Government + Politics
Legislature reconvenes Tuesday following Statehouse COVID-19 outbreak
The Idaho Legislature is preparing to resume the 2021 session Tuesday following a 17-day recess that legislators abruptly announced amid a COVID-19 outbreak inside the Statehouse. Legislators shut things down March 19 after at least six House members and one staffer tested positive over the previous week and a half. Two members of the Senate […]
State legislator: Idaho lawmakers discussed not fully adjourning session this year
A Republican committee chairman said Idaho legislators have discussed the possibility of not making the traditional motion to adjourn their business for the year. Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, said legislators’ concerns about Gov. Brad Little’s authority and handling of CARES Act stimulus funding while the Legislature was not in session in 2020 prompted the […]
Idaho’s resistance to fund full-day kindergarten goes back decades
Before his retirement 10 years ago, Greg Culet served for more than 30 years as a magistrate and district court judge in Idaho’s 3rd Judicial District, a sprawling six-county swath of southwestern Idaho. From family law cases to felonies, Culet observed thousands of defendants from behind the bench. Over time he observed one immutable reality. […]
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes mortgage servicing changes to prevent wave of COVID-19 foreclosures
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a set of rule changes Monday intended to help prevent avoidable foreclosures as the emergency federal foreclosure protections expire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, millions of families nationwide have suffered the loss of income and nearly 3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages. The […]
City officials, legislators expect controversial property tax bill to return
As the Idaho Legislature gavels back into session today after a two-week recess following a COVID-19 outbreak, a viable property tax relief bill is still one of the top priorities for many. And while Senate Bill 1108 was narrowly defeated March 18, legislators and local city officials expect to see a similar bill introduced in […]
Idaho health officials see more COVID variants in race against time for vaccinations
Just as vaccines were rolling out, scientists broke some news: They had discovered slightly tweaked versions of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. These variants seemed to spread more easily. They seemed to make people sicker. And some of them had changed in subtle ways that seemed to make it harder for antibodies to attack. First, […]
Federal, state and tribal partners confront violence against Native Americans
Various members of Idaho’s federal and state court systems met Thursday to hold a roundtable event with Idaho tribal partners to learn from each other about violence against Native Americans and what actions could be taken to reduce domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crime on Idaho’s reservations. The discussion is part […]
After COVID scare, Idaho Legislature back in session Tuesday. Here’s how to follow along.
When the Idaho Legislature reconvenes Tuesday following an abrupt 17-day recess brought on by a COVID-19 Statehouse outbreak, Idahoans will be able to follow the action without leaving their home or office. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Legislature and Idaho Public Television have offered live streaming video of all committee hearings and floor sessions […]
Closed primaries one reason for decreasing civility in Idaho politics
Notice the rising temperature in Idaho politics? Don’t just blame trends on increased national political polarization. One reason Idaho’s democracy has become less civil in recent years can be traced to our state moving to a closed primary voting system. A closed primary system means that only people who are registered members of a political […]
1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been delivered to Idaho
The federal government has delivered 1.02 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Idaho as of Friday, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 783,000 of those doses have made it into Idahoans’ arms. Nearly 478,000 people in Idaho have received at least one dose of the vaccine. […]
Police officer dead after suspect rams car into barricade outside U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON — One U.S. Capitol Police officer was dead and another injured Friday after a driver slammed a car into a barricade outside the Capitol and struck the officers, according to law enforcement. The officer who died was identified as Officer William “Billy” Evans by police. “Officer Evans had been a member of the United […]
30 U.S. states now considering version of Idaho’s transgender athlete bill
A bill that bans transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports has quickly spread to 30 statehouses across the country after originating in Idaho. Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, the bill originated in the form of House Bill 500 during the 2020 Idaho legislative session. The Republican supermajority that […]