support U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act in its present form, and said he only offered to co-sponsor the bill with his colleague Sen. Mike Crapo as a favor to Simpson.
Idaho congressman declines to take state GOP loyalty oath During a visit with the Idaho Statesman editorial board on Thursday, six-term Congressman Mike Simpson criticized the Idaho Republican Party's resolution to require GOP candidates sign onto the party's full platform or identify those with which they disagree, and said that the only oath he takes is the one that requires him to uphold and defend the Constitution.
Idaho senator visits Coeur d'Alene clinic U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo spent some time Thursday at the Coeur d'Alene Dirne Family Practice Center to get an on-the-ground look at health care in Idaho, and he learned that the clinic experienced a 17-percent increase in patient numbers in 2009 and the number of homeless patients treated increased 48 percent that year.
California congressman's bill gives Congress a role in monument designation California U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes and 13 Republican co-sponsors are championing legislation that would limit the president's power to designate national monuments by requiring such designations get congressional approval within two years. Editor's note: The article indicates there are 11 co-sponsors but Nunes' Web site indicates there are 13, including GOP congressmen from Utah, Colorado, Montana and Idaho.
Ethics panel begins investigation of Idaho legislator The members of the Idaho House Ethics Committee have begun their investigation of state Rep. Phil Hart, who is facing ethics charges arising out of his repeated delays in paying state and federal taxes and for possible conflict of interest for serving on the state House Revenue and Taxation Committee while fighting personal tax charges.
Outspoken critic of wolf reintroduction to talk tonight in Montana Jim Beers worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 32 years, and since his retirement, he has been an vocal opponent of the federal Endangered Species Act and wolf reintroduction; tonight he'll share his views at a Celebrating Conservatism meeting in Hamilton, Mont.
Nonresidents like Utah's concealed weapon permits Utah's concealed weapon permits are fairly inexpensive, accepted in most other states, and the classes needed to get one can be taken anywhere, making the permits a favorite with nonresidents.
U.S. House attaches Cobell settlement to war-funding bill In an effort to get the $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit against the federal government over management of tribal assets approved by the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House added the provision to a $80-billion appropriations bill that contains funding for the war in Afghanistan.
Some Idaho lawmakers refuse to sign GOP loyalty oath At the Idaho Republican Party's convention last Saturday, former Idaho state Senate majority leader Rod Beck presented a provision that all Republican candidates pledge support for the GOP platform - or list the planks with which they disagree. A handful of state legislators said they would not sign the pledge, although some said they have already complied with Beck's request.
Idaho's federal lawmakers laud Yucca Mountain decision Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, as well as U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, spoke in support of Tuesday's decision of a three-judge panel of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that denied the Department of Energy's request to withdraw its application to create a nuclear waste repository in Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Idaho U.S. Rep. Minnick Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick of Idaho was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday for his "common sense" approach on addressing the nation's economic woes.
Cobell settlement bill excised from unemployment benefits legislation The $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit over the federal government's management of tribal assets had been attached to legislation to extend unemployment benefits, but that measure has proved difficult to get the U.S. Senate's approval, so the Cobell provision was removed; it will either be tacked onto another piece of "must-pass" legislation or will proceed as a stand-alone bill.
Western governors discuss water, energy as meeting winds down At the Western Governors' Association meeting in Montana this week, members debated on how best to meet the water needs of growing populations in the arid West, as well as the need for new transmission projects and a level playing field for different forms of energy production.
U.S. Senate fight on jobless bill shackles Cobell settlement The $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit on the federal government's handling of tribal assets is caught in the U.S. Senate's fight over unemployment benefits and tax breaks.
Montana governor urges Flathead protection at WGA meeting Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer used his position as chairman of the Western Governors' Association to press the federal government for the $17 million needed to compensate British Columbia mining companies for agreeing not to develop energy leases they hold in the headwaters of the Flathead River that flows into Montana and forms the west border of Glacier National Park.
Idaho, Montana senators urge U.S. not to ignore northern border A dozen senators from seven states that share a border with Canada signed off on a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, urging the United States not to forget about the nation's northern border when allocating security funds.
Senate standoff means Idaho jobless benefits near end After the U.S. Senate failed to end a filibuster on extending jobless benefits through June 2011, the Idaho Department of Labor said hundreds of unemployed workers in Idaho will lose their benefits each week between no and the end of August.
Federal lawmakers press Salazar over PILT payments Fourteen senators and 21 U.S. House representatives that are members of the Western Congressional Caucus signed off on a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar requesting that at least estimated Payment in Lieu of Taxes be made to local governments by the end of June. Their letter was prompted by the Interior Department's announcement that such payments would not be made until late July.
Idaho Republican Convention in Idaho Falls Friday, Saturday Idaho Republicans will consider more than 40 resolutions at their annual convention in Idaho Falls that begins on Friday. A number of those resolutions will address the state's rights on national health care reform and proposed cap-and-trade energy legislation.
U.S. Senate confirms Olson as U.S. Attorney for Idaho The U.S. Senate confirmed Wendy Olson, a Boise woman who has served with the U.S. Attorney's office as the state's U.S. Attorney since 1997.
Gender equity on Idaho governor's agenda today One in seven women in Idaho live below the poverty line, compared to one in nine men in the state, and the Gem State ranks 45th nationally in pay equity between the genders. Today Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter will host an open forum on women's issues at the Statehouse.
RNC chairman gives Idaho Republicans a list of lawmakers to fire At an event in Sun Valley Friday night, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele told hundreds of Republicans that they had the power to fire government officials who weren't doing their jobs. Steele said Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer and Henry Waxman, should all lose their jobs.
Idaho lawmaker drafts medical-marijuana legislation A draft bill allowing the use of medical marijuana in Idaho will make its debut at the Idaho Republican Party Convention next week in Idaho Falls, when Moscow GOP Rep. Tom Trail submits a resolution for the party's consideration.
Idaho lawmaker focus of state House ethics investigation Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney said he'll appoint a committee by the end of next week to investigate state Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, who has invoked legislative privilege in tax proceedings against him by the state tax commission and the Internal Revenue Service.
After Senate hearing, Simpson remains confident about CIEDRA The groups that oppose U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act acknowledge that the bill to designate three wilderness areas, totaling 332,775 acres, has been revised to address some of their concerns, but they still oppose the legislation, which got a hearing before a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday. Editor's note: This article has a good map of the area affected by the legislation that shows proposed changes in trail access.
Simpson, Crapo: Idaho wilderness bill could use some tweaking At a Senate subcommittee hearing on the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill, the bill's sponsors, Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, as well as U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, the Idaho senator who sits on the panel, said there are still some unresolved issues in the bill, while Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter restated his opposition to the bill in a letter to Risch and Crapo.
Idaho businesses send cash to U.S. Rep. Minnick's re-election campaign Republican challenger state Rep. Raul Labrador said the decision of some of Idaho's largest corporations, such as Micron, Qwest, Idaho Power and Simplot, to send campaign cash to Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is due in part to the incumbent's advantage in politics.
President Obama names official to oversee MMS reorganization Michael R. Bromwich, a former assistant U.S. attorney and Justice Department inspector general, will head up the reorganization of the Minerals Management Service, which the Obama administration plans to split into three separate agencies.
Tester asks state to slow down on MSTI location process U.S. Sen. Jon Tester sent a letter to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality asking the agency to give the public more time to comment on the proposed route of the Mountain States Transmission Intertie, a 500-kilovolt line that will run more than 400 miles between Townsend and Twin Falls, Idaho.
New tax woes emerge for Idaho lawmaker Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart has been fighting with the Internal Revenue Service since 1996 when he stopped paying federal and state income taxes and sued the IRS on the basis that income taxes were unconstitutional, and the IRS recently filed $300,000 of liens for unpaid taxes against the incumbent lawmaker who has no challengers in the November general election.
Senate panel to hear testimony on Idaho wilderness bill Wednesday For the first time since he submitted his Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act in 2001, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has the full support of Idaho's entire congressional delegation, and this week, the Senate Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee will take testimony on the bill.
Wyoming senator stands firm on amendment to Cobell settlement Despite warnings from federal officials that any changes to the $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit on the handling of assets held in trust for tribes, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso said that he would not withdraw an amendment he has proposed that would, among other things, cap attorney fees at $50 million.
Interior, Justice officials warn Senate not to tweak Cobell settlement U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass the $3.4-billion settlement of the class-action Indian trust litigation without amendment, because any changes could nullify the settlement.
Idaho U.S. senator plans online town hall today U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo will hold an online town hall meeting today to discuss implementation of the federal health care law, as well as federal spending, with Idahoans.
