Category Archives: People & Politics
Campaign spokesman says Minnick had one of his best fundraising quarters ever
Though official fundraising reports have yet to be released by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the campaign spokesman for freshman Congressman Walt Minnick, a Democrat, has gone on record saying that his candidate had one of his best fundraising quarters … Continue reading
Thayn called out by Health and Welfare workers over comments in news story
Some workers in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) are in an uproar after reading comments made by state Rep. Steve Thayn, R-Emmett, in a recent story posted at IdahoReporter.com about federal food stamps. Some DHW staffers feel … Continue reading
BP largest sponsor of legislative summit slated for September
Oil giant British Petroleum (BP), while dealing with a massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, is also sponsoring a legislative summit slated for September in Sun Valley, Idaho. The summit, officially known as the Council of State Governments-West … Continue reading
Idaho Democrats call GOP platform extremist, astounding
The head of Idaho Democratic Party says the plans discussed at the Republicans’ state convention last month are astounding and show a shift to the extreme. “The Republicans delivered the very kind of high octane partisanship that voters across this … Continue reading
Pharmaceutical fraud settlement gets Idaho $106,000
Idaho will receive a $106,000 fraud settlement as part of a multi-state legal settlement with a prescription drug company over alleged false and fraudulent claims, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced Tuesday. About half that money will repay improper claims to … Continue reading
Ethics panel begins work on Hart’s tax allegations
Seven members of the House of Representatives met Tuesday to begin the process of determining if Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden, violated House standards in his dealings with the Idaho State Tax Commission. The committee didn’t conduct much business Tuesday, but … Continue reading
Unemployment rate and size of labor force both drop
Idaho’s unemployment rate dropped below 9 percent in June from a high of 9.5 percent earlier this year. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June sat at 8.8 percent, making it the fourth straight month that the jobless rate dropped. The … Continue reading
Durst concerned with makeup of ethics panel called by Denney
Earlier this week, Idaho Speaker of the House Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, appointed seven representatives from the lower chamber to investigate the tax problems of Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden, who allegedly used his status as a lawmaker to ward off state … Continue reading
Semanko praises convention, slams Democrats
The leader of the Idaho Republican Party called the GOP’s convention last week positive and inspiring, but said editorials about the convention have been one-sided. In a guest opinion Thursday, party chairman Norm Semanko also criticized the state Democrats for … Continue reading
Unopposed House Democrat working on her priorities for 2011
Democratic Rep. Wendy Jacquet of Hailey is already working on her to-do list for when the Idaho Legislature meets next year. Jaquet has posted her legislative priorities on her website. She isn’t overlooking this November’s election—she’s one of two Democrats … Continue reading