All 2009 Legislative & Political News
Idaho conservation leader headed to D.C. for clean energy summit Idaho Conservation League Program Director Justin Hayes will participate in Friday's Clean Energy Economy Forum in Washington D.C., hosted by Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Idaho governor warns more cuts ahead Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said the state government may be scaled back in size to where it was five years ago, but details about such cuts won't be released until he gives his State of the State speech in early January.
Idaho congressman's bill would reimburse veterans for travel costs Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick wants the federal government to reimburse veterans for travel expenses if they have to travel more than 150 miles for treatment at a Veterans Administration hospital or clinic.
Former Idaho Sen. Craig warns cattlemen to stay vigilant Former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig spoke at the Idaho Cattle Association's annual conference in Sun Valley on Tuesday, where he warned attendees that federal legislation, such as the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act, were being interpreted differently than they were intended, and that ranchers needed to stay involved to keep their place on the range.
Idaho congressman wants more focus for federal training programs Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick and other House Democrats are proposing legislation that would reform federal workforce training programs to focus on training and education that puts workers on paths to "careers in the 21st century economy."
Former Alaska governor to sign books in Idaho on Dec. 10 On Dec. 10, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will sign copies of her new book, "Going Rogue," at a Fred Meyer store in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Idaho governor, ranchers dispute slickspot peppergrass listing The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to list slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum), a rare flowering plant found in southwest Idaho's desert and other areas of the state, as threatened on Dec. 7, a decision that is being fought by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and the Idaho ranchers who helped develop the state's "candidate species conservation plan" for the plant that received federal approval.
Former transportation director files gender-bias lawsuit against Idaho Pam Lowe, Idaho's first-ever female transportation director who lost her job in July, sued the state of Idaho last week, alleging that she had lost her job because she resisted political pressure on awarding contracts, and on Monday, she revised her lawsuit to include allegations of gender bias.
In Idaho congressional race, Roberts out, Labrador in Just 90 minutes after Idaho state Rep. Ken Roberts announced Tuesday he would not seek the Republican Party's nomination in the state's 1st District congressional race, GOP Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle said he would make a formal announcement of his candidacy next week.
Montana governor, PSC official tangle over transmission line to Idaho Montana Public Service Commission Brad Molnar wants Gov. Brian Schweitzer to provide all computer records on the proposed Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI), a 430-mile transmission line from southwest Montana into Idaho, and the governor's office said they're willing to provide the records as soon as Molnar coughs up the cash to pay for the search.
Group names Idaho senator 'river champion' Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo's Owyhee Canyonlands bill protected 16 rivers in that area as Wild and Scenic, and American Rivers named the Idaho Republican a "river champion" for his work.
Booted Idaho Transportation official cites political cronyism Idaho Transportation Director Pam Lowe was fired on July 31, and the wrongful termination lawsuit she is filing today against the state alleges that she was fired because of her unwillingness to send contracts and funding to politically connected companies.
Idaho's budget woes slice through natural-resource agencies The latest round of general-fund holdbacks announced by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter hit the state's natural resource agencies particularly hard, with the Idaho Department of Water Resources losing 16 jobs and a hiring freeze leaving 11 other positions open.
Voters in 3 Idaho counties reject jail bond measures Measures on the ballots in Kootenai, Jerome and Canyon counties in Idaho to build or expand jail facilities all failed on Tuesday.
Streetcar plan an issue in Idaho city's election Across the nation, cities are competing for federal stimulus funds to build out streetcar systems, and the issue has become one in contention in several mayoral races, including in Boise, Idaho.
Defenders of Wildlife take Idaho, Montana wolf hunts to NYC Defenders of Wildlife is running an ad campaign in Times Square in New York City to get the word out about the wolf hunts allowed in Montana and Idaho.
AP analysis finds stimulus-created jobs overcounted The Associated Press reviewed data from the first reports filed on federal stimulus spending, and found that the federal government overstated by thousands the number of jobs created or saved with federal stimulus funds, including in Colorado, where Englewood-based Tele Tech Government Solutions said 4,231 jobs were created, a figure that has been downsized to fewer than 1,000.
New Yorker challenges Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo William Bryk, a bankruptcy attorney from Brooklyn, N.Y., has filed to run as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Crapo in 2010, and Idaho law will allow him to do that as long as Bryk is a resident of Idaho on the day of the November general election in 2010; Bryk has a history of running for office at various levels of government in various states.
Scofflaw bidder on Utah leases wants Andrus, Hansen to testify Tim DeChristopher, the University of Utah student who bid and won 14 energy leases in Utah at a Bureau of Land Management auction in December, is claiming his bogus bids were a volley in the fight against climate change, and has listed former Interior Secretary and Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus and NASA climate scientist James Hansen, who have been warning about greenhouse gases and climate change for decades, as expert witnesses.