Idaho lawmaker sues state over secret tax deals Idaho state Rep. Shirley Ringo filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Idaho Legislature, the state Tax Commission, and all four tax commissioners, Chairman Royce Chigbrow, Tom Katsilometes, Sam Haws and David Langhorst, alleging that some secret tax deals with wealthy taxpayers violated the "uniform tax" provision of the state's Constitution.
Transmission routes, PILT funds top agenda of Idaho county officials The Cassia County commissioners met with representatives of Idaho's congressional delegation on Monday to discuss support for transmission-line routes and the importance of continued funding for the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program.
Idaho's increase in food stamp use the nation's highest Across the United States, food stamp use increased 21 percent in the last year, and in Idaho, the rate of increase was 43 percent, the highest in the nation.
Idaho counties join 'Secure Communities' to check immigration status Ada and Canyon counties are the first in Idaho to join the "Secure Communities" program, which allows local law enforcement to check fingerprints of suspected criminals with records kept by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Idaho fines 2 groups for breaking state campaign laws Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa said Citizens for Justice and Citizens for Commonsense Solutions were fined a total of $1,900 for not having a certified treasurer before taking thousands of dollars in donations from Frank VanderSloot, a millionaire Idaho Falls businessman, who tried to influence the outcome of the Idaho Supreme Court primary.
Idaho U.S. Senate candidate has a bucketful of tax woes Tom Sullivan, the winner of the Democratic primary in Idaho's U.S. Senate race, owes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the federal and state governments.
Colorado makes sweeping education reforms for 'Race to Top' The federal "Race to the Top" education program is accepting applications for a second round of funding, and some states such as Colorado, have implemented sweeping reforms in an effort to win money this round, while other states that applied unsuccessfully for the first round of funding, including Idaho, Wyoming and Oregon, have decided not to re-apply.
Hunting issue snarls Idaho city's plan to sell land to state Boise wants to sell a 701-acre parcel of land on Hammer Flats to the Idaho Fish and Game Department, but city officials don't want hunting allowed on the land - and Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said the state agency won't buy any land on which hunting is banned.
Democratic candidate for Idaho governor appeals to all moderates Keith Allred knows that he has an uphill battle against Idaho's Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, but the Democratic candidate believes he appeals to moderates of all stripes.
Salazar taps Abbey as interim director of MMS Bob Abbey served as director Bureau of Land Management lands in Nevada before President Obama named him to lead the Bureau of Land Management last year, and on Friday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar appointed him as interim director of the Minerals Management Service to replace S. Elizabeth Birnbaum, who resigned last Thursday.
U.S. House panel moves Cobell settlement forward Democratic members of the U.S. House Rules Committee vetoed a measure proposed by Washington state U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings to cap legal fees and make other changes to the $3.4-billion settlement of the class-action litigation on the federal government's handling of tribal assets, moving the Cobell settlement ahead; a federal court has given Congress a May 28 deadline to appropriate the funds necessary to settle the litigation.
Idaho Republicans rally around Labrador after primary win After Raul Labrador upset Republican front-runner Vaughn Ward in the GOP primary for the Idaho's 1st Congressional District race, party leaders rallied around Labrador.
Republican state senator loses primary run in Idaho Idaho state Sen. Chuck Coiner lost his bid for a fourth term in Idaho's Republican primary on Tuesday, with voters selecting Lee Heider to be their nominee for the District 24 seat.
Utah congressman warns ESA rules put U.S.'s Northern border at risk Utah U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop is leading a committee of Republican lawmakers calling for a relaxation of endangered species protections for grizzly bears along the Washington state-British Columbia border to allow border patrol agents to use vehicles to keep that stretch of the nation's border secure.
Idaho Republicans pick Labrador, Crapo, Otter in primary State lawmaker Raul Labrador is the Republican Party's nominee in Idaho's 1st Congressional District race, and will face the Democratic incumbent, U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick in November's general election; incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo easily won his race for the GOP nominee, and will run against Democrat P. Tom Sullivan in the general election; and incumbent Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter defeated five Republican challengers to win the GOP nomination; Keith Allred is the Democratic Party's nominee for governor.
Idaho senator asks congressional hopeful to correct campaign statement On Monday morning, less than 24 hours before voting began in Idaho's primary on Tuesday, Vaughn Ward, who is seeking the Republican Party's nomination in the state's 1st Congressional District race, sent out an e-mail appealing for votes that used a 2007 quote from Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo that incorrectly implied the Republican senator was endorsing Ward.
Idaho uses Web to entice Washington, Oregon businesses Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has taken his campaign to lure Washington and Oregon businesses, which are dealing with new taxes to address budget shortfalls in those states, to relocate to Idaho to the Internet.
Palin stumps in Boise for Idaho GOP congressional candidate Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was in Boise on Friday to campaign for Republican congressional hopeful Vaughn Ward.
Idaho senator joins drive to give beer brewers a tax break Idaho may not have the microbreweries Massachusetts and Oregon have, but Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said all that could change if the legislation he is co-sponsoring with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden to give the nation's 15,000 small beer brewers a tax break is enacted.
Palin to attend rally Friday in Idaho for GOP congressional candidate Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will attend a rally for Vaughn Ward, a Republican who is running for Idaho's 1st Congressional District seat on Friday in Boise.
Idaho governor's foes deride him for sitting out debate At a debate Tuesday night that Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter declined to participate in because not all his Republican challengers were invited, Rex Rammell and Sharon Ullman, the two GOP candidates that were invited, lambasted Otter for not participating, as well as for his proposal to increase gas taxes in 2009 and for not doing enough to bring more jobs to the state.
Interior Dept. releases new rules on onshore drilling Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey said the new rules on onshore drilling adopted Monday would restore some balance to the process, but Utah U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop said the federal government had again sided with anti-energy groups and piled on more red tape and redundant bureaucracy to slow down the permitting process.
Idaho governor takes 'all or none' stance on GOP debate Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter won't participate in Tuesday's debate between Republican gubernatorial candidates because he disagreed with organizers' decision to use "proof of an active campaign" as a criteria for including candidates, which kept Tamara Wells, Ron "Pete" Peterson, and Walt Bayes from being invited to debate.
Idaho congressional candidate explains duplication of mission statements After a reporter questioned Vaughn Ward about statements on his website that appeared to be copied from other candidates' websites, the Republican candidate for Idaho's First Congressional District disabled the site and said the duplication of such statements was a technical error.
Obama pick returns salmon recovery expert back to post Will Stelle was the Northwest regional administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2000 when the NMFS released its biological opinion that steelhead and salmon populations in the Columbia and Snake rivers could be conserved without breaching four dams on the lower Snake River in Washington, and on June 1, Stelle will return to that post.
U.S. Chambers honors Idaho's federal lawmakers Federal lawmakers win U.S. Chambers of Commerce "Spirit of Enterprise" awards if they support the Chamber's position 70 percent of the time, and this year all four members of Idaho's congressional delegation won such awards, with U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick leading the pack with a 87 percent voting rate.
Idaho Health, Welfare office in Rupert closes for good The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is closing nine offices across the state to pare its operating budget down by $7 million, and on Tuesday, the offices in Rupert and Bellevue were closed for good, with additional offices around the state slated to close the end of this month.
Three Western states mull immigration changes similar to Arizona Despite the outrage that erupted after Arizona passed an immigration law that gives law enforcement great latitude on detaining people and checking their immigration status, at least 10 other states are working on immigration-related bills, including Colorado, Idaho and Utah.
Idaho congressman: 'It's a tough year for incumbents' Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has faced tough challenges in the past for Idaho's Second Congressional District seat, but this year the moderate Republican says it will be even harder, given the anti-incumbent mood in the nation.
Idaho among 18 states that decline to run high-risk insurance pools Idaho is one of the 18 states that will leave the administration of an insurance pool for people considered high risk to the federal government.
April revenues in Idaho down a bit Idaho fell $13.5 million short of estimated revenues in April, a decrease Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said would not require holdbacks or a special session of the Legislature.
Brooklyn lawyer runs Idaho U.S. Senate campaign from New York William Bryk, the Brooklyn attorney and Democratic candidate for the Idaho U.S. Senate seat now held by Republic Mike Crapo, has yet to set foot in Idaho, but he said he had to run to give Idahoans a choice in the November election.
Idaho gubernatorial candidate has T.Rex as campaign mascot Rex Rammell is one of four Republicans running to be Idaho's next governor, and Rammell tows an inflatable giant, green Tyrannosaurus rex along with him on campaign stops to signify how tough he'll be in confrontations with the federal government.
Idaho Health, Welfare Dept. announces office-closure dates The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced earlier this month that it would close nine offices and lay off 126 employees within its system. On Thursday, the department announced the dates on which those nine offices would close.
