Ed Board Grill & Roads

The main event Thursday was a minor squirming induced on the State Board of Education, members of which were forced to answer two hours of questioning by the Senate Education Committee. Board members held fast in their blaming of the staff.

Not asked, as far as Paleo can tell: Where has Idaho education come under the Board’s tenure. Just a forest and trees question.

The midwife licensing bill passed a sloppy Health and Welfare Committee meeting followed immediately by a sloppy abortion coercion bill.

And transportation fights have just begun… in today’s Newsrack.

Crapo, Craig, 21 others urge new Cuba policy

Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Larry Craig joined 21 other Senators in urging the State Department to engage with Cuba in the wake of Fidel Castro’s resignation. You can read more about western politicians and their love of Cuba in this week’s High Country News.

Read the letter after the jump.

Class sends vid to Legislature

The Senate this morning accepted major amendments to a bill brought by a group of school kids to reign in the absolute power of homeowner’s associations.

The bill will still get a full Senate debate, but the students, who have maxed out their out-of-classroom lobbying time, are reaching out to lawmakers via YouTube.

Pre-K, Guns & Abortion

House leaders scrambled Wednesday for a response to the governor’s plan to raise highway moneys by jacking fees and taxes, calling the Ways and Means committee to order almost twice. A rapid hearing on early childhood education brought no opposition, though opponents were purportedly watching from the stands and may be waiting for House hearings jump into the fray.

Abortion spin is swirling with a hearing today on coerced abortions and the release of gotcha tapes from a California student anti-abortion group. Not clear if a counter bill on coercion in opposition to abortions will be heard. Paleo-wife wants a bill making it a felony to coerce a pregnant woman to do anything at all.

And a bill banning local jurisdictions from making their own gun laws gained initial approval and is headed to the full Senate. In today’s Newsrack…

Sudan task force chides senator

In a powerfully worded missive to the Legislature, Idaho Task Force for Divestment from Sudan coordinator John Sullivan takes Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie to task for bowing to GOP pressure. Read the letter here…

Senate OKs out-of-state workers on Capitol

You can listen to the minimal Senate debate on out-of-state Capitol construction workers set to a fitting Billie Holiday tune on PaleoMedia.org.

Car Tax, Vouchers & Sage Grouse

Gov. Otter’s people proposed several large tax hikes Tuesday to pay for road work in Idaho. The bills still have to be introduced in one the the privileged committees before they are debated. Meanwhile, Canyon County mayors are riding the bus.

A school voucher plan was introduced to some intense discussion begging editorial cartoonage, SPTD. Luna’s teacher merit pay lite passes Senate committee, sage grouse ESA review begins again… in today’s Newsrack.

And on the docket this morning: gun and lobby reform, repeal of Idaho’s in-state labor first law for the Capitol could be up for debate in the Senate and later, Pre-K gets a once over [see Unda' for details].

Death Row, Otter & Field Burning

Palpable pickup of the pace Monday at the Annex. Maybe it’s Otter’s reappearance on the scene or the realization that March is almost here, but some of the big bills are now moving.

The budget committee made drug treatment a priority Monday, against the wishes of the governor. Also, in a newsy press conference, Otter signed a dog fighting bill, changed his mind on private prison construction and said to expect changes on the State Board of Education.

Coming today: Senate Transportation committee considers new fees and midwife licensing in House H&W. All the news that’s fit to surf in today’s Newsrack.

Pre-K, Craig & Liquor

Gov. Otter is back in the office meeting with Legislative leaders in person and holding a bill signing today at noon. To make dog fights a felony.

Hearings coming this week on pre-schooling, maybe a vote on midwife licensing in the House and a raft of special interest liquor bills are coming down the pike.

The national and international reactions to wolf delisting are coming in and one thing is clear: lots of people are keenly watching Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to see how the states handle their wolf business… in today’s Newsrack…

Wolves, Dairy Testimony & Quake

Most papers lead this morning with stories of wolf delisting, a 13-year saga that has brought back one of the most emblematic species of the West. The road ahead is not clear with battles looming in court and in the field.

A bill that opens up testimony at CAFO hearings at the county level is headed to the full Senate, but could get tied up in the House again. Tamarack troubles continue. Schools Chief pitches his modified teacher merit pay plan. And it was, in fact, an earthquake felt across southern Idaho yesterday.

And in case you have not picked up Unda’ yet, the John Birch Society is still kickin’…

Wolves delisted. Management could be handed over to the state next month. Animal rightists worried about numbers while haters clamber for tags. Steve Nadeau, Idaho Fish and Game: “Adaptive management is how we will approach the whole wolf management issue.” Barker and Philips in the Statesman. Three states plan for fall hunts. AP in the Press Tribune. About 300 Idaho tags could be offered… in Friday’s Newsrack…