West's transmission capacity topic of discussion at Wyo. conference At the Western States Energy and Environment Symposium in Wyoming, representatives agreed that the region needs expanded transmission capacity to accommodate new renewable energy projects, and that getting those transmission lines built is proving to be nearly impossible.
Change to gun policy in national parks broader than envisioned Several National Park Service employees and legal experts said the change in gun policy in national parks signed into law this year by President Obama and set to take effect Feb. 1 was broadened by a rider Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn attached to credit card legislation to include anyone who visits a national park or wildlife refuge, not just those who have concealed weapons permits, and in Wyoming, that means anyone who visits a park can carry a gun openly.
Idaho U.S. Rep. Minnick collects $290K for re-election run A Federal Election Commission report filed Thursday by U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick said that the Idaho Democrat had raised $290,000 for his re-election campaign; GOP contenders Vaughn Ward and Ken Roberts said they have raised $110,000 and $54,920 respectively.
Idaho community fights subdivision on former golf course The residents of Pleasant Valley who bought their homes around the Pleasant Valley Golf Course more than a decade ago, said they did not trust developer Carl Feldhusen and told Scott Allen, a senior planner with The Land Group, and two Realtors from Magic Valley Realty, that they did not want houses built on what was the back 9 holes of the Idaho golf course, and that they wanted the course restored.
Idaho spends $12.8M in federal stimulus funds, creating 492 jobs In a report filed with the federal government, Idaho agencies reported spending $12.8 million in federal stimulus funds and that 492 jobs have been created so far with the money.
Idaho lawmakers hear grave message about budget At a meeting Wednesday of the Idaho Senate and House Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, state legislators heard that despite recent, additional budget cuts the state is still facing a $40 million budget deficit.
NRA asks Montana court to let it into wolf-delisting lawsuit The National Rifle Association filed documents in federal court in Montana last week asking that the group be allowed to join the lawsuit regarding the removal of wolves from the federal Endangered Species list, alleging that if the 13 conservation groups fighting the species delisting are successful, NRA members will be deprived of their right to hunt and enjoy recreational opportunities in Montana and Idaho "due to the threat to themselves, their pets and their prey from problem wolves."
Idaho's federal lawmakers open up about their insurance coverage With the national focus on health care and the cost of medical insurance, Idaho's congressional delegation released the details of their coverage - which is not, as rumors would have it, free.
Idaho governor to tour Magic Valley this week Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter will tour the Hilex Poly Co. plant in Jerome on Wednesday; address the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon that day; and end his visit to the Magic Valley with a visit to the Jerome High School Library to see a demonstration of a new seismograph.
Groups: Obama administration's salmon plan contains nothing new Oregon, the Nez Perce Tribe, conservation groups and salmon fishermen filed formal responses to the Obama administration's plan for saving threatened and endangered salmon that criticized the plan for not taking immediate action to help salmon, such as increasing water releases from Columbia River dams at times when young fish are migrating downstream.
Anti-nuclear group in Idaho celebrates 3 decades of work The Snake River Alliance was formed in 1979 to watch over the activities at what is now the Idaho National Laboratory, with the Alliance's first campaign focused on preventing the U.S. Department of Energy from injecting waste into the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer.
Jarvis: NPS has no plan to ban lead ammo in parks Jon Jarvis, the new head of the National Park Service, said an announcement earlier this year that has lead to confusion about the agency's stance on lead bullets and fishing tackle was simply a statement that agency personnel would no longer use them, and said education efforts could go a long way to get hunters and anglers to switch to copper alternatives.
Napolitano announces new policy on detaining immigrants Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced new policies on detaining immigrants on Tuesday, including finding alternatives for detaining immigrants who pose no danger to the public.
Idaho counties hire former senator's firm to lure federal prison New West Strategies, a consulting firm formed by former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, has been hired by Cassia and Minidoka counties to help the Idaho counties in their bid to get a federal prison built near Malta.
Idaho senator questions findings of study on restoring Amtrak route Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, who along with Sen. Ron Wyden, pressed for a feasibility study of restoring Amtrak service along the Pioneer Route through southern Idaho and eastern Oregon, is now questioning the results of the study that found the route would always operate at a loss because experts told him that the numbers in the report were vague and relied upon outdated data.
Idaho man wants law changed to allow aerial shooting of wolves An Idaho sheep rancher flying a motorized parachute and firing at a pack of wolves in a 160-acre sheep pen owned by state Sen. Jeff Siddoway in June violated Idaho law, but he was never charged as no dead wolves were found; Sen. Siddoway said he intends to introduce legislation next year that would allow wolves to be shot from the air.
Simpson gets funds for Idaho projects inserted into Energy bill Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson said he believed an appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers containing $1 million for Boise to expand its geothermal system; $3.9 million for Corps projects in rural Idaho communities, and $1.5 million for medical isotope research at Idaho State University will be approved by Congress later this week.