Candidates in Idaho's top races forgo Tea Party survey Fewer than half of the 17 candidates seeking federal offices in Idaho have completed the Tea Party survey in a timely manner. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and state Rep. Raul Labrador were among the eight that did so. U.S. Rep Walt Minnick "opted out" - meaning he submitted the survey by the April 24 deadline but didn't complete it. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Vaughn Ward, who is running against Labrador in the 1st District GOP race, both missed the deadline.
Idaho governor opts out of GOP primary debate Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter declined an invitation from the League of Women Voters and the Idaho Press Club to participate in a May 18 televised debate in advance of the May 25 Republican primary.
Two more Idaho school districts declare financial emergency Under Idaho law, school districts that declare a financial emergency can reopen teacher contract negotiations, and on Tuesday, Cassia County School District and Jerome School District joined a handful of other districts that have declared such an emergency.
Idaho lawmakers don't like this version of Clean Water Act bill either Minnesota U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar has again submitted legislation to clarify the Clean Water Act following two Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. But U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and other Idaho officials said the 2010 version still contains problematic language of the proposed 2007 version of the Clean Water Restoration Act.
U.S. House panel wants to hear from Idaho farmers, ranchers Members of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture will be in Nampa on Saturday to get input from Idaho ranchers and farmers about what they'd like to see in the 2012 Farm Bill.
Colorado senator questions scientist's stance on beetle infestations Colorado U.S. Sen. Mark Udall has introduced legislation to increase federal wildfire-mitigation funding to 12 Western states where beetles have killed a large number of trees, but a scientist told members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on Wednesday that drought plays a more important role in wildfire risk and that there is no scientific evidence that fires burn more rapidly or intensely in beetle-killed forests.
Idaho county, tribal accord on law enforcement in jeopardy Coeur d'Alene tribal officials said the deal reached with Benewah County on cross-deputization of law enforcement officials during the past legislative session may be off, after the county submitted a new document that revives disputed issues once settled.
Idaho water exec's retirement drains agency of institutional expertise The Idaho Department of Water Resources has lost 25 percent of its funding over the past two years, and with the retirement of its chief planner, Hal Anderson, the agency will soon lose thirty years of institutional memory.
Western senators team up on NEPA certainty legislation Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe and Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, along with co-sponsors Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi, Idaho Sen. James Risch, Utah Sen. Bob Bennett and Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, introduced the NEPA Certainty Act on Tuesday which is designed to protect federal agencies from having to assess the global warming impacts of individual projects and to minimize efforts to use the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to combat climate change.
Federal judge rules Idaho election law unconstitutional U.S. District Court Magistrate Ronald Bush ruled in favor of Arizona resident Donald Daien, who sued Idaho last year, alleging that the state's election laws discriminated against nonresidents because they are not allowed to circulate petitions in the state.
NRA mum on Montana gun-rights litigation The National Rifle Association is staying out of the litigation filed by gun advocates that challenges federal authority on guns and ammunition made and sold within the state of Montana.
National Tea Party endorses Idaho Democrat The only Democrat in the nation to get the national Tea Party's endorsement is freshman Congressman Walt Minnick of Idaho. Tea Party Boise questioned the decision.
California congressman names 48 'potentially dangerous' mines U.S. Rep. George Miller is the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, which oversees mine safety. Miller released a list of 48 mines that are contesting citations for a large number of serious safety violations; the list includes coal mines in Arizona, Utah and Wyoming; as well as the Bear River Zeolite mine in Idaho; Genesis Inc.'s Troy Mine in Montana; the Meikle and Deep Post mines in Nevada; and the Seattle Plant in Washington state's King County.
Idaho governor allows 4 bills to become law sans signature Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has yet to veto a single bill passed by the Legislature this year, and this week he allowed four more to take effect without his signature.
Post Falls woman launches gubernatorial run in Idaho Tamara Wells, a Post Falls jeweler, hairdresser and a tricologist, is running for the Republican Party's nomination for Idaho governor.
Idaho news startup that covers state capitol part of trend There is some concern that news organizations bankrolled by conservative groups that are focusing their coverage on state capitols in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona and at least a dozen other states may be slanting coverage to address a hidden agenda.
Idaho governor to speak at Tea Party event in E. Washington Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Washington state Rep. Shelly Short will be featured speakers at the Tea Party of Spokane's one-year anniversary Thursday.
Seven states join Montana lawsuit over federal gun laws Monday was the deadline for states to file "friend of court" briefs in a lawsuit filed by gun advocates in Montana against the federal government over gun control; Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, Alabama, South Carolina and West Virginia filed such briefs.
Transmission lines, schools top agenda at Idaho 'Capital for a Day' Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter traveled to Oakley for a "Capital for a Day" event on Monday, where he was peppered with questions about corridors for transmission lines and funding for education.
Idaho governor makes campaign stop in Twin Falls Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter officially launched his re-election campaign this week, and on Thursday he was in Twin Falls where he talked about the economy and his fight to push back the federal government's intrusion on individual rights.
Idaho governor signs early-graduation bill into law Under legislation signed into law by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on Thursday, Idaho high school students who graduate early are eligible for scholarships to the state's universities and colleges.
Idaho gubernatorial candidate says state can do health care better Democrat Keith Allred, who is running for governor in Idaho, said the governors - including Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter - who are suing the federal government over health care reform are ignoring a provision in the law that allows states to get a waiver from the federal law if they implement systems that control costs and improve access to health care, and Allred pledges to do just that.
Business group opposes Idaho's lawsuit on health care reform The Idaho Main Street Alliance Small Business Owners for Change laid out the benefits of health care reform for Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and urged him to abandon the state's challenge of the law.
Idaho governor signs grandparents' rights bill into law Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed legislation into law on Tuesday that will make it easier for grandparents to take custody of children whose parents are no longer in their lives.
Nine Idaho Health, Welfare offices to close next month To deal with fiscal-year 2011 budget cuts, the Idaho Health and Welfare agency plans to close nine of its 29 offices across the state, and lay off 126 workers.
Idaho congressman's bills ban earmarks, give president line-item veto U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick's Budget Enforcement Legislative Tool, BELT, would give the president the power to veto specific provisions of appropriations bills; the Idaho Democrat's other bill, H.R. 1177, would ban earmarks, which are directed budget provisions for specific projects.
Idaho to make pitch for second round of Race to the Top funds Idaho's application for the first round of federal Race to the Top education funds ranked 28th out of the 41 applications submitted, and the state will take another run at the federal pot of money in the second round of funding.
The Idaho Legislature's actions will change lives in the state Now that the Legislature is done, and legislation is being signed into law by the governor, the Idaho Statesman gives Idahoans a preview of how lawmakers' work will change their lives.
Immigration bills among the many that didn't pass in Idaho No new immigration laws emerged from the Idaho Legislature this past session, and other bills, such as one that would have allowed residents to pay their taxes in silver or banned texting while driving didn't pass either.
Idaho Legislature adjourns with health-care message to Congress The last matter on the Idaho Legislature's agenda was a joint resolution asking Congress for a constitutional amendment to prohibit a mandate requiring health insurance for individuals. Contains a roundup of what bills passed, and did not pass, during the session.
Idaho House declines to hold hearings on state land rule changes The decision by the Idaho House to hold hearings on proposed amendments to the state Constitution that would have given the State Land Board more flexibility to sell parcels means that the earliest the matter would go to Idaho voters would be November, 2012.
Idaho tells Medicaid providers their checks will be delayed In order to deal with its revenue deficit, Idaho is delaying state Medicaid payments until after July 1.
Drop in tax revenue could call Idaho legislators back into session Idaho lawmakers should know by the end of April if they'll have to come back to Boise for a special session to address a budget shortfall as more revenue flows into the state's coffers in April than any other month.
Idaho aquifer fund bill stays afloat in House It took powerful political allies to get it done, but legislation that would create a voluntary aquifer fund for irrigators to preserve the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer in Idaho survived a vote Thursday in the House Resources Committee; the measure has already passed in the Senate.
Idaho lawmakers send $1.75B schools budget to Otter Idaho lawmakers said the $1.75-billion public school budget represents a 7.5 percent decrease in funding, the first year in the history of the state that total funding for public education has been reduced.
A number of Idaho bills fail on Wednesday With the end of the legislative session looming by week's end, Idaho lawmakers made short work of some legislation, killing a bill that would have made cockfighting a felony, another that would have created new regulations for swine and poultry operations, and another that would have created new bicycle safety rules.
Colorado senator decries GOP tactic stalling beetle-kill bill Senate Republicans, upset over the health care vote, are invoking a measure that prevents hearings on bills occurring after two hours after the Senate's daily session begins, a process that prevented a hearing on legislation sponsored by Democrat U.S. Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado and Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch to expedite logging operations in areas where pine beetles have killed large swaths of trees.
