Idaho Reports

Week Four: Jobs, jobs, jobs - and the impact of budget cuts

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:30:00 MST

Advocates and opponents of gas drilling in Idaho have competing ideas about how Idaho can boost its economy. Also, JFAC hears testimony on the impact of the recent years of budget cuts, and our pundits react to the death of Micron CEO Steve Appleton.

Week Three: Interview with the Gov; Higher Ed Week at the Capitol

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

It doesn't look good for an Idaho-built health insurance exchange, but the governor hopes his other priorities can survive. Gov. Otter shares his thoughts on the legislative session with Greg Hahn. Plus, Idaho's university presidents talk about how to keep college affordable and effective, while our pundits take on the redistricting fight.

Week Two: Health exchanges, Redistricting, and a Camping ban

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

It didn't take long for things to heat up at the Statehouse. Host Greg Hahn addresses the debate over a state health insurance exchange with some key lobbyists, explores the Idaho economy with a Boise businessman, explains a court decision on redistricting, and discusses drilling rules, Medicaid cuts and Occupy Boise with the pundits.

Week One: Opening Moves

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

Gov. Butch Otter made his pitch, and the Democrats pointed out where they saw flaws. Now, as the 2012 session gets underway, majority Republicans will begin looking over Otter's plans for more tax breaks, new incentives for university research and business development, and more. Lawmakers Sen. Ken Roberts, Sen. Tim Corder, and Rep. Grant Burgoyne guest. Political analyst Jim Weatherby and reporters Betsy Russell, Jessie Bonner, and Bill Roberts provide context.

Idaho Schools Supt. Luna defends 'Students Come First'

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Supt. Tom Luna maps out the challenging path ahead for implementing his new school reform laws. The State Board of Education and local school boards must put the laws into effect while navigating ballot efforts and a lawsuit aimed at overturning those laws. Also: Gov. Otter sends mixed signals by signing the wolf emergency bill but vetoing the healthcare nullification bill.

Redistricting: 'The Most Pure Form of Political Blood Sport'

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Idaho currently has 35 legislative districts, clustered around the state's cities and dispersed over vast swaths of land with some of the nation's lowest population density. During the 2011 redistricting process, the lines of many districts will change. Greg Hahn and guests reminisce about past redistricting fights and look ahead to see how new district lines may shape future legislative races and the careers of incumbent lawmakers.

Web Extra: Redistricting 101: E. Idaho and Treasure Valley

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Over the last 10 years, Idaho had the 4th largest percentage of population growth in the U.S., much of it in the Treasure Valley. Boise State University professor Dr. Gary Moncrief, former Speaker Bruce Newcomb, and 2001 Redistricting Commissioner Tom Stuart discuss which districts and lawmakers could be affected by the decade's population growth during this year's redistricting process.

Web Extra: Redistricting 102: N. Idaho and the Magic Valley

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Reporter Betsy Russell (Spokesman-Review), former statehouse reporter Ken Miller, and political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby discuss which districts in north Idaho and the Magic Valley have grown and shrunk. They predict which districts and lawmakers will be affected by these population shifts during the 2011 redistricting process.

After the Session (1): Otter: "It was a good legislative session"

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

A number of Idaho papers and pundits said it was the worst legislative session in history. In his review of the 2011 session, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter begged to disagree. Also: Reporters Steve Crump (Twin Falls Times-News) and Corey Taule (Idaho Falls Post Register) provide a southern and eastern Idaho perspective on an updated "Right to Farm" law, bills affecting wind farms, and guns on campus.

Week 13: 2011 Legislature Says Sine Die

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Historic public participation and testimony before committees, wrenching Medicaid cuts, no tax increases, the GOP's new closed primary, and Supt. Tom Luna's far-reaching education reform were the issues with the most significant impact in 2011. Statehouse reporters Betsy Russell, John Miller and Kevin Richert and political analyst Jim Weatherby look back on a legislative session Senate GOP leader Bart Davis characterized as being full of struggle.

Week 13 Web Extra: What Didn't Get Done in the 2011 Session?

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Host Greg Hahn and our panel of pundits detail the issues that got voted down or refused a hearing. Tax hikes, or anything smelling like a tax hike (capturing tax from online sales, evaluating exemptions) were off the table. Also: no guns on campus, no major changes to urban renewal, no ban on texting while driving, and no inclusion of gays under anti-discrimination law.

Week 12: A "Slowdown Showdown" at the Idaho Statehouse

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

As Republicans try to wrap up the session, Democrats begin using procedural moves to slow down the pace and make a statement about GOP unwillingness to consider alternatives to budget cuts. In retaliation, GOP lawmakers vote down bills to help special needs kids and promote adoption. Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Senate President Pro Tempore Brent Hill guest.

Week 12 Web Extra: Redistricting, Medical Marijuana and Limericks

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Reporter Vickie Holbrook (Idaho Press-Tribune) discusses the growing power of Canyon County after redistricting. In lieu of an ugly tie, Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell offers several "lame limericks." Dr. Jim Weatherby comments on a hearing held about medical marijuana and the absence of a hearing on raising the cigarette tax.

Web Extra: Idaho GOP Leaders Say Recession a Wakeup Call

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Senate President Pro Tempore Brent Hill say lawmakers are as conservative as they've ever been, even with new Tea Party members in their ranks. They acknowledge that the urgency to curb government may wane as the economy improves, but the resolve will remain. And they predict the session will likely go another week.

Week 11: Interview with Gov. Otter

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:30:00 MST

Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter says K-12 education reform is necessary, he's happy with the direction it's taken so far, and disputes the charge that reform is just a cover for busting the teachers union. In this extensive interview, he also discusses Medicaid budget cuts, his jobs initiative, wolf management, and more.