Government + Politics
Idaho Supreme Court hears arguments in Reclaim Idaho ballot initiative case
One of the central questions in an Idaho Supreme Court hearing Tuesday morning was whether a new ballot initiative law places too severe a burden on Idahoans’ rights to bring a ballot initiative forward. Idaho Supreme Court justices spent almost 90 minutes hearing oral arguments over Zoom in the case of Reclaim Idaho’s lawsuit against […]
‘Inherent barriers’ hindering federal aid for Idaho rental assistance
Even with extensions, one local housing organization says the national eviction moratorium and additional federal funding isn’t helping those struggling with housing costs in the Treasure Valley. The eviction moratorium that began in September 2020 was scheduled to expire at the end of March but received an extension to the end of June. That deadline […]
Facing COVID-related foreclosure? New federal rules apply
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released new rules Monday to establish temporary safeguards for borrowers who are exiting forbearance plans and may be facing foreclosure, including loan modifications and the option of selling the home. The rules, which generally exclude small servicers, cover loans on principal residences and will take effect on Aug. 31, according […]
Supreme Court affirms transgender rights in declining to hear Virginia school bathroom case
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it will not hear a case of a transgender student in Virginia who was barred from using the boys’ bathroom, a decision that affirms lower-court rulings that said treating transgender students differently violates federal law. Justices on the top court offered no comment in declining to take […]
Immediate U.S. action is essential to save our endangered Afghan friends — before it’s too late
Editor’s note: This guest column was originally published in The Hill on May 19. President Joe Biden and White House officials on Thursday said they plan to evacuate Afghans who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and could be targeted by the Taliban as the U.S. withdraws military from the country. “Those who helped […]
Simpson’s salmon plan: Once in a generation opportunity or no path forward?
Two of the major hurdles to U.S. Rep Mike Simpson’s proposed salmon recovery plan: people and money. In an effort to save endangered and threatened salmon, Simpson, R-Idaho, unveiled the Columbia Basin Initiative in February after he and his staff said they participated in 300 meetings over the past three years on the topic. The […]
Ada commissioners won’t keep Dr. Epperly, who favored COVID measures, on health board
Ada County Commissioners have decided not to renew the appointment of Dr. Ted Epperly to the Central District Health board. “After 15 years of service to Central District Health, I was sent an e-mail saying … ‘Thank You For Your Service.’ An incredible example of politics becoming more important than public health knowledge and expertise,” […]
Conservative speakers and candidates dominate second education task force meeting
Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s education indoctrination task force met for the second time Thursday at the Statehouse, with the agenda again dominated by a series of conservative speakers who agreed with the task force’s mission. McGeachin formed the task force herself — it wasn’t created by the Legislature or statute — “to examine indoctrination in […]
Biden and bipartisan senators clinch a deal on $1.2T infrastructure plan
WASHINGTON — The White House and a bipartisan group of U.S. senators said Thursday they’ve struck a deal on the outlines of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, marking a breakthrough on federal dollars for road and bridge projects after weeks of negotiations — but with significant hurdles still ahead. President Joe Biden stood with the […]
‘A gamechanger in the darkest months,’ Idaho National Guard’s COVID-19 mission ends
After more than a year of service, from helping food banks to helping vaccinate Idahoans, the governor is winding down the Idaho National Guard’s pandemic mission. Noting that COVID-19 is now under better control in Idaho, Gov. Brad Little on Thursday announced the draw-down of the Idaho National Guard’s COVID-19 response teams this month. Their […]
Biden administration extends federal eviction moratorium for one final month
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday extended a national moratorium on evictions for another month, offering what federal officials say will be a final respite while they scramble to beef up other help for renters that could mitigate a wave of evictions once the legal protection does expire. The added month of eviction relief comes […]
U.S. House panel approves legislation to clean up toxic ‘forever chemicals’
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved major bipartisan legislation that aims to reduce Americans’ exposure to toxic chemicals in air, water and consumer products. The bill, the PFAS Action Act of 2021, led by Michigan Reps. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat and Fred Upton, a Republican, was approved 33-20 late Wednesday. […]