Category Archives: Live Blog
Otter encourages Oregon, Washington businesses to move east
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter slammed tax increase ideas in Oregon and Washington in a news release Monday, and encouraged businesses in those states to relocate to Idaho. “We now are reaching out to hundreds of Oregon businesses, and will do … Continue reading
Dean Cameron explains setting the schools budget in 15 minutes (video)
Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, explained in detail the process of setting the next Idaho public schools budget as part of his presentation to the Senate Education Committee Wednesday afternoon. Cameron is one of the leaders of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, … Continue reading
Senate approves changing archaic words in state law
The Idaho Senate voted 33-0 Tuesday to change some archaic and sometimes offensive words currently in state law to newer, more precise words. Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, said changing the words won’t affect state law, but would reflect well on … Continue reading
Senate approves looking into tax exemptions
The Idaho Senate Wednesday approved a plan that would require lawmakers to examine every state sales tax exemption once every five years. The proposal from Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, would set up an annual legislative review of exemptions. The Senate … Continue reading
Fish and Game survey shows declining Lolo elk population
New aerial surveys by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) show that the elk population is declining in the Lolo Elk Management Zone in north central Idaho. The number of elk in the area dropped 57 percent since … Continue reading
Senate joins in condemning possible federal clean water expansion
The Idaho Senate approved a memorial critical of a proposed expansion of the federal Clean Water Act. The House approved the non-binding memorial Feb. 18. Congress is considering The Clean Water Restoration Act, sponsored by Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, … Continue reading
Health and Welfare expands to full-day Friday closures every other week
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) will close its offices every other Friday, starting next week and lasting until June 11. DHW instituted half-day closures on alternating Fridays in January as a way to reduce costs and increase … Continue reading
Labor department found $8.9 million in unemployment fraud last year
The Idaho Department of Labor said it uncovered $8.9 million in unemployment fraud and benefit overpayments in 2009, which is an 82 percent jump from the previous year. The department recovered $4.3 million of that money, according to a news … Continue reading