Senate panel quizzes USFS nominee Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee asked Harris Sherman, the Colorado man nominated to oversee the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, on rural development, climate change and roadless areas on Wednesday, but did not vote on approving his nomination.
Vilsack: Idaho cities got urban forest cash too Last week, Idaho and Wyoming senators sharply criticized the U.S. Forest Service for spending "wildland fire management" cash in Washington, D.C. parks, but Tuesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was in Boise, and he explained that the $500 million listed under wildland fire management in the federal stimulus law was actually split evenly between fuels-reduction work and state and local programs to improve forest ecosystems, including urban parks.
Idaho lawmakers could have dam study results in hand next session Idaho legislators could have the results of a study on raising Minidoka Dam by five feet in time for the 2010 legislative session; the proposal is just one of several projects under consideration to raise water storage capacity in the state.
Wyoming lawmakers angered by redirection of fire funds to D.C. parks The U.S. Forest Service rerouted $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds for "Wildland Fire Management" to Washington Parks & People, a D.C.-based nonprofit, which will get $2.7 million of the money to restore urban parks; the remaining $90,000 will fund "a green summer job corps" to employ 100 teens.
Idaho senator offers 4 amendments to health care legislation U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, introduced four amendments to health care legislation currently under debate in the Senate, including one that would limit the amount states would have to pay in higher Medicaid costs.
Idaho task force digs for new ways to pay for parks, police After the Idaho Legislature and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter cobbled together a funding package to address the state's crumbling road system that included shifting $21 million in fuel tax revenue from the Idaho State Police and Department of Parks and Recreation to the Idaho Transportation Department beginning next year, a task force was appointed to find new ways to replace that parks and police money.
Roll Call ranks Idaho Sen. Risch 13th richest in Congress A newspaper that covers Capitol Hill released its rankings of the 50 wealthiest members of the Senate and House combined, with Colorado Congressman Jared Polis ranked sixth, the highest ranking of Rocky Mountain West lawmakers; U.S. Rep. Harry Teague of New Mexico ranked 10th; and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho ranked 13th.
U.S. Senate panel OKs $26M for Idaho defense, military projects Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch pushed for defense and weapons-related funding for the state, and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved about $26 million in funding for the state, a step that nearly ensures the projects will be funded.
Outside media glare, Idaho laboratory nabs chunk of stimulus cash Idaho will get $182 million in federal stimulus funds for transportation projects, but the state's biggest chunk of stimulus bucks, $468 million, is headed to Idaho National Laboratory for nuclear cleanup projects.
Most students in Idaho's Treasure Valley tune in to president's speech Only a handful of students in Idaho's Treasure Valley opted out of watching President Obama's speech to students on Tuesday.
Idaho lets school districts make call on Obama speech Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said school districts can decide if they want students to watch President Obama's national broadcast to students on Tuesday, and that parents should let teachers know if they'd prefer their children not watch the broadcast.
Idaho's revenues running short of projections Based on new projections released Thursday, Idaho could face a $151-million budget shortfall over the next ten months, much higher than originally forecast, and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter plans to meet with legislative leaders the week of Sept. 14 to discuss ways to cut costs.
Rammell holds press conference in Idaho to explain 'Obama' remark At a press conference called by Idaho Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell to elaborate on comments he made last week indicating he would buy "Obama tags," Rammell refused to apologize for the comment, saying he was joking and it was taken out of context.
Hearing draws wolf advocates, opponents to Montana city While U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy heard from both sides of the wolf debate inside a Montana courtroom on Monday, about 30 people rallied outside the Missoula courthouse to show their support for a hunt.
Idaho, Washington nuclear sites wary about Yucca Mountain decision As the Obama administration and Nevada Sen. Harry Reid continue their march to shut down the plan to build a national nuclear waste repository in Yucca Mountain, officials of the Idaho National Laboratory and the Hanford nuclear complex in Washington state are concerned that their sites may be the alternative.
Hazardous-waste firm says Idaho nonprofit a shill for EnergySolutions Steve Romano, president and CEO of American Ecology Corp., a Boise-based hazardous waste company, said that Steve Loosli and his group, Citizens for a Clean Idaho, and a consulting company called kosphre are secretly backed by Utah-based EnergySolutions, and that the Utah company is using the Idaho nonprofit to prevent Ramono's company from storing low-level hazardous waste at its facility in Idaho's Owyhee County, a charge EnergySolutions has denied.
Idaho Republicans respond to Rammell's Obama remark Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt all condemned Rex Rammell, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, for making a remark about "Obama tags."
Idaho in an uproar over Rammell's "Obama tags" comment Idaho Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell's response Tuesday night at the annual Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee to a question about "Obama tags," drew sharp criticism from Democrats in the state, to which Republicans have responded that the response was a joke and that everyone knew Rammell was joking.