Idaho bill would exempt Idaho-made firearms from federal laws The Idaho House sent legislation that would exempt firearms made, sold and kept in Idaho from federal regulation to the Senate for action.
Idaho Senate panel dumps bill allowing taxes be paid in silver Legislation that would have allowed Idahoans to pay their taxes using silver bars or medallions made in Idaho was killed Wednesday by the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee.
Idaho AG files lawsuit to raise lease rates on lakeside cabins Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden was one of two members of the state Land Board who opposed the decision to raise lease rates for cabins on Payette and Priest Lakes because he did not believe the increases were high enough, and now he's challenging the lease increases before the Idaho Supreme Court.
Idaho, Montana pitch their states as alternative to tax-happy Oregon After Oregon's voters passed initiatives to raise taxes on business and the state's wealthiest residents, Idaho, Montana and other states have begun marketing their more business-friendly tax structures to Oregon companies.
Idaho's lawsuit on health care reform could be costly The Idaho Statesman answers some questions on why Idaho has joined the constitutional challenge of health care reform, what it might cost, and what states' chances are of winning.
Idaho Senate sends school-lands bill to the House Amendments to the Idaho Constitution that will give the state Land Board more flexibility to sell school trust lands were approved by the Idaho Senate, and now move to the House for a vote.
Bill revamping swine, poultry operations flies to Idaho House The Idaho Senate approved on Tuesday legislation revamping rules for large swine and poultry operations in the state and sent the measure to the House for action.
FAA plan to move TRACON from Idaho airport on hold The U.S. Senate passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration that contained language preventing the agency from relocating its Terminal Radar Approach Control System, or TRACON, now in place at the Boise airport, to Salt Lake City.
Idaho Senate panel advances state-lands measure The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee approved an amendment Monday that will make it easier for the state to sell lands; the measure must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate and the House before moving to the November ballot.
Resolution to give Idaho more say on federal lands moves forward The Senate Resources and Environment Committee voted Monday to send to the full Senate a resolution asking the governor and lawmakers to expand the state's role in the management of federal lands.
Idaho budget cuts send costs downstream to communities When budget cuts again flushed statewide water-quality monitoring in Idaho, Twin Falls was left to its own devices to pay the $3 million to $6 million to meet standards for suspended solids in the river.
Idaho voters to decide fate of three constitutional initiatives In November, Idaho voters will get their say on three constitutional amendments that will change anti-debt provisions in the state's Constitution to allow community-owned airports and hospitals to assume debt without a public vote, and a third that would allow cities to sign contracts for electricity without public approval.
Anti-wolf rally draws 200 to Wyoming town Nearly 200 outfitters, hunters and ranchers gathered in Jackson to rally against wolves on Saturday, and a handful of wolf advocates turned out for the event in Wyoming as well.
Legislative races in southcentral Idaho generate a lot of interest Legislative races in nearly every district in south-central Idaho are contested, and in District 25, five candidates are in the race to replace the retiring Sen. Clint Stennett.
Idaho House panel advances bill on raw milk The Idaho House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved new guidelines for the sale of raw milk that attempt to balance food safety concerns with consumers' desire to buy a product which does not go through any processing before consumption.
Compromise curtails bill on N. Idaho sewage rules Under the original legislation proposed by Idaho state Rep. Eric Anderson, all of the sewage and water-quality rules of the Panhandle Health District would have been eliminated, but a new deal limits the bill's reach to just two rules: one that limits the expansion of the size of a home on an outdated, nonconforming septic system and another that requires dual drainfields in some circumstances for community sewer systems.
Tenth candidate wades into the fray for Idaho governor On the next-to-the-last day for filing to run for office in Idaho, a fifth Republican, Tamara Wells of Post Falls, joined the crowded field, with two Democrats, two independents, and one Libertarian already in the race.
Idaho first in nation to resist federal health care reform Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a bill on Wednesday that directs the state to sue if the federal government makes health care insurance mandatory, making Idaho the first of more than three dozen states that are considering such legislation to actually enact it.
After lawsuit filed, CCA replaces top officials at Idaho prison The Idaho Correctional Center near Boise is the state's only private prison, and on Wednesday, Corrections Corporation of America announced that it would name a new warden and assistant warden at the facility after the ACLU filed a $155-million lawsuit seeking class-action status on behalf of the inmates, alleging the facility is extremely violent and that guards allow prisoners to beat on each other.
Idaho county, tribe reach accord on law enforcement The Idaho Legislature can now drop a bill crafted to give the Coeur d'Alene Tribe authority to arrest non-tribal members on its lands in Benewah County after the tribe and the county's sheriff reached a tentative agreement on cross-deputization.
Luna, Boise schools chief file for Idaho superintendent post Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna kicked off his re-election campaign on Wednesday, and today Boise School District superintendent Stan Olson will launch his campaign challenging Luna.
Idaho senator replumbs his federal drinking-water legislation U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has spent a lot of time lately questioning U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decisions, and the Idaho Republican is trying again on legislation that will allow public water systems that serve 10,000 people or less to opt out of meeting new federal drinking water standards.
Idaho House passes bill to expand state control over federal lands Legislation passed by the Idaho House on a 57-12 vote Tuesday would allow the governor and legislative leaders to investigate if the state could lease federal lands from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to give the state more say on how those lands are managed.
Idaho Senate panel hears testimony on hunter-records bill Idaho Rep. Judy Boyle said she drafted legislation that would shield information on hunting and fishing license applications from public view after wolf hunters' names and addresses were published by a group that opposes wolf hunts; the Senate Resource and Conservation Committee took testimony on the House-passed bill on Monday.
Idaho resolution wants to expand states' rights An Idaho House Committee voted Monday to approve a resolution that calls for Congress to approve amendments to the U.S. Constitution limiting the reach of the Commerce Clause and expanding states' rights under the 10th Amendment; Gov. Dave Freudenthal recently signed similar legislation in Wyoming into law.
Idaho House panel OKs bill allowing taxes to be paid in silver Athol Republican Rep. Phil Hart successfully argued before the House State Affairs Committee that the state should allow taxes to be paid in silver, a bill designed to reinvigorate the state's silver mining industry.
President to propose changes to 'No Child Left Behind' President Obama will provide details of changes he wants made to the federal No Child Left Behind program, including one that changes funding from a formula-based system to one that uses competitive grants.
Obama nominates Idaho woman for state U.S. Attorney post Idaho Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson has been nominated by the Obama administration to serve as the state's U.S. Attorney.
Idaho budget panel trims university spending by $67.6M The budget agreed on by the Idaho Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Tuesday would cut spending for the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Boise State University and Lewis-Clark State College by roughly $32 million over each of the next two years.
Idaho Senate sends 'Health Freedom Act' to Otter The Idaho Health Freedom Act now headed to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's desk bans the enforcement of any federal requirement that Idaho residents and businesses obtain health insurance and mandates that the state's attorney general fight any such requirement.
Former Interior secretary shares her thoughts Lynn Scarlett served eight years in the Bush administration, first as assistant secretary of the Interior and then as Secretary after Gale Norton's resignation, and she recently shared her thoughts about that experience with Los Angeles Times reporter Julie Cart.
Idaho Senate panel advances bill on CAFO records Under legislation approved by the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee on Tuesday, records maintained by confined animal feeding operations, as well as state inspection records of those facilities, would be shielded from public view.
Idaho Legislature opts for incremental immigration legislation The only remaining bill dealing with illegal immigration still alive in the Idaho Legislature is one that increases penalties for falsifying documents for employment purposes.
Idaho governor sends letter to Oregon businesses inviting them over After Oregon voters passed an initiative to raise taxes on businesses and the state's wealthiest residents, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter sent Oregon businesses a letter inviting them to relocate in Idaho, where taxes are more business-friendly.
Western governors tell EPA to leave coal ash regs to states The Western Governors' Association formally opposed the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reclassify coal ash waste as hazardous and said such regulation is best left to states.
Idaho has most ambitious plan for early high-school graduation A number of states are exploring ways to encourage qualified high school students to graduate early, and Idaho's may be the most ambitious, allowing students to graduate up to three years early and offering up to $1,600 in scholarship funds for each year they graduate early.
Grandparents' foster care bill passes in the Idaho House On Friday, the Idaho House unanimously passed a bill that gives qualified relatives of children in the foster care system priority for placing the children in their homes.
Idaho bill sets up state for federal fight on firearms Idaho lawmakers are considering legislation that would exempt all firearms made, sold and kept in Idaho from federal regulations, a bill that mirrors one passed in Montana that is currently being challenged in court.
Idaho lawmakers hear revenues $41M below forecast On Friday, Idaho House leaders confirmed that tax revenues since December have fallen $41 million short of estimates.
