Author
Boise code now prevents sale of non-shelter pets at stores, updates sections about animals in cars
City code changes regarding animal cruelty went into effect on Monday, updating sections of code surrounding animals left in vehicles and prohibiting the sale of non-shelter animals at retail stores. “This represents a complete re-write of our animal code, setting the ‘gold standard’ for our furry friends and creates a ‘compassionate animal code’ for our […]
Pandemic fallout: Idaho health department responds to need for depression, anxiety resources
The oldest caller to the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline since it launched in 2012 was 92 years old, while the youngest was just 7 years old. And as the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the state, Idahoans of all ages have needed more mental health resources to get by. During the first three months of 2021, […]
Idaho’s nutrition program for women, infants and children benefits will temporarily increase
To promote the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, the cash-value benefit amount for participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children will temporarily increase to $35 per month, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced in a press release. The increase will be in effect from June […]
‘A great move forward’: New transportation funds support Idaho Highway 16 extension project
From the time he chaired then-Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s transportation task force in 2010, Gov. Brad Little has known Idaho is short hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation funding on an annual basis. That’s part of why this legislative session, he championed a funding package that included a one-time $126 million infusion from surplus […]
Idaho Lt. Gov. McGeachin issues order terminating public agency mask mandates
While acting as governor in Gov. Brad Little’s absence on Thursday, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin issued an executive order prohibiting mask mandates issued by the state or its “political subdivisions,” including public schools, counties, cities and public health districts. It also extends to state boards, commissions, departments and divisions. The order is effective as of […]
Idaho doesn’t review its tax exemptions. Billions go uncollected annually, report says.
Editor’s note: This is Part I of an ongoing series examining the various aspects of Idaho’s tax exemptions and lack of a legislative review process. The oldest known tax exemption on the books in Idaho became law in 1931, during the worst years of the Great Depression. One of the newest is a first-time homebuyer […]
Fulcher signs letter urging Pelosi to drop mask requirements in U.S. House
Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, was one of 34 U.S. House members to sign a letter addressed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, urging her to end mandatory mask requirements and return to normal voting procedures in the House. The May 14 letter came the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Idaho’s circuit breaker changes will disproportionately affect low-income seniors
The average median income of an individual using Idaho’s circuit breaker program for property tax exemption was $17,635 in 2019, according to data from the Idaho State Tax Commission. Of the 26,916 Idahoans who filed claims through the program in 2020, 85% were over the age of 65. And under new property tax law passed […]
Crowd of 100 at Idaho Capitol came to support McGeachin for governor
To a crowd of more than 100 enthusiastic supporters waving flags in front of the Idaho Capitol, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin focused on a message about the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic, individual rights and state sovereignty against the federal government. It was her second announcement of the day that she is running for […]
McGeachin campaign website, since taken down, says she’s running for governor
A website with campaign information and videos of Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, which was taken down Tuesday evening after the Idaho Capital Sun inquired about it, said the longtime Republican is running for governor in the GOP’s May 2022 primary. If she runs and wins the primary, she’ll run in the Nov. 8, 2022, general […]
Left on the table: Millions from federal relief bill went untouched by Idaho Legislature
If you felt like it was hard to keep track of the various bills appropriating millions of dollars under consideration at the Idaho Legislature this session, you aren’t alone. Between power struggles over whether the Legislature would retain control of federal funds between legislative sessions and battles over funding for COVID-19 testing in school and […]
Governor appoints Lori McCann to former North Idaho legislator’s seat
Lori McCann, a former Lewis-Clark State College professor and business owner, has been appointed to fill the legislative seat previously held by Aaron von Ehlinger, according to a press release from Gov. Brad Little’s office. Von Ehlinger resigned at the end of April following an ethics hearing in the Idaho House of Representatives over his […]