Category Archives: State Laws & Policies
Legislative watchdog to look into college funding and graduation
The Idaho Legislature’s investigative and accountability arm, the Office of Performance Evaluations (OPE), will spend the next year looking into how the state funds public colleges and universities as well as why Idaho has low post-secondary graduation rates. A panel … Continue reading
Idaho’s credit rating moves up
Businesses could be thinking more highly of Idaho’s state government, as the state’s credit rating rose in the latest evaluation by ratings company Standard and Poor’s. The state government got an AA+ rating, up from an AA rating. Several state … Continue reading
House considering disaster declaration on wolves
Idaho lawmakers are considering a plan that would encourage Gov. Butch Otter to declare a disaster emergency due to the state’s wolf population. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, is sponsoring the plan that was introduced Friday in the House Ways … Continue reading
Senate passes altered plan to limit porn on library computers
The Idaho Senate approved a compromise version of legislation limiting access to obscene or pornographic materials on public library computers. The Senate plan gives more leeway to libraries to use Internet filters to block questionable content. The amended version of … Continue reading
Legislators making changes to farming policies
Idaho state government’s relationship to farmers could see changes under legislation working its way through the Legislature this session. Changes to regulations for dairy farms and large poultry operations, supported by the agricultural industry, were approved by the Idaho Senate … Continue reading
House passes foreclosure help bill
Homeowners facing a mortgage payment crisis received some potential help from the Idaho House of Representatives Thursday. The House passed H331 unanimously, which would help homeowners who are facing foreclosure better deal with the situation. Over the last three or … Continue reading
Lawmakers approve bigger corrections budget, tougher gang law
The Idaho House and Senate both approved a $7.8 million increase in state taxpayer funding for the state’s prison system, a 5.4 percent increase. The total budget for the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) would be $175.6 million for the … Continue reading
Lone urban renewal reform plan passes Senate
Idaho lawmakers considered 10 different pieces of reforms to urban renewal agencies this year, but so far just one plan that passed the Senate Tuesday has a chance to become law if signed by the governor and if changes are … Continue reading
Possible abortion loophole may close for teens on Medicaid
Idaho lawmakers will do away with a state rule that allows girls under the age of 18 and on Medicaid to receive taxpayer-funded abortions. Anti-abortion rights groups call the state policy a loophole, while officials with the Department of Health … Continue reading