GOP challenger criticizes Idaho governor for not buying wolf tag Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said that he'd be first in line to buy a wolf tag when the species was taken off the endangered species list earlier this year, but the Republican governor hasn't yet purchased a tag, an omission his Republican challenger, Rex Rammell, said reflects a pattern with the governor of making promises and not delivering on those pledges.
Idaho legislators warn some state agencies will be eliminated As Idaho lawmakers struggle to address the state's growing deficit and dropping revenues, some are warning that instead of cutting agencies to the bone, those agencies may simply be eliminated.
Advocates, opponents of Idaho wolf hunt to gather Friday Both foes and advocates of a proposed wolf hunt in Idaho will descend upon the Idaho Fish and Game office in Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
Governor: Montana stands ready to fight over wolf hunts Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said the federal government will have a fight on its hands if U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy decides to put wolves in Idaho and Montana back on the endangered species list - effectively stopping wolf hunts in those states.
Report urges Western states to cooperate on transmission lines A new report issued by the law firm Holland & Hart, "Transmission Siting in the Western United States," says Western states should work together to address the woefully inadequate electricity transmission grid in their region.
Wolf tags on sale in Idaho Idaho began selling wolf tags Monday for a hunt planned to start in some areas of the state on Sept. 1.
Idaho governor wants to revive bighorn sheep panel After Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed legislation this year that required the state Department of Fish and Game to work with sheep producers to develop a plan to keep domestic and bighorn sheep from mingling, the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Conservation League and the Wild Sheep Foundation said the law nixed collaboration and dropped out of the state's Idaho Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Working Group; but now Otter wants them to return to the panel.
Obama's actions may erode Democrats' hold on the West Barack Obama won Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado in last year's presidential race, and since 2000, Democrats have taken additional Senate and U.S. House seats in the eight Western states that don't border the Pacific Ocean, but the party is concerned that Obama's energy bill, the federal stimulus programs and the effort to reform health care may erode those gains.
Old Faithful sticks to schedule on Obama visit to Yellowstone The Obama family took a tour of Yellowstone National Park on Saturday that included a helicopter flight to Old Faithful, which erupted almost right on schedule for the White House family.
Idaho governor says he'll run for re-election Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter told KPVI-TV that he intends to run for re-election in 2010, but the Republican governor said he'll wait on making a formal announcement.
Idaho senator fears politics could nix Areva's uranium facility Idaho U.S. Sen. Jim Risch said he's concerned about recent decisions made by the Department of Energy on a proposal to build a uranium-enrichment plant in Ohio, because he fears the federal agency may favor the project in the political heavyweight state over Areva's plan to build just such a facility in Idaho.
Idaho senator takes Amtrak plan to Pocatello U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo has worked with federal lawmakers from Oregon and Utah for years to get Amtrak's Pioneer Route, which ran from Chicago to Seattle via southern Idaho until 1997, restarted, and the Idaho senator is meeting with local officials this week to talk about the Pioneer Route, including a meeting Thursday in Pocatello.
National group gives N.M. poor grade for tracking stimulus spending New Mexico has two web sites dedicated to tracking how that state is spending federal stimulus funds, but a recent report by the national policy resource center, GoodJobsFirst, gives the state low marks for providing good information about such spending.
Land for toxic soil dump hard to find in Idaho valley The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality looked at 300 possible locations for storing toxic waste pulled from former mining sites in the Silver Valley, and selected the 23-acre East Mission Flats location because there was a fair amount of pollution already present, but the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, area mayors and other groups are protesting that decision.
Idaho legislators may backtrack on road funding decision In order to end an impasse with Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, the 2009 Legislature agreed to shift about $4.5 million in funds for trail work to the state transportation department for road work, but now members of a legislative task force are reconsidering that decision.
Energy focus of GOP governors' gathering in Idaho Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said that a roundtable discussion of Republican governors who gathered in Sun Valley Sunday and Monday focused on new energy development, the Waxman-Markey legislation, and efforts to educate consumers about the true cost of energy.
President, family will visit Yellowstone National Park this week President Barack Obama is scheduled to host a town hall meeting in Bozeman, Mont., later this week, and he and his family plan to take some time to visit Yellowstone National Park.
Senate confirms Nevada man to BLM post The U.S. Senate confirmed Bob Abbey's nomination to lead the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday.
Nuclear-plant developer may move project out of Idaho's Elmore Co. In a press release Thursday Alternate Energy Holdings Inc. CEO Don Gillispie said that delays he's encountered in Elmore County on getting permits for his proposed nuclear power plant may force him to move the project elsewhere in Idaho, but state officials quickly released a counter press release denying that the state had offered a parcel of state land for the project.
Western Democrats meet in Idaho The Democratic National Committee's Western Regional Conference begins today at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Hotel, the first time the regional group has met in Idaho.