Federal government: Listing of sage grouse 'warranted, precluded' On Friday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar carved out a compromise decision on the sage grouse - not giving the bird endangered status, but saying such a listing was warranted, a position that Utah federal lawmakers called an attack on Western states and communities.
Congress again moves deadline to approve Cobell settlement The deadline for Congress approve the funding for the $3.4 billion Indian trust settlement has been delayed again, with the new deadline in the Cobell class action lawsuit now April 16.
Idaho cuts to Medicaid delivers $191-million bottom line punch Members of Idaho's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved trimming about $47 million in state spending for fiscal year 2011, a decision that translates into an overall cut of $191 million when federal matching dollars are factored into the mix.
Group fights BLM's effort to cancel Idaho grazing leases Western Watersheds Project Executive Director Jon Marvel said the Bureau of Land Management's proposal to cancel three grazing leases held by the group in Idaho is discriminatory and disputed the BLM's reasons for canceling the leases, including for not grazing cattle on the land, as Marvel contends the BLM is not trying to cancel a lease held by a rancher who is also not grazing cattle on his allotment.
Idaho tax refunds drain account early Idaho taxpayers entitled to tax refunds filed early and drained the account, prompting Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to schedule an emergency meeting with the State Board of Examiners to transfer $30 million from the state general fund to replenish the account.
Idaho House sends hunter-privacy bill to Senate Legislation that would keep the names of Idaho hunters private was approved by the state House and sent to the Senate for action.
Idaho House OKs boat-fee increase to fight invasive species The Idaho House approved a bill that increased fees for non-motorized Idaho boats from $5 to $7, and for out-of-state boaters from $20 to $22, to help fund efforts to fight invasive species in the state's waterways; the measure now moves to the Senate.
Idaho JFAC raises timber-harvest levels on state lands The Idaho Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved an increase in timber harvests on state lands by 35 million board feet, a move that Department of Lands Director George Bacon said earlier this year would create 525 new jobs and generate $15 million in additional annual revenue.
Idaho House nixes health insurance bill A 39-31 vote in the Idaho House scuttled a bill that would have required insurance companies to cover patients at specialty hospitals.
Idaho lawmakers pass $1.58 billion budget Idaho lawmakers said the budget passed by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee is the first one in history to cut funding for public education, although legislators tried to make the reduction in funding more palatable by giving districts more latitude on how the funds are spent; the full House and Senate must now vote on the budget.
Idaho Senate votes to join national effort to tax Internet sales The Idaho Senate voted unanimously to join the 23 other states involved with the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, designed to make it easier for states to tax online sales.
Idaho AG's opinion doesn't sway critics of tribal law bill Legislation that would allow Coeur d'Alene Tribe officers to cite non-tribal members violating Idaho law on reservations passed the constitutional review of the state attorney general, but critics of the bill denied that the opinion derailed their constitutional concerns.
Idaho panel may combine 7 urban renewal bills into 1 The Idaho House Urban Renewal Subcommittee decided Monday to appoint a task force to study whether the seven bills dealing with urban renewal might be consolidated into one piece of legislation.
Idaho Senate approves animal care, cockfighting bills Idaho Sen. Tim Corder told state lawmakers that the time to create animal care standards was before a predicted influx of poultry farms into the state, and on Monday, the state Senate approved a bill to create an advisory board for animal care and another that would make cockfighting a felony.
Idaho Parks Board supports plan that keeps all 30 parks open The Idaho Parks Board voted 5-0 to support a budget plan that keeps all 30 parks under its authority open for another year, but said the plan will curtail services in those parks and said that the budget, which still needs to be approved by the Legislature, is merely a Band-Aid and provides no long-term solution for funding.
Idaho House OKs constitutional amendment bill on utility debt On Thursday, the Idaho House approved a third measure amending the state's constitution - this one allowing municipal power companies to assume long-term debt to buy power without voter approval; the other two passed by the House this week covered long-term debt for hospitals and airports.
Idaho federal lawmakers say health care summit 'a start' Most members of Idaho's congressional delegation are hopeful that today's health care summit will result in health care proposals that can find bipartisan support, with the exception of Sen. Jim Risch, who said he believed President Obama will use the session to show Republicans aren't cooperating.
Idaho House panel nixes county's bid to end vehicle testing Canyon County lawmakers lost their bid to end vehicle emissions testing in their Idaho county when the House Environment Committee rejected legislation that would have halted the testing in the Idaho county where air pollution is approaching federal non-attainment levels.
Idaho Senate sends rural fire rule change to House The Idaho Senate approved legislation that would exempt single-family homes built on five-acre parcels outside cities from International Fire Code water supply and access rules, unless the county specifically adopts those rules; the measure now moves to the House.
Idaho House panel moves invasive sticker fee increase ahead Despite complaints from kayakers and rafters, the Idaho House Resources Committee voted Tuesday to send to the full House a bill that would raise the fee for invasive-species stickers on non-motorized water craft from $5 to $7 annually, and the fee for out-of-state boats from $20 to $22, annually.
Mediation provision kills foreclosure bill in Idaho House Legislation proposed by Idaho state Rep. Wendy Jaquet would have provided more assistance to Idahoans facing foreclosure, but the mandate for a 60-day period during which homeowners could mediate with lenders at the lenders' expense proved to be the death of the bill in the House Business Committee.
Idaho House panel advances hunter, angler privacy bill The Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee voted 13-3 on Tuesday to keep information provided by hunters and anglers on their license applications private.
Idaho constitutional amendments address institutional debt The Idaho Legislature is considering three constitutional amendments that may be put to a public vote that address the ability of airports, hospitals and municipal power companies to assume debt.
Idaho House approves early high-school graduation plan The Idaho House voted 61-7 Monday to approve the Master Advancement Pilot Project, which will allow 21 of 115 school districts and three charter schools to participate in a six-year project allowing high school seniors to graduate early, a measure proposed to help cut education costs; the bill now moves to the Senate.
Some Idaho bills beat back Beltway's influence in Gem State Idaho lawmakers will take up a smattering of measure that attempt to limit the reach and control of the federal government in the state, including one that would allow the state to sue the federal government should health care reform pass, and bills that pit the state against local governments, such as the dairy industry's fight to get the state to step in and curtail counties' right to regulate confined animal feeding operations.
Idaho panel makes more cuts, balances state's budget Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter applauded the Joint Finance-Appropriations committee's work to balance the 2010 budget that included a 7.1% across-the-board reduction in general fund appropriations.
Idaho Senate panel tweaks fire safety rules for rural homes The Idaho Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation on Thursday that exempts rural single-family homes built on five-acre parcels from International Fire Code water supply and access rules, unless a county specifically adopts the code; the measure now moves to the full Senate for a vote.
One of 3 immigration-related bills off the table in Idaho The Idaho House State Affairs Committee voted Thursday to kill a bill proposed by Reps. Raul Labrador and Phil Hart that would have suspended for a year the business license of any company found to have knowingly hired illegal workers.
Air Force, Mountain Home base host Idaho meeting on F-35 mission Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho is one of the bases under consideration by the Air Force for its new F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and on Thursday, residents of the Magic Valley turned out to share their views on the proposal with Air Force officials.
New gun policy takes effect in national parks Monday On Monday, visitors to the 392 national parks may be able to carry concealed and loaded guns into those parks, depending upon the laws of the state in which the parks are located.
Gov. Butch Otter says he lost control of his message to agencies Gov. Butch Otter says that he had no intention of removing general-fund financial support from several commissions, councils and Idaho Public Television, but he proposed that in his budget to motivate them to shoulder their share of state budget cuts.
Idaho lawmakers take early release of inmates off the table While states like Oregon and California have proposed releasing inmates early to save money, Idaho's legislative leaders said Wednesday that that will not be an option in their cash-strapped state.
Idaho governor cuts $60K National Governors Ass'n membership fee Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said his decision to withdraw from the National Governors Association was purely a financial one, as it will save his office the $60,000 annual membership fee, as well as about $10,000 in travel costs.
Gov. Butch Otter's budget hit balky agencies All except Idaho Public Television have since gotten the message clearly, says the state budget chief Wayne Hammon.
Idaho Fish & Game proposes tougher hand on wolf issues In a Feb. 10 memo, Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen suggested that the state take a tougher line with wolves that prey on livestock and proposed extending hunting seasons and increasing quotas, as well as allowing federal wildlife agents to kill all wolves involved in predations in high-incident areas.
Otter backs expansion of income tax credit Proposed legislation would create incentives to donate to agencies facing funding cuts such as the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Idaho Public Television.
Idaho federal lawmakers urge USFS to rethink senior fees decision In a letter to the U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick, urged the agency to reconsider its decision to decrease discounts for seniors and disabled citizens on U.S. Forest Service lands.
