Category Archives: Featured Headline
Canyon County leads the state in food stamp use per capita
Statewide, about one in every seven Idahoans is on federal food stamps, but in some counties, the rate is significantly higher. According to data recorded by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the U.S. Census Bureau,CanyonCountyis leading the … Continue reading
Lake may make a run at cigarette tax hike in an election year
Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, and a coalition headed up by the American Cancer Society (ACS) may team up next year to bring a bill to increase the state’s cigarette tax. If the coalition behind Lake pushes the bill, the group … Continue reading
Land Board has ongoing right to build residential units at Tamarack
Even though the Tamarack Resort in Valley County is on life support, the Idaho Land Board has an ongoing right to build residential structures on a number of acres near the Osprey Golf Course. The state could, if it wanted, … Continue reading
As state funding for colleges and universities decreases, their foundations hold millions
In the past few years, budgets for universities and community colleges have dropped by more than $35 million, cuts that had school presidents before lawmakers complaining that funding levels meant fewer programs for students. Even as the presidents asked lawmakers … Continue reading
Employee bonuses, retirement spiking addressed by governor
At a time when the state is struggling with budget challenges and funding decisions for state agencies, bonuses paid to some state employees and retirement spiking have drawn the ire of many and praise from few. Creating the most interest … Continue reading
Governor explains his support of health insurance exchanges
Gov. Butch Otter is opposed to federal health care legislation commonly called Obamacare, but he supports health insurance exchanges. That puts him at odds with some state legislators in his own party, plus a number of fellow GOP governors including … Continue reading
Gov. Otter remains a believer in state’s trio of education reforms
Without a doubt the most debated and controversial issue considered by this year’s Legislature was the education reform package crafted by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna. The reform proposals drew hours of testimony and debate, both in committee hearings … Continue reading
State delaying hospitals’ Medicaid payments into next week
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) won’t be sending any checks in the mail to Idaho hospitals for the next few days to reimburse medical services, as the agency seeks to balance its budget amid increased demand. Hospitals … Continue reading
Senate transportation chairman says new revenue for roads might not come until 2013
Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d’Alene, was the new chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee this year. He said his committee didn’t see many controversial issues on highways and road funding, and the next step for improving Idaho’s roads may not … Continue reading