Idaho FWP official says wolf hunt will go forward, one way or another At a gathering Monday of attorneys general from Western states, Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Randy Budge said that if the state doesn't set up a wolf hunt this fall, he believes many Idaho hunters will take matters into their own hands and hunt the wolves illegally.
Idaho governor allocates funds for children's vaccinations After budget concerns forced Idaho Health and Welfare to cancel a program that provided childhood vaccinations, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter ordered $2.1 million transferred from the state's rainy day fund to cover the costs of the program through January of next year.
Washington congressman's bill proposes breaching dams for salmon The bill submitted last week by U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, along with 24 co-sponsors, isn't the first legislation the Washington state congressman has sponsored on salmon recovery, but this version is the first that gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to breach the four Lower Snake River dams.
Idaho congressmen join opposition in health-care debate Idaho U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick oppose the health-care reform legislation currently under consideration because they said it will raise taxes too much and do too little to fix the problems.
Kempthorne reviews his years in Idaho leadership roles Former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is spending some of his retirement time reviewing documents accumulated during his years as governor for inclusion in the state's archives.
Idaho governor stands firm on public-lands transfers Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who also sits on the state Land Board, told a committee of real estate professionals charged with updating rules for transfers of state endowment land that eliminating transparency of such transactions was a non-starter and said those transfers must also remain subject to the state's Public Records Act.
Idaho governor grooms second-in-command to take lead Over the past year, there have been five successions in state government that put the second-in-command in the governor's seat, including Arizona where Secretary of State Jan Brewer moved into the governor's slot, and another such succession is in the works in Utah, and in Idaho, Lt. Gov. Brad Little said Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, is keeping him in the loop in case he should ever need to make that move.
Idaho fires head of transportation department Pam Lowe refused to resign as director of the Idaho Transportation Department when asked to do so in May, and on Thursday the Idaho Transportation Board fired her. No reason was given.
Otter: DOE should have told him Idaho was on list of mercury sites Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he was angry that he learned from a newspaper article that the Department of Energy was considering the Idaho National Laboratory as one of seven potential storage sites for the nation's 17,000 tons of mercury.
Idaho congressman has $481,000 in campaign cash Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick reported $481,000 in campaign cash, while Republican Vaughn Ward has raised $105,000 in his quest for the GOP nomination in the congressional race.
Idaho GOP county commissioner announces gubernatorial run Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman announced Tuesday that she will seek the Republican Party's nomination in the Idaho gubernatorial race in 2010.
NPS veterans, conservationists laud Jarvis' nomination President Obama's nomination of Jay Jarvis, who has spent 30 years working for the National Park Service, to head up that federal agency received kudos from National Park Service personnel as well as conservation groups.
Wyoming senator rebuts Salazar's testimony on mining-law reform After Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that it was time to overhaul the General Mining Act of 1872 to ensure a fair rate of return for the public for mining activities on federal lands, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso said such an overhaul would cripple his state's uranium and bentonite mining industries.
Salazar first witness at Senate hearing on mining-law reform The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee begins hearing testimony on a bill proposed by New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman designed to revamp the 1872 Mining Law and legislation on reclaiming abandoned mines proposed by California Sen. Diane Feinstein.
Waxman-Markey bill gives FERC siting authority on power lines One of the many amendments shoveled into the Waxman-Markey legislation, the House-passed climate change and energy bill that is now before the Senate, gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission final authority over the siting of transmission lines in the Western states.
Obama nominates veteran Park Service director to head department Jon Jarvis, current director of the National Park Service's Pacific West Region and previous superintendent of parks in Idaho, Washington and Alaska, was nominated Friday by President Obama to be the next head of the Park Service.
Idaho senator sets virtual town hall meeting next Wednesday Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo said energy, health care and any other issue his constituents want to talk about will be discussed during his Internet town hall meeting set for next Wednesday evening.
Idaho to host U.S.-Canada summit next week Business and government leaders from Canada and the United States will meet next week in Boise for the 19th annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a group that coordinates planning and policy between western Canada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Idaho senator: Senate OKs $300K for Owyhee Canyonlands Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo announced Tuesday that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $300,000 for the creation and operation of the Rangeland Ecosystems Dynamics Program for the Owyhee Canyonlands in fiscal year 2010.
Former Idaho legislator lays groundwork for gubernatorial run Jana Kemp, a former Idaho state Republican lawmaker, filed the preliminary paperwork necessary to launch her gubernatorial run as an independent.
Idaho lawmakers to tag along with Land Boards on Snake River trip The Idaho Lands Board commissioners plan to take a walk around the 2.6 acres of Snake River frontage north of Buhl that a Washington couple have asked the state to transfer to them; state Reps. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, and Donna Pence, D-Gooding, said they'll go along just to see the site and learn more about the process, which the Board has used to transfer more than 500 acres of land out of public ownership to private hands since 2006.