Otter wields budget knife to spur IPTV savings Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed eliminating $1.7 million in taxpayer funding for Idaho Public Television because its manager offered inadequate budget-cutting measures last year, says budget chief Wayne Hammon.
Idaho Land Board takes up cabin sites' future today The Idaho Land Board will discuss trading or selling 521 state-owned cabin sites on the Payette and Priest lakes at a meeting today.
Idaho lawmaker wants to lift state's cap on charter schools Idaho state Sen. John Goedde released the details Monday on his bill that would revise the state's limit of six new charter schools a year.
Groups ask Idaho legislators to dump 3 illegal immigration bills At a press conference on Monday, the Catholic Charities of Idaho and the Idaho Community Action Network were among the groups protesting three bills currently under debate in the state Legislature that target illegal workers and the companies that hire them.
Idaho bill would allow trappers, hunters to snag pelts from roadkill The Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee voted Monday to schedule a full hearing on Rep. Dick Harwood's bill that would allow licensed hunters and trappers to pick up roadkill and sell those pelts.
Idaho mulls selling J.R. Simplot's home In 2005, J.R. Simplot and his wife, Esther, donated their home in Boise in the hope that it would become the governor's mansion, but the Idaho home sits on a 40-acre parcel of Kentucky bluegrass, three of the five wells needed to irrigate the lawn are now dry, and it cost the state $72,000 last year to keep the lawn green.
Idaho bills target a slate of outdoor recreation activities The Idaho Legislature has a slate of bills dealing with outdoor activities, including one that would make information on hunting and fishing applications private; another would create a specialty license plate that would fund work on mountain bike trails.
Idaho Land Board OKs $22M for public schools The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners voted 3-2 to divert $22 million from a state land endowment reserve fund to public schools to help offset planned budget cuts in the next fiscal year, about half the amount state schools chief Tom Luna had requested.
Idaho Land Board will take up Luna's school funding plan today Tom Luna, the Idaho public schools chief, wants to pull $53 million out of the state lands endowment fund to address a projected $135 million budget gap in education funding, and the State Land Board will discuss that proposal at a meeting today.
Idaho House panel OKs tribe's law-enforcement legislation The Idaho House Judiciary Committee approved legislation Tuesday that allows law enforcement officers on the Coeur d'Alene reservation to arrest non-tribal members that violate state law on the reservation.
Party-line vote sends health-care reform bill through Idaho House Legislation designed to keep Idahoans from having to comply with any health-care reforms passed by Congress passed the Idaho House on Tuesday on a 52-18 party-line vote.
Idaho bill proposes penalties for hiring illegal workers The Idaho House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on legislation proposed by Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden, that calls for the suspension of licenses held by businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers.
Idaho group sues to force USFWS decision on pygmy rabbits Western Watersheds Project filed a lawsuit last week against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force the agency to make a decision on protecting a rare pygmy rabbit in eight Western states.
Idaho House sends tax exemption for shelters to the Senate Legislation that would temporarily waive sales taxes for homeless shelters in Idaho was unanimously approved by the Idaho House on Monday and now awaits action in the state Senate.
Idaho lawmakers OK new leasing rules for state lands On Wednesday, the Idaho House and Senate Resource committees approved rules developed by the Idaho Land Board last year that create new categories of leases for state lands, set out procedures for contested leases, and allow multiple leases on the same acres as long as they do not conflict; the rules take effect immediately.
Idaho parks board backs away from closure decisions The Idaho Parks and Recreation Board said Wednesday that it would reverse its decision to close some state parks to deal with proposed budget cuts; the board told said work was under way to find ways to keep all 30 state parks open.
Idaho water agency reports to Legislature on budget cuts Gary Spackman, interim director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources, told members of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee how his agency will deal with the recommended budget cuts and the loss of 27 full-time and 21 temporary workers over the past two years.
Debate over Northern Rockies wolves all about the numbers The lawsuits over wolf management in the Northern Rockies focus primarily on the number of wolves needed for a sustainable population; Idaho and Montana say their population goals will do that, but wolf advocates disagree and dispute the science on which the numbers are based.
Idaho House panel advances tax break for homeless shelters On Wednesday, the Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee sent a bill that would provide a two-year sales-tax exemption to nonprofit homeless shelters in the state to the full House for action, with a recommendation that the legislation pass.
Idaho Senate, House will debate state grazing leases today The resource committees of the Idaho House and Senate will debate proposed new rules that would allow sporting and environmental groups to bid for grazing leases on state lands.
Idaho state lands agency wants to raise timber harvest levels George Bacon, the director of Idaho's Department of Lands, told members of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee that he is recommending increasing timber harvests on state lands from 212 million board feet to 247 million board feet annually, a 16.5 percent increase.
Idaho lawmakers have plethora of parks plans to ponder Idaho Parks will present a new business plan to lawmakers today that include a wide range of proposals to make parks more self-sufficient.
Idaho cuts water quality contract with USGS Idaho's budget crisis has poured over into its water-quality monitoring contracts with the U.S. Geological Survey, forcing the state to end those contracts.
Idaho lawmaker tries again on bill to prevent hiring of illegal workers Idaho state Sen. Mike Jorgenson again presented legislation that would penalize companies that knowingly hire illegal workers; his legislation is one of three to address the issue this session.
Idaho senators submit bill for water work in wilderness areas Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch submitted a bill Thursday to give the U.S. Forest Service authority to sanction work by private landowners on water facilities in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness; a similar bill passed in the U.S. House this week.
Idaho schools chief asks lawmakers for $53M from reserve fund In order to fend off a 10 percent cut to public schools in 2011, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna proposed pulling $53 million from the $90 million Public Schools Earnings Reserve Fund administered by the Idaho Land Board.
Idaho Democrats roll out six bills to create jobs The "Idaho Jobs and Opportunity Blueprint," or I-JOBS, unveiled by state Democratic lawmakers, contains provisions to cut regulations for renewable energy projects, provide tax credits to employers that hire new workers and pay them more than $35,000 a year.
Idaho's newest college unlikely to get additional funding The College of Western Idaho has been in existence for just three semesters, but low-cost tuition and a flood of laid-off workers needing new careers has quadrupled enrollment at the school in Nampa; lawmakers said Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's recommendation for an additional $1 million for the overcrowded school won't be forthcoming because the state simply doesn't have the money.
Governor Otter gets earful on rural woes Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter held his 36th Capital for a Day in Shoshone on Wednesday, and rural Idahoans discussed the economy, proposed cuts to Idaho Public Television and state parks, as well as health care reform with the governor and his staff.
IPTV manager sounds warning about a rural blackout General manager Peter Morrill says rural Idahoans will lose their access and three channels will be cut if the agency's funding is eliminated.
Angry Idaho lawmaker wants to strip Parks Board's power Idaho state Sen. Gary Schroeder said it doesn't make sense to end state funding for Dworshak State Park in his northcentral Idaho district, while paying 11 park planners at Parks and Recreation Board headquarters near Boise, and submitted legislation that would strip the Parks Board of any authority, making it an advisory only board.
Idaho lawmakers hope to ease public TV cuts Members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee expressed doubts about Gov. Butch Otter's proposal to phase out state funding for Idaho Public Television over the next four years.
Idaho Senate panel pushes livestock-waste bill along Legislation designed to regulate how third-parties handle livestock waste was approved Tuesday by the Idaho Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee.
Idaho GOP congressional candidates stake out camps The Idaho Republican Party's distinct establishment and libertarian-conservative wings each have a candidate in the race for the state's 1st District, with state Rep. Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward vying for the GOP's nomination.
Idaho legislators may halt expansion of grocery-tax credit Despite Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's vow to keep the planned expansion of Idaho's grocery tax credit on track, lawmakers concede delaying the expansion may have to be considered, given the state's predicted budget gap.
Idaho audit recommends replacing older prisons An audit performed by the Idaho Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluations found that it would be more cost effective to replace the Pocatello Women's Correction Center and some units of the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino and the Idaho Maximum Security Institution and Idaho State Correctional Institution in Boise, because operating costs of those units are so high.
Partisan politics sinks Idaho water bill Despite the noncontroversial nature of a federal piece of legislation designed to allow 20 private property owners to retain water rights within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Idaho, partisan politics tanked the first version of the bill co-sponsored by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Democrat Rep. Walt Minnick, so now a new identical bill carrying Democrat U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick's name first is before the U.S. House.
Idaho congressman vows no earmarks in 2010 Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick said he will not submit any bills seeking federal funding for projects in 2010; the Democratic congressman made a similar promise last year.
Pocatello's Idaho Public TV Fears Closure The future of Idaho Public Television remains up in the air, after a proposal by Governor Otter to eliminate their annual $1.6 million in state funding over the next four years.
