Category Archives: People & Politics
Reopening the budget could delay legislative session
New legislation passed in the waning days of the Idaho legislative session could require lawmakers to reopen the budget to make budget and policy match. That action could put the end of the legislative session on hold. Sen. Dean Cameron, … 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
Otter continues to oppose federal health reforms, but supports money for exchanges
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter joined other GOP governors in marking the one-year anniversary of the enactment federal health care reforms by condemning the plan, but he also supports accepting federal money for planning part of the reforms. Otter issued a … Continue reading
Idaho Senate moves forward with fixes to unemployment fund
The Idaho Senate will likely vote on a plan to borrow money to help out the state’s unemployment fund, which has gone broke. A Senate panel also approved a plan to allow Idahoans to receive additional federal unemployment benefits that … Continue reading
Pocatello Navy recruiter offered fake notes to help students to protest Luna’s plan
A U.S. Navy recruiter in the Pocatello area offered to use his power to excuse students from class to help some pupils rally against Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reform package Monday. Aaron Cavin, a Navy reservist and recruiter, used his … Continue reading
Police escorted student protestors out of the Capitol due to noise
Protests by hundreds of students at the Idaho State Capitol Monday started out quietly, with some students doing homework as others held signs opposing school reforms proposed by state schools superintendent Tom Luna. By the end of their protest, state … Continue reading
Otter ‘stands’ with Wisconsin Gov. Walker on his budget
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is joining fellow GOP governors showing support for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whose plan to repair that state’s budget is drawing national attention due to opposition protests from union members and others. Otter is backing Walker … Continue reading
Luna tells City Club campaign contributions didn’t affect reform plan
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna told a crowd at a City Club of Boise event that his reform plan for public schools isn’t swayed by money given to help his campaigns for office. “Nothing could be further from … Continue reading