Tag Archives: Fred Wood
Lawmakers looking to contain cost of catastrophic health care fund
When Idaho’s poorest people get emergency care at a hospital and are unable to pay, counties and the Idaho state government foot the bill. That bill has been growing by millions in recent years, and government officials who have to … Continue reading
PERSI not going away but state contribution hike could be delayed
The retirement system for most Idaho state employees has recovered its losses from the economic recession and could potentially delay a $15 million state payment for another year to ease budget concerns. Don Drum, the director of the Public Employee … Continue reading
Lawmakers may scale back retirement contribution rate hike to save $15 million next year
State lawmakers may be faced with a budget deficit that could reach $400 million and will be looking to save money wherever they can during the next legislative session, set to begin Jan. 11, 2011. It is possible legislators could … Continue reading
Stakeholders react to passage of constitutional amendments
Earlier this week, Idaho voters approved four constitutional amendments that will alter how some political entities in the state conduct business in the Gem State. A few days later, major players in the fight for – and against – the … Continue reading
Airport amendment the biggest – and most controversial – of all three measures on the ballot
This is the amendment that started it all. Idaho has three constitutional amendments dealing with public debt and financing Nov. 2, but House Joint Resolution 5 (HJR5) is the granddaddy of them all. This measure is the result of a … Continue reading
Activist questions pro-hospital amendment advertisement (video)
David Frazier, a blogger, photojournalist, and government watchdog, isn’t happy about an ad produced by the Idaho Hospital Association (IHA) in support of a constitutional amendment on the ballot Nov. 2. Frazier, one of the leading voices of opposition against … Continue reading
Power cities want passage of amendment for stable pricing
When voters head to the polls Nov. 2, they will have a chance to restructure the Idaho Constitution. Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature passed three resolutions concerning constitutional amendments. Each resolution focused on a different entity’s ability to take … Continue reading
Cost sharing for parents of disabled children to begin May 1
Idaho lawmakers last year directed the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to find ways to save money in the state’s Medicaid program. The department developed a policy that includes cost-sharing for the parents of special needs children on Medicaid, which lawmakers approved earlier … Continue reading
House approves budget for public schools
Members of the Idaho House approved a $1.2 billion budget for public schools in Idaho after a lengthy and, at times, emotional debate on the House floor. The budget passed by lawmakers contains an overall reduction of 7.5 percent, or … Continue reading
House Health and Welfare gives OK to fee increase for parents of disabled children
A controversial plan to raise fees on parents of disabled children finally received committee approval Wednesday after a month-long wait for a decision on the issue. Members of the House Health and Welfare Committee voted to approve the measure because … Continue reading