Idaho groups offer differing opinions on Endangered Species Act Agencies working in Idaho to meet requirements of the Endangered Species Act said they've met a lot of goals in the state, but conservation groups often have different opinions about the goals and processes needed to meet them. Another in a series.
Idaho groups, ranchers await USFWS decision on sage grouse A federal court ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study sage grouse populations in 11 Western states and issue a decision by next month on whether the species deserves federal protection. Another in a series on the Endangered Species Act.
Thousands Showing Support For Idaho Public Television As the future of Idaho Public Television remains uncertain, one group of Idahoans is now working to ensure the network's signal is not shut off. A statewide campaign known as Save Idaho Public Television has organized in support of the state network.
Endangered Species Act continues to evolve The Twin Falls Times-News reviews the evolution of the federal Endangered Species Act and its impact on Idaho and the species that inhabit the Gem State. Part of a series.
Grazing a ground-zero issue in endangered species debate in Idaho Idaho-based Western Watersheds Project has been a vigorous opponent of public-lands grazing and the effect it has on native species, and the rancor between the Hailey-based group and Idaho ranchers is evident.
Idaho ranchers disillusioned after slickspot peppergrass is listed Ranchers who worked with Idaho officials to protect areas where slickspot peppergrass grows said they were disappointed when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to list the species for federal protection. Another article in a series about the Endangered Species Act.
Defunded IdahoPTV Would Cut Legislature Live as Well In addition to rural transmitters and translators, Idaho Public Television would likely have to stop its Legislature Live service that beams video of committee and House and Senate proceedings throughout the Capitol building and over the Web.
Empty-pocket states cutting $23 million from pubcast support As states cut back their budgets, governors are often targeting public broadcasting along with other educational and arts programs. Some stations, including Idaho Public Television, could face a total loss of state funds.
Budget cuts can be costly Idaho risks losing federal funds by trimming certain programs such as Idaho Public Television, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Health and Welfare.
Idaho governor wants to use $1M in stimulus funds for aquifer plan Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed diverting $1 million in federal stimulus funds to the state's Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan.
Boise, Denver mayors meet with President Obama Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper are among the more than 200 mayors at the winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., and on Thursday those mayors attended a reception at the White House where they met with President Obama.
GOP candidate to kick off Idaho congressional campaign next week Idaho state Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle will get a contender for the Republican Party's nomination for Idaho's 1st Congressional District seat when Vaughn Ward formally joins the race next week.
Idaho's budget projections slip deeper into red territory After December's revenue collections came in about $12 million lower than the most recent revenue projections, the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee of the Idaho Legislature recommended a budget based on a revenue forecast that was $70 million lower than the budget recommended by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.
KUID may close without state funds The Idaho Public Television station, KUID, may be forced to close if cuts proposed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter are approved. The KUID studio is used by University of Idaho students to produce programs and learn about broadcasting.
Future of IPTV is a big ? Governor Butch Otter has proposed cutting funding to IPTV as part of his plan to balance the state budget. IPTV General Manager Peter Morrill said if state funding is cut, so will the availability of their broadcasts.
Idaho bill targets handling of livestock waste by third parties Idaho already has regulations on handling livestock waste by confined animal feeding operations, but a bill reviewed by the House Livestock Rules Subcommittee on Wednesday would regulate livestock waste stockpiled on third parties' property.
Freudenthal, federal officials ride snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal took Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes and Tom Strickland, the assistant Interior secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, on a snowmobile tour of Yellowstone National Park and urged those federal officials to consider raising the current daily limit of 318 snowmobiles in the park.
Idaho submits application for "Race to Top" education funds Idaho submitted its application for a $120-million slice of the federal Race to the Top education program.
Bill to raise boat fees to fight mussels sputters in Idaho House panel The Idaho House State Affairs Committee was unable to pass legislation out of committee that would have raised the sticker fees on rafts and kayaks and on out-of-state boaters, outfitters and guide to help generate revenue for programs designed to keep invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels out of Idaho waters.
Legislator challenges Idaho governor on parks Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposal to shut down the state's Parks Department and move management of parks to other state agencies is being challenged by state Sen. Brent Hill, whose district contains Harriman State Park.
Monday was a busy day in Idaho's capital city Boise hosted four events on Martin Luther King Day, which brought a diverse crowd to the stops of the Idaho Capitol: those gathering to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., a Tea Party rally protesting government spending; a rally in support of charter schools; and a demonstration by social justice groups.
Idaho legislators form their own 'Tea Party' Members of the Idaho House have formed their own ad-hoc group to promote goals similar to that of the national "Tea Party": preventing health reform and promoting gun rights.
Idaho Democratic legislators vote to close caucuses Democratic lawmakers said they decided to close caucuses to put them on equal footing with Idaho Republican lawmakers, who have always held closed meetings.
IPTV On the Chopping Block If you live outside of southwest Idaho's Treasure Valley, you may soon lose the ability to watch Outdoor Idaho or Frontline or Idaho Reports.
Hundreds attend rally in Boise to support Idaho charter schools More than 500 people gathered at the Idaho Capitol on Monday to show their support for charter schools and to press lawmakers to remove the state's cap on new charter schools that allows just six such schools to be established in one year.
Idaho's budget crisis raises questions about public television's future Even if the state pulls its funding and KUID's signal goes dark, University of Idaho officials say the 45-year-old television station has to be maintained for teaching purposes.
Debate confronts Idaho Public Television's value Fewer channels and local shows and reduced rural service could happen this spring if the legislature accepts the governor's proposal to phase out state funding for the public television broadcaster.
Idaho lawmakers face tough choices The opening week of Idaho's 2010 legislative session laid out the fiscal challenges lawmakers will face this year, as well as their political differences regarding the proper way to tackle those challenges. In addition to further cuts to K-12 schools, the governor proposes to phase out state support for Idaho Public Television and several commissions.
Idaho's congressional delegation presses feds to purchase potatoes Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick, have sent a letter to the federal government asking that the state's surplus of potatoes be purchased for federal food subsidy programs.
Idaho education chief responds to governor's budget proposal Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna would have $130 million less to run the state's public school system under Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's budget proposal, and Luna is working on his proposal to present to lawmakers on Jan. 28.
Moscow TV station could be victim of budget cuts KUID among stations that may close within the year if governor's budget is approved.
2 lawmakers defend public TV aid Gov. Butch Otter's proposed four-year phaseout of general fund appropriations to Idaho Public Television has gotten plenty of attention.
2010 State of the State address: 'We must live within our means,' Gov. Otter says Idaho's financial condition set the tone for Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's State of the State speech on Monday, where he proposed a no-growth budget for fiscal year 2011, and a four-year phase out of state support for Idaho Public Television, the Digital Learning Academy and five other agencies, including Human Rights Commission, Hispanic Commission, and Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Blue Cross of Idaho donates $300K to doctor drive In his State of the State speech on Monday, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter announced that Blue Cross of Idaho was donating $300,000 to help pay doctors to do their internships in the state.
Idaho governor pushes for expansion of grocery tax credit During his State of the State speech on Monday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter asked lawmakers to again expand the grocery tax credit which gives low-income residents of the state a rebate to offset the sales taxes they pay on groceries.
States Grapple with Tight Budgets, Growing Deficits As legislators return to work after the holidays, a troubling picture is emerging in almost every state in the nation. Budget woes and big deficits will mean tough decisions for lawmakers. Includes a report from Idaho.
Idaho legislator wants to limit sessions to 90 calendar days Idaho is one 11 states that do not limit the length of their legislative sessions, and Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, is submitting legislation to limit sessions in the Gem State to 90 calendar days.
Idaho Budget Cuts Include Public Television and Parks In Idaho Gov. Otter's State of the State speech, he proposes to phase out five commissions as well as Idaho Public Television.
Idaho May Opt Out of Public Television Funding Idaho Governor Butch Otter had a lot of sobering budget news for the state Monday during his statewide address; eliminating Idaho Public Television funding is only one piece.
Otter outlines Idaho budget full of cuts Gov. Butch Otter laid out a grim budget proposal for Idaho on Monday, calling for cutting public education both this year and next, slashing 400 state jobs, phasing out state funding for Idaho Public TV over the next four years and more.
Idaho Legislature convenes today The 2010 Idaho legislative session kicks off today at noon, just an hour before Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is scheduled to give his "State of the State" speech.
Otter: Cut education, public TV, research center Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter aims to balance Idaho's budget by cutting another $40 million from this year's spending by trimming public education and delaying cash for a livestock research center near Twin Falls that was due to get $10 million.
Congress extends Cobell settlement deadline to Feb. 28 The deadline for Congress to approve the $3.4 billion settlement of the long-running lawsuit over the federal government's management of Indian trust accounts and assets was extended from Dec. 31 to Feb. 28.
