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Education savings account bill introduced in Idaho Senate committee
Idaho’s Senate Education Committee introduced a bill modeled after Arizona’s universal education savings account program on Tuesday, with a stated price tag of $20 million in state funds, according to previous statements from legislators. Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, is a member of the education committee and the bill’s sponsor. The legislation, titled “Freedom in Education […]
Idaho congressmen sign letter demanding FDA reverse abortion drug decision
All four members of Idaho’s congressional delegation signed a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration demanding that the agency reverse its decision in early January to allow retail and mail-order pharmacies to dispense the abortion drug mifepristone, saying the action violated federal law by disregarding doubts about the safety of the drug. Nearly […]
Senate Education Committee votes to introduce bill to repeal Idaho’s Blaine Amendment
A Nampa legislator introduced a bill Monday that would repeal the Blaine Amendment in Idaho’s Constitution, a clause that states no public entity — including the Legislature — shall appropriate funds that support religious organizations, including schools. The joint resolution, sponsored by Rep. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, would need approval from two-thirds of both chambers of […]
Idaho attorneys ask federal judge for time to file new brief in abortion case
Representatives from the Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office plan to file a new brief in the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against the state over its abortion bans now that a new attorney general has taken office and the Idaho Supreme Court has upheld the laws. Deputy Attorney General Steven L. Olsen asked the […]
Idaho medical school director to budget committee: Residencies still a challenge for students
The director of the University of Idaho’s medical school program told members of the Idaho Legislature’s budget-setting committee Friday that it continues to struggle with too few in-state residency options for graduating students, contributing to Idaho’s longtime problem of having the lowest number of physicians per 100,000 people. The Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho […]
Proposed bill would prohibit child safety investigations in Idaho based on immunization status
A bill that would prohibit immunization status from being a factor in child protection investigations or termination of parental rights was introduced in the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, but Sen. Carl Bjerke, R-Coeur d’Alene, appeared in his place to present it. Under […]
Under proposed bill, Idaho couples would no longer apply for marriage licenses
A bill that would remove the legal requirement for couples to obtain a marriage license from their respective county recorder’s office will be printed for the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee to consider at a full hearing. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle. Herndon said that, in his work as a pastor […]
Idaho attorney general joins Texas immigration lawsuit against Biden administration
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced his office joined a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration over the expansion of a parole program for Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Cubans, an action the administration took in early January. The White House’s announcement said the program will provide a lawful and streamlined way for qualifying nationals of […]
Idaho Abortion Rights receives donation to increase free emergency contraception supply
Mutual aid group Idaho Abortion Rights is increasing its distribution of free emergency contraception pills across Idaho through a new partnership with a contraception brand called Julie, which is also sold in Walmart stores and online. Kimra Luna, co-founder of Idaho Abortion Rights, said the group will receive 500 units of emergency contraception from Julie […]
Get help with unemployment insurance at Idaho Department of Labor mobile offices
Idahoans out of work through no fault of their own can get help filing for unemployment insurance through Idaho Department of Labor staff in local and mobile office locations throughout the state, according to a press release. Unemployment insurance is an eligibility program that replaces part of a worker’s lost income when they become unemployed […]
Idaho senator: ‘We will never stop trying’ to add the words to state civil rights act
A Boise senator introduced a personal bill Friday to encourage the Idaho Legislature to reconsider passing a law that would add the words sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho’s Civil Rights Act, a bill that has failed to pass the Legislature for more than 15 years. Personal bills are often introduced by legislators who […]
Group dedicated to clean energy future holds first education day at Idaho Capitol
Idaho Energy Freedom, a new organization dedicated to educating Idahoans and lawmakers about the importance and benefits of sustainable energy, held its first education day at the Idaho Capitol on Wednesday with speakers from Owyhee County and the Nez Perce Tribe. The group, founded in September, hopes to combat misinformation around clean energy and to […]