Western lawmakers fuel hope for Idaho 'downwinders' Victims of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests performed in the Nevada desert in the 1950s and 1960s fear that they may die before the federal government extend coverage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to them, but Idaho Republican Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Montana Democratic Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus are on their side, sponsoring legislation to extend the act's reach to fallout victims in Idaho and Montana.
After decade of battle with Idaho, Rexburg man wants to be governor Rex Rammell fought with the state of Idaho over his elk ranch for a decade, finally losing the battle and his ranch, and now the Rexburg man is running for governor of the state.
Report faults western states' spending of stimulus funds for roads The national Smart Growth America group released a report this week that took a state-by-state review of federal stimulus funds on transportation projects and found most western states were spending too much on new roads and not enough on clearing up the backlog of maintenance projects.
Idaho governor will name interim water director next week The search for a successor to retiring Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Dave Tuthill will take "as long as it takes to get the right person," according to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's office, although an interim director is expected to be named as early as next week.
Senate panel approves federal fund for wolf-kill payments Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch support legislation recently approved by a Senate committee that would establish a $1-million federal fund to compensate ranchers in Idaho and Montana for livestock lost to wolves; the measure must still be approved by the full Senate and the House.
A laundry list of new laws take effect in Idaho Wednesday On July 1, Idaho workers can haul their guns to work and leave them in their vehicles; unlicensed payday loan operations won't be able to take their debtors to court and borrowers have a legal right to take such businesses to court and recover money paid to them; and boaters will have to buy an invasive species sticker before launching their watercraft in any Idaho lake or river.
U.S. turns its attention to saving the unlovely species as well Ten of the fifteen species in the United States that have been deemed "recovered" since the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973 are the type that look good on a T-shirt: wolves, grizzly bears and bald eagles, and those species often garnered the lion's share of funding and effort to save them, but times are changing, and even the homely species are getting a boost away from the brink of extinction.
Idaho county faces deadline on vehicle-emissions plan Under a law passed by the 2008 Idaho Legislature, counties in the state must have a plan to reduce vehicle emissions in place in time to get the plan approved by the 2010 Legislature, and Canyon County is mulling which of the three options it will choose: start its own vehicle testing program, put an alternate plan in place that will achieve the goals, or allow the state to run emissions testing.
New Western Caucus picks Wyoming senator as chairman Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso was selected to head the newly formed Western Caucus, a group of Republican lawmakers from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Nebraska and Kansas, as well as Louisiana.
Tribes monitor national heath-care debate carefully Under a 1787 treaty, the federal government is required to provide American Indians living on reservations with free health care, and tribal officials across the nation are monitoring the current effort to reform the nation's health-care system to see how the overhaul might affect that centuries-old agreement.
Senate panel to hear 1872 mining law revamp on July 14 The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing on New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman's bill to revamp the General Mining Act of 1872 on July 14.
Montana, Idaho senators team up on bill to expand RECA Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, along with Montana's two Democratic senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, are sponsoring legislation to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include all of Idaho and Montana; the federal law already provides compensation to residents of Arizona, Nevada and Utah who lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site on the 1950s and 1960s, when nuclear weapons were tested above ground.
Idaho senator, congressman oppose Clean Water Act changes Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said legislation currently before the U.S. Senate to change wording in the Clean Water Act to replace "navigable waters" with "waters of the United States," is nothing less than a monumental government land grab, and he, along with Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, oppose the bill.
USFS personnel in Idaho applaud Tidwell appointment Tom Tidwell, who is now the head of the U.S. Forest Service, spent some time in Idaho, where former co-workers this week voiced their approval of Tidwell's appointment to lead the agency.
GOP senators from Utah, Wyoming Idaho form new Western Caucus Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett of Utah, along with Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso and Idaho Sen. Jim Risch announced the formation of a new Western caucus on Wednesday, with the stated mission of relaxing government's grip on the West's natural resources and land.
Newly uncovered 2007 report: Idaho drivers subsidize trucking fees The Spokane Spokesman-Review reports that Idaho's car and truck owners pay 10 percent more in fees than they should, while truckers underpay by about 10 percent and leave regular motorists to subsidize trucking fees, according to a report the Washington paper obtained using an Idaho public records law.
Idaho governor will take his time on transportation decisions Idaho Gov. Butch Otter may not address state highway funding in the 2010 Legislature, and instead hold off on releasing the findings of his 15-member transportation task force until December 2010 in order to avoid the kind of fruitless battles that marked the 2008 and 2009 legislative sessions.
Oregon's salmon debate may be shifting The debate surrounding salmon species and breaching hydroelectric dams on Oregon's rivers may be changing now that Democrats control Congress and the White House and one of breaching's biggest opponents retired, but conservationists hoping for free-flowing rivers still face tough opposition and a slew of unanswered questions.
