Author
Reclaim Idaho files lawsuit over new ballot initiative law
Reclaim Idaho, the group behind the 2018 Medicaid expansion initiative, filed a lawsuit in Idaho Supreme Court on Friday attempting to strike down a new law they say makes it harder to bring a people’s ballot initiative forward. Another group comprising Idaho lawyers, The Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution, also has signed […]
Idaho legislative session to become longest in state history
After 115 bruising and divisive days under the Statehouse rotunda, Idaho legislators all but finished their business Wednesday night and called another recess until May 12. The recess guarantees the 2021 legislative session will be the longest in state history. Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, pushed Senate Concurrent Resolution 111 to facilitate the […]
Could Idaho’s legislative session wrap Wednesday? Leadership pushes for recess
Legislative leaders say they are preparing a push to finish the work of passing the state budget and voting on the few remaining bills by Wednesday night. The Senate plans to reconvene Wednesday morning and have most of its work complete by 3 p.m., which is when the House is due back in session. “I […]
Teacher salary budget, transportation bill pass Idaho Legislature on 113th day
The Idaho Legislature is working toward potentially adjourning the session for the year Tuesday following its most productive day in more than a month on Monday. During long afternoon floor sessions, the Idaho House of Representatives passed two crucial budgets that were rewritten. Then, early Monday evening, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, said the […]
House rejects $80 million in federal stimulus money, grants already earmarked for Idaho
The Idaho House of Representatives has rejected about $80 million dollars in federal grants and COVID-19 stimulus relief money allocated for Idaho over the past two months. The money would have gone for early childhood education, COVID-19 testing in schools and child care centers. On March 2, House Bill 226, a supplemental budget bill that […]
AG’s review finds bill designed to prevent government shutdown could be close call constitutionally
A review conducted by the office of Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden found that a bill designed to prevent a partial state government shutdown could be found constitutional. But Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane wrote that it could still be a close question as to whether House Bill 376 is in conflict with the […]
Idaho legislators put off budgeting. Now, the state risks a partial shutdown
Gov. Brad Little’s budget chief is worried that the length of the ongoing Idaho legislative session could lead to a partial government shutdown. The budget delay might threaten the state’s ability to have a budget in place in time to make payroll starting in June, Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex Adams told the Idaho […]
Idaho House rejects $40M in federal funds for COVID-19 testing in schools
The roller coaster ride that is setting the 2022 state budget continued Tuesday as legislators rewrote two major education budget bills and then the Idaho House rejected $40 million in separate, federal funding for COVID-19 testing in schools. Meanwhile, the Idaho Senate took its third recess of the session and does not plan to meet […]
With some budgets still undecided this session, legislators gear up for next big fight
Even though the Idaho Legislature is still at odds over issues blocking adjournment of the 2021 legislative session, a committee hearing on Monday offered a glimpse into one of the next big political debates. The House Education Committee met Monday to discuss drafting a letter to Gov. Brad Little, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri […]
New bill would allow Idaho Legislature to take an extended recess
Legislators made a brief appearance Friday at the Statehouse, just long enough to introduce a new bill that would allow them to take a recess and return in September. Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, sponsored a new bill that would let the Idaho Legislature take an extended recess at some point and then reconvene no later […]
JFAC votes to phase out federal child care funds by end of 2021
The Idaho Legislature’s joint budget committee made progress on one of the major unsettled budgets Thursday but two others — education budgets still awaiting a rewrite — were sidetracked. Between the unfinished budgets and the Senate adjourning until Monday morning, the 2021 session is guaranteed to continue into next week. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee began […]
House votes to override Little’s veto of one of the bills limiting emergency declarations
The Idaho House of Representatives voted Wednesday to override Gov. Brad Little’s veto of a bill that restricted gubernatorial authority and emergency declarations. Following a charged debate that lasted nearly two hours, the House voted 48-19 to override Little’s veto of House Bill 135. House Bill 135 is one of two bills relating to emergency […]