Monthly Archives: January 2008

Idaho’s colleges and universities pitched the budget committee Tuesday and got a fairly warm, backslapping reception. U of I president pointed out that a quarter of the legislature graduated from Moscow. Also, the ACLU is still supporting Larry Craig in Minnesota, whether he likes it or not. And we may soon be able to buy tequila on Election Day…

ACLU joins Craig appeal. Would it have been disorderly conduct if they were sitting on bar stools? ACLU brief: “Because the government may not criminalize private sex, it may not criminalize an invitation to have private sex… This is even so where the invitation is extended in a public place, whether a bar or a restroom.” Bolstad in the Statesman. Russell in the Spokesman.

Liquor stores could open on election days. Longtime ban on liquor sales during polling could be amended. Former Secrectary of State Pete Cenarrusa: “I think most people act pretty soberly.” Druzin in the Statesman. Eight other states still ban liquor sales on election day too. Russell in the Spokesman. Buy the whole bottle. Hopkins in theTimes-News.

Otter already tried changing state worker bennies last year. Plan went out to workers but was rescinded after complaints from lawmakers. Admin spokesperson: “We got word from the CEC co-chairs that that was not the direction they wanted us to go and that they wanted us to absorb all cost increases internally.” Hoffman in the Boise Weekly… [cont.]

Continue reading →

Lt. Gov. Risch and Idaho conservationists were in DC yesterday to testify on a proposed roadless plan. A series of meetings will be held around the state for those who couldn’t make it. Wolf kill and grizzly legislation is introduced … Continue reading →

Legislators return to work today with a number of hot bills on the table: a law to close primaries and one to make dog fighting a felony. A deal is reached on N. Idaho field burning that give DEQ it’s … Continue reading →

The budget committee is paying off supplemental requests for last year including more than $20 million for fire fighting. Lawmakers are hearing from the Ag Department about field burning, animal abuse and… fire. And a dog fighting and closed primary … Continue reading →

Gov. Otter’s pay plan for state workers will raise salaries and cut benefits in order, the thinking goes, to attract younger workers who don’t care about their benefits as much. Idaho schools get more failing grades on national study. And, … Continue reading →

In a delicate dance with the Legislature and the Governor, a Boise Valley transit coalition is pulling in more members from across the state and calling itself Moving Idaho Forward. It’s going to be buses and trains vs. asphalt and … Continue reading →

For a minute there he looked like Al Gore, double Power Point screens, talking about hybrid vehicles for state agencies and a DEQ review of emissions. But no. State of the State at BSU felt like a college (high school?) … Continue reading →

All the papers have “Legislature Starts Today” headlines, or something like that. The Statesman’s Legislative pullout section has useful info… I usually hang onto it through the session… the map will be helpful this year. Most of the “preview” coverage … Continue reading →