Obama's environmental decisions baffle supporters Rather than swoop in and roll back policy decisions made by the outgoing Bush administration, President Barack Obama is allowing some environmental lawsuits to play out in the courts, a strategy his administration said will lead to better long-term policies; however, environmental groups aren't quite sure what to make of this strategy in cases involving mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, management of federal roadless forest lands, and energy development on Colorado's Roan Plateau.
Idaho senator promises to filibuster Clean Water legislation Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo is among the Republican minority who oppose legislation to revamp the federal Clean Water Act to address Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 that limited the authority of the act, and after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved the bill on a 12-7 party-line vote on Thursday, Crapo said he would filibuster the bill.
Groups press Idaho lawmakers to rework recreation fund structure Under a deal struck this legislative session, the 3 percent share of gas-tax revenue the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation gets for trail maintenance and other amenities used by motorized and nonmotorized trail users in the state will be reallocated to the highway department, and lawmakers will begin meetings on June 30 to find a new source of funding for Parks and Recreation.
Head of U. of Idaho veterinary center on leave of absence While the University of Idaho conducts its investigation into why the results of research done in 1994 linking disease in domestic sheep to bighorn sheep weren't made public until just recently, Marie Bulgin, the head of the University of Idaho's Caine Veterinary Teaching Center in Caldwell, who had told state legislators this past session that there was no documented proof of such disease transmission, will be on leave.
Idaho governor launches economic 'Project 60' campaign At the Idaho's Association of Commerce and Industry meeting Tuesday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter outlined his Project 60 project, a development plan to boost the state's economy by 18 percent to $60 billion.
Second GOP candidate announces run for Idaho congressional seat Republican Ken Roberts, the Idaho House Majority Caucus, announced he will run in the 2010 Republican Primary for the congressional seat now held by Democrat Walt Minnick.
Utah Lt. Gov. Herbert has reservations about climate change Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert didn't hear Energy Secretary Steven Chu's presentation on climate change at the Western Governors' Association annual meeting on Monday, and the Utah governor-in-waiting said he's still waiting for substantive science to prove climate change is real.
Utah governor opens Western governors' meeting in Park City On Sunday, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. opened the 25th Western Governors' Association in Park City, and then handed over the remainder of the chairman's duties to Vice Chairman Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who will carry on Huntsman's agenda that includes water and climate concerns, while Huntsman prepared to head east to D.C. to continue briefings to prepare for Senate confirmation hearings on his appointment as ambassador to China.
Water issues take top billing at Western governors conference Several members of the Obama administration's cabinet are attending the three-day Western Governors' Association conference that kicked off Sunday in Park City, Utah, where the agenda focused on climate change and water issues.
Enviro groups say Coloradan a candidate for USDA undersecretary Environmental groups said Harris Sherman, the director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, is apparently being considered by President Obama for the post of U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary in charge of the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and cited Sherman's role in drafting Colorado's roadless plan as a reason for their opposition.
University of Idaho scientist under investigation for bighorn research The University of Idaho is investigating whether the head of its veterinary teaching and research center withheld a 1994 study that indicates bighorn sheep can contract diseases from domestic sheep, a contentious issue in a state that has struggled to decide if it should allow domestic sheep grazing on bighorn range land.
Opposition to Montana-Idaho power line grows At a meeting Thursday night in Butte, the head of the "Move MSTI" association, said that membership in the group that opposes all three proposed routes of a NorthWestern transmission line that will run between Townsend, Mont., to Twin Falls, Idaho, is growing.
Group says U of Idaho found bighorn disease link in 1994 Jon Marvel, the head of Idaho-based Western Watersheds Project, criticized Marie Bulgin, head of the university's Caine Veterinary Teaching and Research Center, for not publicizing the results of tests done on bighorn sheep in 1994 that died from pneumonia soon after mingling with domestic sheep that indicated the parasites that caused the disease in the wild sheep were biochemically identical to bacteria found in the domestic sheep.
Idaho holds the line on water releases for downstream interests While Idaho U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and other state officials have softened their stance somewhat on the issue of breaching dams on the lower Snake River to improve wild salmon numbers, they said they will not entertain any discussion of running more water out of the Snake River in Idaho to improve conditions downstream.
Idaho agencies must hire legal workers for stimulus projects Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed an executive order requiring state agencies to prove that they employ only legally documented workers before the agencies can tap into the $1.24 billion in federal economic stimulus money.
Simplot to lay off mine, plant workers in Idaho J.R. Simplot Co. officials said environmental challenges that halted plans to expand its phosphate mine near the Idaho-Wyoming border forced them to lay off 36 workers at its Smoky Canyon mine in Idaho as of Saturday, and 78 workers at its Don fertilizer plant near Pocatello on July 11.
Idaho high court rules Rammell must pay fines for elk-farm violations The Idaho Supreme Court upheld a state district court decision that Rex Rammell, who has recently filed the paperwork necessary to run for governor, must pay $29,000 in fines levied by the state Agriculture Department for elk-farm violations.
