News
Idaho Senate passes bill to limit governor’s emergency powers
The Idaho Senate passed a bill Friday that would limit a governor’s emergency declaration powers and limit emergency restrictions that could be placed on residents or workers. If passed into law, House Bill 135 would make it so a governor could not extend an emergency or disaster declaration passed 60 days, except to continue receiving […]
Biden pitches big boosts in education, health spending in budget request
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration released a key portion of its budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year Friday, calling for increasing money for schools, public health programs, cancer research and other discretionary programs that it says have been underfunded for too long. The president’s $1.5 trillion request seeks to spend $769 billion on discretionary […]
Idaho GOP leadership accuses state of unlawfully using vaccine record system
Republican leaders in the Idaho Legislature have accused the state of unlawfully using a vaccine record-keeping system. They are pushing for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to destroy its records on adult immunizations. In a letter to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, the House and Senate majority leaders said the state’s Immunization Reminder […]
Former chief justice delivers 16,000 signatures to governor’s office urging veto on initiative bill
A former chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court delivered a petition with 16,000 signatures to Gov. Brad Little’s office asking that the governor veto a bill that would add more requirements for Idahoans to get an initiative on the ballot, according to a press release from Conservation Voters for Idaho. Senate Bill 1110, which […]
Income tax cut and rebate bill sent to amending order for adjustments
An income tax bill that would lower Idaho’s top corporate and individual tax brackets and issue a tax rebate to Idaho residents was sent to the 14th Order for amendments by the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee on Thursday. Senators said adjustments need to be made to the tax bracket numbers, and one senator […]
Idaho Legislature comes out against Simpson’s salmon recovery plan
The Idaho Legislature formally came out against U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s salmon recovery proposal that calls for breaching dams along the Snake River. The Idaho House voted 58-12 along party lines Thursday to adopt Senate Joint Memorial 103, which is a statement of opposition to removing or breaching dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers […]
U.S. gun violence an ‘international embarrassment,’ Biden says in rolling out executive action
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday reiterated his call on Congress to pass stalled gun legislation reform but also outlined executive action he’s taking on several gun control measures, following deadly mass shootings last month in Colorado and Georgia. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment,” Biden said […]
Biden administration to suggest model ‘red flag’ gun laws for states
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice will distribute model “red flag” legislation to states so they can enact laws that would allow courts to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual who is distressed, according to senior Biden administration officials. “The president will not wait for Congress to act before the administration takes our own […]
Idaho Legislature’s COVID-19 outbreak infected at least 14, spread to household members
The COVID-19 cluster that formed last month in the Idaho Capitol building infected at least 14 people who live in four different regions of the state. The Idaho Legislature went into recess March 19 after several legislators and employees tested positive in the span of a week and a half. Earlier in the legislative session, […]
Idaho may soon become 50th state to legalize industrial hemp
Both chambers of the Idaho Legislature passed a bill that would legalize the production, processing, research and transportation of industrial hemp statewide. The Idaho Senate passed the bill in a 30-5 vote on Wednesday. Until now, Idaho has been the lone holdout in the United States that did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana. […]
Idaho Legislature approves changes to initiative signature gathering requirements
The Idaho House on Wednesday sent a bill that would change the signature gathering requirements for citizen ballot initiatives to Gov. Brad Little’s desk for final consideration. If passed into law, Senate Bill 1110 would require organizers of a ballot initiative to collect signatures from 6% of voters in each of the state’s 35 legislative […]
Quest for D.C. statehood finds new friends and foes: Other states
WASHINGTON — Congress had yet to schedule a hearing on a measure granting statehood to the District of Columbia when a panel of state lawmakers in Arizona voted in February to take a stand against D.C’s plea to become the 51st state. From their committee room some 2,300 miles from the nation’s capital, members of […]