Category Archives: State Laws & Policies
Transportation boss announces middle-man phase out
The Idaho Transportation Department will phase out some middle managers in a realignment that could save $1.5 million over the next two years, the agency’s director announced Wednesday. “We need to make changes to our layered organizational structure to have … Continue reading
GOP gain in Idaho House could trigger policy changes
The Idaho Legislature will likely see a more conservative tilt the next two years, as Republicans could pick up five seats in the Idaho House of Representative. The GOP and Democrats appear to have swapped a seat in the Idaho … Continue reading
Four constitutional amendments approved by Idaho voters
Despite fierce opposition by one Boise activist and some state lawmakers, it looks as if four constitutional amendments on the ballot Tuesday are bound for passage. Senate Joint Resolution 101 (SJR101) gives the University of Idaho (UI) the power to … Continue reading
Idaho asking U.S. Supreme Court to hear death penalty case
Both sides in a death penalty case are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the decision of the Idaho Supreme Court that set aside capital punishment for a man convicted of murdering two people. The state of Idaho is … Continue reading
Election Day, 2010 – the voters get their chance to be heard
For months politicians throughout the state have been asking voters to give them their support on Election Day, Nov. 2. Now it is the voters’ turn to be heard. Idaho voters go to the polls Tuesday to elect a full … Continue reading
Otter, Allred split on health care plans (video)
Possibly one of the most substantial pieces of law to come out of the 2010 legislative session was the Idaho Health Freedom Act, a bill allowing the state attorney general to sue the federal government over health care reforms, specifically … Continue reading
AARP concerned about voter ID ad
AARP Idaho wants all of its members 50 years and older to vote in the Nov. 2 election, and is concerned about public service announcements on the new law asking voters to bring photo identification to the polls. Officials with … Continue reading
Superintendent candidates Luna and Olson differ on merit pay systems for teachers (video)
The next state superintendent of public instruction could reform the way teachers are paid in the state of Idaho and the two men in the running for the top education spot differ wildly on educator pay programs. The Democrat in … Continue reading
Early ballot opening could be skirting state law; Sec. of State official says directive legit
County clerks across the state are opening absentee ballots early despite state law that apparently bars doing so. On Wednesday, Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst told clerks they could open ballots early; clerks wanting to cut the election-day workload … Continue reading
Mother of pumpkin-selling kids tells her side of the story, will send taxes to state
No mother would ever raise her kids to be tax cheats. Right? Kami Charais is mother of two Lewiston kids who made national news last weekend after a staffer from the Idaho State Tax Commission attempted to shut down their … Continue reading