Otter back in the office

Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter was back in the office this morning presiding over a meeting of the State Land Board. It was his first day in the office since he had his right hip resurfaced on Jan. 29.

Sudan, Midwife Debate & Home Prices

A powerful (as in compelling, not corrupt) effort to force Idaho’s retirement fund to drop a few companies that do business with the Sudanese government failed Wednesday in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Chairman Curt McKenzie, once a sponsor of the bill, sided with the money folks, arguing that it was a slippery slope to pick and choose causes for divestment.

Midwives, OBs packed the house to debate the merits of licensing midwifery in the state. Vote delayed due to the hour. A real estate price disclosure bill passed committee after 17 years, Dairymen are taking up the immigration debate and Head Start funding is on the line… in today’s NewsRack.

McKenzie kills Sudan divestment bill. Nampa Sen. Curt McKenzie, former co-sponsor can’t decide where the line is, votes down targeted divestment of PERSI funds. John Sullivan, Divestment Taskforce: “This is a matter of PERSI not wanting any legislative input at all, irrespective of their funds enabling genocide.” Ferguson in the LMT [subscrip]. Druzin in the Statesman.

Long labor, no vote on midwife bill. More than five hours of testimony leaves no time for a vote. Midwives want voluntary licensing but some doctors and nurses oppose it. Idaho County Doc Andrew Jones: “There’s a huge 600-pound gorilla in the room. That 600-pound gorilla is the rogue element of lay midwifery that will not come forward and get licensed.” Rep. McGeachin demands apology. Shifrin, AP in the Press Tribune. McGeachin says mandatory licenses would outlaw lay midwifery in the state. Davidson in the Post-Register [subscrip].

$1.79 million in Head Start funding may be eliminated. Governor, H&W reccommend cutting Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds that go to Head Start. Half-million dollar shortfall…

First U.S. prez born in a hospital

Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. President born in a hospital… in 1924. Prior presidents were born at home… according to NPR.

Local labor law facing repeal for Capitol project

For 75 years state building projects have favored “bona fide” Idaho workers. This “Idaho First” law has not been enforced in recent memory, and a bill now before the Legislature aims to exempt the largest building project in the state – the restoration and expansion of the Capitol – from the requirement.

iSTARS lite, Crapo on Craig & Gangs

ew teacher merit pay plan is out, eliminating the tradeoff in teacher contracts. Companion bills would eliminate some steps in firing teachers. But merit pay would still be largely dependent on test scores, something the teachers’ union opposes.

Sen. Crapo told an Idaho Falls crowd that Sen. Craig is getting along fine with his colleagues and that the Senate Ethics Committee jumped the gun. In other news, Craig moved to file an enlarged brief Tuesday.

A quiet Treasure Valley program is putting away gang members in federal prison, Jerome County is all cow all the time and Tamarack filed for bankruptcy… in today’s juicy Newsrack.

New Money, In-state tuition & Death Penalty

Most used metaphor in today’s papers: chopping block. Road funding, payroll, concurrent enrollment, energy center… all on the chopping block as the budget committee gets to work.

Also, a bill to provide undocumented kids with instate tuition is being held up in committee, Karen McGee is stepping down… to spend time with her grandson (at least it’s a specific reason), Fidel Castro also stepping down and college campuses will still be able to ban guns, for now. In today’s Newsrack… [did we mention you could send this email to a few buddies and help them get up to speed with the news every morning too?]

American, British docs split on midwife debate

Last week I wrote my Unda’ the Rotunda column about a midwife licensing bill under consideration in the House. One of the more interesting things I came across in researching the column were the contrasting views of American and British gynos on the topic.

Taxes, State Pay & Politics

On Friday, a joint committee voted for 3 percent pay raises for some state employees, down from the governor’s request of 5. Otter disappointed but encouraging Legislature to use freed up money to fund a scholarship fund he likes. State worker unions also… disappointed. (Not that anyone interviewed them).

While last week’s revenue projections, or predictions were dire, nobody in the Annex has broached the idea of raising new revenue. Like they did just five years ago.

And lots of GOP politicking for Lincoln Day, a few upcoming Democratic announcments, and Newcomb is Stennett’s cancer coach… in today’s Newsrack.

Economy, Sheep & Maps

An announcement Thursday of about $80 million revenue shortfall for 2009 had the governor and lawmakers retooling their priorities. Budgeting work should begin in earnest next week.

Lots of stories this morning on a quickly developed plan to separate bighorn sheep and domestic sheep that could result in the extirpation of more bighorns. Fish and Game is calling it an interim plan, but the issue will likely be resolved in court, not around a table.

Cool new Google Maps hit Boise, mining and gun bills to be edited and workforce housing for Sun Valley… in today’s Newsrack.

Larry Craig, State Pay & Ed Board

The Senate Ethics Committee has chastised Sen. Larry Craig for ethics violations surrounding his June arrest. The decision comes with no penalty and Craig said in a brief statement he is staying put. No reaction yet from Idaho’s other Congressmen.

The House debated a whole bunch of bills yesterday, most of which moved on to the Senate. The Senate Education Committee is holding confirmation of the State Board of Education president hostage until it can get some answers. And state employees are gathering some momentum to oppose Otter’s plan for their health benefits…

In today’s Newsrack. [CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE STORIES. PLEASE.]