Eye On Boise archive for Jan. 2015
SUNDAY, JAN. 11, 2015
Sun., Jan. 11, 2015
Idaho's official Inaugural Ball draws more than 1,500 to the Capitol
More than 1,500 people attended the state's official Inaugural Ball at the state Capitol on Saturday night; read this post for a report and photos from the non-partisan public event...
9th Circuit rejects Otter's request to revisit gay marriage decision 5
In a somewhat anticlimactic ruling, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Friday rejected motions for an en banc review – a reconsideration by a larger, 11-judge panel – of the October ruling overturning bans on same-sex marriage in Idaho and Nevada. Idaho already…
FRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2015
Fri., Jan. 9, 2015
'Idaho Reports' kicks off season tonight
"Idaho Reports" kicks off for the season at 8 tonight on Idaho Public Television, and this week includes an extensive interview with Gov. Butch Otter and a look back at his entire career. The program also reports on events in the run-up to the start…
Of Bibles, politics and family heritage...
Lewiston Tribune reporter Bill Spence turned up this interesting anecdote in his feature story today on the Bibles that Idaho's top state elected officials use to take their oaths of office, including cherished family heirlooms: Gov. Butch Otter used his late father's Bible, which he…
Idaho ranks 46th among states in latest Education Week rankings 1
Education Week has released new rankings of states on education, and Idaho came in 46th overall with a grade of D-plus, reports Idaho Education News. The state's worst rankings were No. 50 out of 51 for early education, an F; and No. 49, also an...
Otter strikes defiant tone in third inaugural address 5
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter struck a defiant tone in his third inaugural address today, declaring, "We stand for what's right, here in Idaho." You can read my full story here at spokesman.com. "Where we draw the line is having others' views imposed on us as…
Stage is set for inaugural festivities
The 25th Army Band is playing, the seats are set up and the stage is set for Idaho's official inaugural ceremony, which kicks off at noon today on the steps of the state Capitol. Idaho Gov. Butch Otter will be giving his third inaugural address…
December state revenues beat forecasts, state in 'an era of stability'
Preliminary figures show December state tax collections beat forecasts, legislative budget director Cathy Holland-Smith told lawmakers on the joint Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee this morning. A new forecast will be out next week, but compared to the last forecast from August, that puts...
THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 2015
Thu., Jan. 8, 2015
State workers tell of qualifying for welfare, a raise that amounted to $34 for the year, pay slipping compared to market... 12
More than a dozen state workers have signed up to testify to the Legislature's joint Committee on Change in Employee Compensation this afternoon. Among them: Jake Thibadeau, who has worked as a custodian at Boise State University for the past six years. "We would have...
Legislative leaders on 'instant racing' terminals: 'They sure look like slot machines to me' 3
Idaho legislative leaders say they're concerned about the slot machine-like "instant racing" terminals that have begun cropping up around the state, authorized under a 2013 law aimed at allowing pari-mutuel betting on past horse races. "I think we kind of knew what we were getting…
Transportation funding high on Legislature's agenda 1
Legislative leaders from both parties say improvements to how Idaho funds maintenance of its transportation system are likely to get attention this year. "The citizens of Idaho have invested billions of dollars in to this transportation system," said House Speaker Scott Bedke. "I think we…
Legislative leaders differ on Medicaid expansion prospects, agree more school funding a priority 1
Legislative leaders from both houses and both parties, addressing reporters today at the AP Legislative Preview, all agreed that education funding will be a top priority in this year's legislative session. But they differed on an array of other issues, including the prospects for Medicaid…
Otter on IEN, prison takeover, Medicaid... 2
Other comments from Gov. Butch Otter at this morning's AP Legislative Preview: On the Idaho Education Network: "The only problem that we've had with the IEN was the contracting process." He said a recent survey of school districts gave the broadband network high marks; however,…
Otter: State in 'great shape,' but gov't still will grow slower than economy 4
Gov. Butch Otter is addressing reporters this morning at the Idaho AP Legislative Preview. "Financially speaking, the state is in great shape," he said. "So my budget is going to reflect that." He'll still stick to his promise to try to grow state government at...
Lawmakers kick off hearings on state's economic outlook today
The Idaho Legislature's Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee meets all day today and all morning tomorrow, to hear from an array of business representatives, state officials, university economics professors and more; at issue is the figure on which to base next year's state budget, as some push for tax cuts.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 2015
Wed., Jan. 7, 2015
State Corrections Board Chair Robin Sandy to retire next week 1
Robin Sandy, chair of the Idaho Board of Correction, will retire Jan. 12, she announced today, after 18 years of state service. Sandy served as the Corrections board chair under both Govs. Butch Otter and Jim Risch, and served on the Idaho Commission of Pardons…
Sen. Davis to head up international panel for Council of State Governments
Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, has been named co-chair of the Council of State Governments' International Committee for 2015, along with Alaska Sen. Gary Stevens. Davis was CSG's national chair in 2009. The organization's International Committee tracks international trends of importance to state…
New state contract oversight rules could come with exemptions 3
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — New rules seeking to tighten oversight on Idaho's multi-million dollar contracts have yet to be approved by state lawmakers but officials have already set up an opt-out process to exempt agencies from the...
TUESDAY, JAN. 6, 2015
Tue., Jan. 6, 2015
Labrador backs Boehner for speaker this time 1
Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador joined in the majority vote for Rep. John Boehner to continue as speaker of the House, as did Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson; but two years ago, Labrador voted against Boehner for speaker "The votes were simply not there to defeat the...
Crapo named chief deputy Senate majority whip
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo has been named chief deputy majority whip in the Senate for its upcoming session, a position similar to one he held in the last Congress, except that this time, his Republican Party is in the majority. Crapo said in a statement…
Idaho tribes call 'instant racing' machines an 'illegal hoax'
The chairmen of four Idaho Indian tribes are calling on the state's governor and Attorney General to end the spread of so-called "instant racing" betting machines – like those at the Greyhound Park in Post Falls and Les Bois Park near Boise – saying they…
School districts to get guidance on whether to apply for e-rate $$ themselves 1
Will Goodman, state Superintendent of Schools Sherri Ybarra's new technology director, asked about the Idaho Education Network mess, said, "Right now we're waiting to see the outcome of the lawsuit, and the last appeal the governor's office has made. … We're here to support the…
Ybarra: State ed department will be the 'go-to place' 1
New state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra is holding her first press conference today, at which she introduced her executive staff. In addition to interim Chief Deputy Pete Koehler, Special Assistant to the Superintendent Tim Corder, and Special Education Director Charlotte "Charlie" Silva, she introduced Will...
Federal judge gives go-ahead to Snake River dredging
A federal judge has cleared the way for dredging on the lower Snake River to start as planned next week, the Lewiston Tribune reports today. U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle ruled Monday against a request from the Nez Perce Tribe and a coalition…
Otter hires Goedde to work on IEN project through 2015 legislative session 3
Former longtime Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene has been hired by Gov. Butch Otter to work on the Idaho Education Network project through this year's legislative session, the Coeur d'Alene Press reports today. Goedde has a flat-fee $4,000-a-month contract with the…