Tag Archives: Tom Loertscher
With defeat of Loertscher bill, legislative primary elections stay in May
Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, didn’t get support from his own committee Wednesday in his push to move legislative primary elections to August. The House State Affairs Committee, a panel chaired by Loerstscher, voted down his measure after strong opposition from … Continue reading
GOP’s change to caucus system, redistricting trouble could move primary to August
Last year, the Idaho Republican Party changed its presidential candidate selection system from a primary to a closed caucus format. That move could have a ripple effect and may aid in a push to change the state’s primary election from … Continue reading
Millions in federal ag money flows to Idaho lawmakers
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which hosts an online database detailing federal ag subsidies between 1995 and 2009, about $4.3 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found its way into the pockets of Idaho … Continue reading
Bill to prevent legislative pension-spiking killed, but more discussion may come next year
Bill to prevent legislative pension-spiking killed, but more discussion may come next year In the final weeks of the 2011 legislative session, Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, introduced a bill to prevent state legislators from spiking their taxpayer-funded pensions after long … Continue reading
House approves $100,000 payment to Republicans for legal costs
Members of the Idaho House have approved sending in $100,000 in taxpayer dollars to the Idaho Republican Party to pay for costs incurred by a legal challenge to the state’s primary election system. Legislators voted 44-24 to approve the transfer … Continue reading
Committee refers bill to limit wind turbine construction to interim panel
A bill that would have placed limits on where large wind turbines could be built in Idaho has been held by the House State Affairs Committee and will make its way to another panel for further review. After about two … Continue reading
Panel delays action on bill to allow concealed carry of guns on college campuses
The House State Affairs Committee delayed action on a bill that would allow holders of concealed weapons permits to carry firearms on college campuses. Lawmakers debated the issue for about an hour and a half before they headed to the … Continue reading
House panel defeats measure calling for repeal of the 17th Amendment
It’s the issue in Idaho politics that keeps popping up in the political process: repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gives the general public the ability to directly elect U.S. senators. With the rise of the … Continue reading