Category Archives: Headlines
National Guard could set up school for dropouts
The Idaho Senate will vote on setting up a program backed by the National Guard to help high school dropouts earn a degree. The “Youth ChalleNGe” program would open a school in Pierce in north central Idaho that would draw … Continue reading
Democrats eye hike of cigarette tax in informal hearing
The Republican super-majority wouldn’t let them do it through official channels, so House Democrats held their own informational meeting on a proposal to hike the state’s cigarette tax. The idea of the tax hike was tossed around by Rep. Dennis … Continue reading
Senate OKs taxpayers paying for GOP challenge to open primaries
The Idaho Senate approved giving the Idaho Republican Party $100,000 for lawyers’ fees stemming from a lawsuit that declared the state’s open primary elections unconstitutional. The money comes from the state general fund as part of the secretary of state’s … Continue reading
Dems’ 1,000 job loss claim based on math formula, not hard data
It’s the claim that just kept coming: House Bill 260 will cause the loss of at least 1,000 private sector jobs in Idaho if passed. The claim made its way into debate in House and Senate committee and floor debate, … Continue reading
House sends drivers’ training subsidy bill back to committee
The bill looking to end subsidies for public school drivers’ training programs hit a snag Monday on the House floor. After hearing debate for around 45 minutes, education committee chairman Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, motioned to send the bill … Continue reading
House clears finalized urban renewal reform bill
Then there was one. Lawmakers in the Idaho Capitol considered at least eight measures dealing with urban renewal agencies this year, but only one has passed both chambers and will be sent to Gov. Butch Otter for his consideration. A … Continue reading
McGee wants to use GARVEE bonds for bridges
Idaho Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, wants state lawmakers and road builders to consider using untapped bonding authority to fix aging bridges across the state. McGee introduced the idea in a Senate committee Monday, though lawmakers won’t take up the issue … Continue reading
Bayer wants to remove charter school creation cap to cut waiting list
Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, introduced a bill Monday that would remove the cap Idaho puts on the creation of new charter schools in the state. Bayer told members of the House Education Committee that his measure would provide a “growing … Continue reading