Environmental groups are asking a federal court to halt 11 infrastructure projects on four lower Snake River dams in Washington state that could ultimately be removed if a pending review determines the dams need to come out to help salmon, the AP reports. The 45-page notice filed late Monday in Portland...
Top legislative leaders are no longer optimistic that the $8 million they squirrelled away last year will be used as a settlement in the state's ongoing school broadband legal disputes, the AP reports...
The Legislature’s joint committee on change in employee compensation – commonly known as CEC – will meet this afternoon at 2:30 in room EW 42 (agenda here) to review the latest state compensation report and the governor’s recommendation for 3 percent merit-based raises for state…
At a white-draped table in the well of the Senate, an unusual ceremony is taking place, as part of an unsuccessful Senate candidate’s formal protest of the election. Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney and Chief Deputy Tim Hurst carried in a sealed box. “I…
Gov. Butch Otter’s budget director, Jani Revier, briefed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning on the governor’s budget proposal for next year, running rapid-fire through line items and numbers. At the end of the briefing, surprisingly, there was just one question. JFAC Co-Chair Sen. Shawn…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter put his focus squarely on education Monday as he kicked off the legislative session with an address to a joint session of the House and Senate – bitterly disappointing many House Republicans by ruling out big new tax cuts. You can read my full story here...
At a somber Statehouse press conference this afternoon, members of the “Close the Gap Idaho” coalition urged lawmakers not to hit the “pause” button on Idaho’s health coverage gap as they await word of what will happen in Washington, D.C. “The fact is that doing…
House and Senate Democrats cited some common ground with GOP Gov. Butch Otter today in their reaction to his State of the State message, particularly in his focus on education. “Today’s State of the State made it clear to us that Gov. Otter has heard…
House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, had two immediate reactions to Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State address today, one positive and one negative. The positive: He praised Otter for including a $15 million line item in the public school budget to cover health insurance…
Gov. Butch Otter told reporters today that he was happy to apply for a job in the Trump Administration because if he left, he’d leave “the state in pretty good hands – because Brad Little would take over.” Little is the lieutenant governor, who succeeds…
An array of protesters from “Add the 4 Words Idaho” were in the Capitol rotunda today, carrying signs about ways specific Idahoans have suffered because of discrimination or harassment over their sexual orientation or gender identity. Gov. Butch Otter walked by a large number of…
Following his State of the State address, Gov. Butch Otter has named the first recipient of the Idaho Medal of Achivement, the state’s highest civilian honor: Barbara Morgan, the teacher and astronaut from McCall who now teaches at Boise State University. “By every measure, the...
“If the recent national election taught us anything, it’s that the people are still in charge,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. “I’m proud that Idahoans voted in support of real and substantial change in our national government and against stuck-in-the-mud business as usual.” He said,...
Continuing his hopeful tone about a new Trump Administration, Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today in his State of the State address, “I am optimistic that President-elect Trump and his team will work to ensure that meaningful reforms are implemented to keep such agencies as...
“Folks, we all aspire to be more self-reliant,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today. “We strive for it in our personal lives as well as in the operation of our state government. Few federal edicts in recent years have been more intrusive or more damaging…
“It’s no surprise that we all want tax relief,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. “For some, it’s the top priority of this legislative session. But I would remind you that together we have reduced the burden on our citizens, on taxes, during my tenure by...
Gov. Butch Otter is calling for $1.5 million next year to pay the remaining costs of starting up new mental health crisis centers in Twin Falls and Boise, joining those already established in Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene. “They are providing significant savings on law…
On higher education, Gov. Butch Otter is proposing just a 2.16 percent increase in state general funds, while he’s calling for a 6.37 percent boost for community colleges. But separately from the higher ed budget, he’s also calling for a $35 million building initiative, through...
“Seldom has the future seemed either as hopeful or as uncertain,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers in his State of the State message today. “It is beyond our power, or that of any state government, to bring order to national and global turmoil. But it…
Gov. Butch Otter told a joint session of the Legislature today, “It’s my honor and privilege to report to you today that the state of Idaho is resurgent, and in fact is gaining a national reputation among states for our stability and our strength.” Otter...
As Gov. Butch Otter begins his State of the State address today, he has recognized Idaho’s newest Supreme Court justice, Robyn Brody; and several members of the executive branch who are leaving – former Corrections Director Kevin Kempf, who now heads a national corrections association;…
“You know, I just figure out something – the more hands I shake the longer you applaud,” Otter said with a smile after he greeted lawmakers on his way into the House chamber for this State of the State address this morning.
Newly retired Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones has penned an open letter to Idaho’s congressional delegation warning about the dangers of appeasing Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin. “Now that I am no longer wearing a robe, I plan to join in the…
Preparations are under way this morning at the state Capitol for Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State and budget message to a joint session of the Legislature, which is set for 1 p.m. MT. The House and Senate both convene for the year at…
Sen. Roy Lacey, D-Pocatello, who retired last year after serving two terms in the Senate, is back at the Statehouse this week, filling in for Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello. Smith is out due to a health issue but is scheduled to be back Monday. Asked…
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