Idaho lawmakers poised to take knives to state's expenses Last year, federal stimulus funds propped up Idaho's budget, but that support can't be relied upon again; this year state lawmakers and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter are contemplating furloughs, layoffs, reductions in services and, in some cases, shuttering some state functions.
Idaho governor warns schools that budget cuts are coming Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter warned Thursday that he will announce new funding cuts for the year during his "State of the State" speech scheduled for Monday, and that while he'll try to protect public education funds, there will be reductions.
Idaho's legislative leaders press Otter for more budget cuts Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes and House Speaker Lawerence Denney said budget cuts made thus far by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter do not adequately address the state's widening budget gap, and urged that more cuts be made.
Former Idaho lawmaker launches independent gubernatorial run Jana Kemp, a former Republican Idaho legislator, launched her independent campaign for governor on Tuesday.
Idaho governor's stance on health care draws AARP's ire After Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter attacked federal efforts on health care reform and swore to challenge the constitutionality of those efforts, the director of Idaho's AARP accused the Republican governor of putting health insurance and pharmaceutical companies' profits ahead of the needs of Idaho's businesses, families and senior citizens.
Idaho lawmakers say budget not the only agenda item As the Idaho Legislature gears up for its 2010 session Monday, lawmakers said it's unlikely that any measures that come with a cost will get a hearing, but they do have a slate of bills ready including new rules on bicycle safety, tax cuts and one that will require a photo identification card to vote.
Business groups press Idaho governor for help Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said that the state's financial condition precludes tax incentives sought to create business opportunities, but business investors said a lack of financing is making it impossible for small and medium-sized businesses to get money for start-up or expansion purposes.
Idaho lawmakers question NIC's decision to fire job training director North Idaho College administrators said the decision to terminate Dr. Robert Ketchum's employment as the executive director of the Workforce Training Center was an internal restructuring decision, but lawmakers and local business leaders questioned the decision, given Ketchum's two decades at the helm of the center.
Illegal immigration one issue before Idaho Legislature When Idaho's lawmakers return to Boise for the 2010 legislative session Monday, the issue of curbing illegal immigration will be on their agenda.
Idaho university: Researcher cleared of misconduct in sheep study Marie Bulgin, a University of Idaho sheep researcher at the Caine Veterinary Teaching and Research Center in Caldwell, can return to her duties after an internal investigation into statements Bulgin made in 2007 to a federal court and in 2009 to Idaho legislators that she knew of no proof that domestic sheep could transmit pneumonia to wild bighorns found no scientific misconduct.
Mining reform picks up steam in Congress There are several measures under debate in Congress that would change the 1872 mining law, including a measure from New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman that would adjust royalties and would use the money to reclaim abandoned mine lands; in the House, Utah Rep. Rob Bishop and Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn have introduced a Good Samaritan bill that would allow groups and companies to clean up abandoned mines while avoiding liability for former environmental damage.
Wolf debate in Montana evolves When wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park was first debated, security measures at meetings were strict and some attendees parked far away so they could easily escape, but more than a decade later, the debate has become much more civil as wolf numbers meet population goals.
Idaho tribes ask governor to appoint tribal affairs czar Leaders from the Coeur d'Alene, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone Paiute Tribes met last week with Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, and asked him to create a cabinet-level post to deal with tribal issues.
Senate panel hears Congress might not get to Cobell settlement North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan told members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that Congress may not be able to meet the mandated end-of-year deadline on approval of the settlement of the class-action lawsuit on management of Indian trust lands.
Idaho state, federal lawmakers spar on health care bill Rep. John Rusche, the Democratic leader of the Idaho House and former senior vice president and chief medical officer at Regence Blue Shield, said U.S. Sen. Jim Risch's claim that health care legislation under debate would spur a "massive" tax increase is false and that the plan would actually save Idahoans $13 million a year; Risch said Rusche's estimate is based on an incorrect assumption.
Idaho schools superintendent explains 'Race to Top' process Tom Luna, the Idaho superintendent of public instruction, traveled to Twin Falls on Thursday to explain the state's application for federal Race to the Top funds to school officials there, and after Luna's presentation, the Twin Falls School District Board of Trustees voted to support the state's application.
Coalition rallies to keep Idaho state park open After the Thousand Springs State Park was identified as one that Idaho was considering closing to save money, a coalition of federal, state and local officials, state lawmakers and business leaders met to discuss how to keep the park open as it brings millions of dollars annually into the Magic Valley economy.
Idaho Democrat returns home to launch gubernatorial campaign Keith Allred returned to Twin Falls, his Idaho hometown, to officially launch his bid for the Democratic Party's nomination for governor.
Idaho Parks Department faces more cuts, mulls fee increases During a speech Wednesday at the Idaho Environmental Forum, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Merrill said the governor has urged her to find a way to wean the agency off state money, and she laid out current proposals that include the possible closure of two state parks; Merrill recently signed documents to turn the Dworshak State Park over to Clearwater County.
Idahoans enter debate on Montana wilderness bill Under Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, 4,465 acres on Mount Jefferson in the Centennial Mountains would be off-limits to snowmobilers coming from Island Park in Idaho, 28 miles across the border from West Yellowstone, a provision that prompted Idaho's Fremont County Commissioner Ronald Hurt to sign up to testify against the bill at a Senate subcommittee hearing on Thursday.
Palin's book-signings in Idaho draws hundreds Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin returned to Idaho, the state where she was born, for a couple of book signings on Thursday, with folks in Coeur d'Alene standing in line overnight Wednesday night to be sure to meet Palin on Thursday morning; another signing was planned in Sandpoint Thursday night.
B.C. miner wins powerful champion in Idaho to open cobalt mine British Columbia-based Formation Metals convinced Idaho's political heavyweight, Cecil Andrus, to join its board of directors and to help the small firm navigate its way through the environmental assessment process to win a permit to mine cobalt in Idaho.
Fate of Idaho soil commission in lawmakers' hands At a meeting today in Boise, members of an interim committee of the Idaho Legislature will discuss a plan to replace the existing Idaho State Soil Commission with a Division of Resource Conservation in the State Department of Agriculture.
Idaho Democrat lays groundwork for gubernatorial run Keith Allred of Eagle is reportedly laying the groundwork for a run for governor of Idaho.
AARP, Idaho Power at odds over pricing plan AARP Idaho said Idaho Power's proposal to allow the utility to recover its fixed costs no matter how much it makes from selling power will raise electric bills for those who use the least energy, a position the utility disputes.
Idaho legislator demands GOP House hopeful withdraw from race Idaho state Sen. Mike Jorgenson of Hayden said state Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle should withdraw from the 1st Congressional District primary race because Labrador is an immigration lawyer who has defended illegal immigrants, which puts him on the wrong side of the immigration issue in Idaho.
Hundreds share ideas on streamlining Idaho government After Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter asked for ideas from the public on how to streamline government and save money, about 217 people responded online, suggesting everything from legalizing and imposing a tax on marijuana to putting schools on a year-round schedule. |
Idaho News MediaNewspapers and News sitesIdaho Statesman (Boise)RuralNorthwest.com (Bonners Ferry) South Idaho Press (Burley) Challis Messenger Coeur d'Alene Press Sho-Ban News (Fort Hall) Wood River Journal (Hailey) Idaho Falls Post Register Island Park News Idaho Mountain Express (Ketchum) Latah Eagle (Latah County) Lewiston Morning Tribune Sun Valley Online Montpelier News-Examiner Moscow-Pullman Daily News Mountain Home News Idaho Press Tribune (Nampa) Idaho State Journal (Pocatello) The Standard Journal (Rexburg) Spokesman-Review (Spokane and North Idaho) St. Maries Gazette Record Twin Falls Times-News Idaho Unidos Boise Weekly Idaho Business Review IdahoReporter.com NewWest.net (Boise) Broadcast MediaIdaho Public Television (PBS)KBOI TV-2 (CBS - Boise) KIVI TV-6 (ABC - Boise) KTVB TV-7 (NBC - Boise) KTRV TV-12 (Fox - Boise) KIDK TV-3 (CBS - Idaho Falls) KIFI TV-8 (ABC - Idaho Falls) KLEW TV-3 (CBS - Lewiston) KPVI TV-6 (NBC - Pocatello) Northwest Public Radio Boise State Radio BlogsEye on Boise (Betsy Russell of the Idaho Spokesman-Review)Idaho Politics (An inside look at Idaho politics and government from Statesman reporters) Commentary: Kevin Richert (Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman) Ridenbaugh Press/Northwest (Randy Stapilus; covers politics in ID, OR, and WA) Capitol Confidential (Times-News coverage of politics wtih Ben Botkin) |