Idaho senator: All options in salmon-dam debate are on the table At a meeting Friday of the Northwest Energy Coalition in Boise, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said that in order for the debate about salmon and the effect hydroelectric dams have on the species to be resolved, all options must be on the table, including breaching - or not breaching - those dams.
New rules for travel between U.S., Canada, Mexico in effect today As of June 1, travelers who cross the border from the United States into Canada or Mexico, are required to have either a passport or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant documents, although citizens under the age of 18 can still cross with just a birth certificate; U.S. border agents said they'll be flexible for the first few months on travel document requirements.
Senate panel nears vote on renewable-energy standards After a month of haggling over renewable energy standards, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee appears to be nearing a vote on an energy bill that could require 15 percent of all energy to be produced through renewables.
Idaho gubernatorial candidate files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Rex Rammell, who recently filed to run for the Republican nomination for governor in Idaho in 2010, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for his development business last week, and has put a "spec home" and a four-unit condominium development in Jackson, Wyo., up for sale.
Idaho senators shed dislike of stimulus plan, ask for funds Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch both voted against the massive federal stimulus bill, but now that it's passed, they've lined up $2-billion worth of projects for the state to be funded through that plan, including $475 million to clean up radioactive waste at the Idaho National Laboratory and $1 million to fund sage grouse recovery in the state.
Idaho, Oregon federal lawmakers team up on transit funds Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon will ask U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to funnel $300 million in federal stimulus funds into mass transit projects like Boise's plan to put a streetcar system in place in its downtown.
Idaho's federal lawmakers skeptical about cap-and trade energy bill All four members of Idaho's congressional delegation said they doubted that California U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman's bill that would create a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions would make it through Congress this year.
Guns-in-parks legislation had support of Northwest lawmakers Eleven U.S. House representatives from Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana voted to approve legislation that would allow visitors to national parks to carry loaded guns, while seven House representatives from those states voted against the measure; in the U.S. Senate, eight of the 10 senators from those states approved the measure.
U.S. Senate approves EchoHawk for BIA post On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Larry EchoHawk, a law professor at Utah's Brigham Young University who served as Idaho's Attorney General between 1990 and 1994, as the new head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Former Idaho AG one vote away from BIA post On Thursday, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee voted to back Larry EchoHawk, a Brigham Young University law professor who served as attorney general in Idaho in the early 1990s, to become the next head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; his confirmation faces a final vote before the full U.S. Senate.
Rammell launches gubernatorial run in Idaho Rex Rammell, a former elk rancher in Idaho, announced Wednesday he would seek the Republican nomination for governor; he had earlier announced he would run against Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, who is serving a sixth term as representative of Idaho's 2nd Congressional District.
U.S. Senate, House consider bills to reform 1872 mining law New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman and West Virginia U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall have each sponsored legislation designed to overhaul the General Mining Law was passed in 1872, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has said he is committed to reforming the 137-year-old law.
U.S. Senate passes bill to allow loaded guns in parks The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted 67 to 29 to pass legislation attached as an amendment to an unrelated bill that would overturn a federal law requiring visitors to national parks and wildlife refuges to unload and store their guns.
Congressmen question FDIC's action on Idaho bank Idaho U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick want the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of Thrift Supervision to explain why they moved so quickly to close the First Bank of Idaho and sell the bank's assets to U.S. Bancorp.
Idaho lawmakers scramble to avoid record-breaking session The longest the Idaho Legislature has ever been in session is 118 days, a record set in 2003, and if state lawmakers don't put the finishing touches on the final $50 million transportation funding package and other last-minute bills today, they will meet that record on Saturday.
Arizona senator criticizes BIA nominee on gaming At a hearing Thursday on the confirmation of Larry EchoHawk, a law professor at Brigham Young University in Utah and former attorney general of Idaho, to be the next head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona Sen. John McCain challenged EchoHawk on his position on Indian gaming and said until he got better answers from EchoHawk on the issue, McCain would not vote to confirm him.
USPS reverses decision on airmail route in Idaho's backcountry Pressure from Idaho's congressional delegation and a little schooling on just how remote the 20 backcountry ranches in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness really are helped the U.S. Postal Service decide to reverse an earlier decision and renew the $46,000 annual contract to keep delivery of mail and supplies by air.
Idaho, Wyoming governors protest federal brucellosis plan Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal said the U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposal to make parts of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming a "National Brucellosis Elimination Zone" would unnecessarily taint the cattle industry in those states while doing very little to eliminate the disease that causes pregnant animals to abort.
Idaho governor, Legislature come to terms on road funding Neither Idaho House nor Senate lawmakers, nor Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter got everything they wanted in a bill to raise money to fix Idaho's roads, but they did strike a deal on Wednesday, which may allow the second-longest legislative session in the state's history to end today.
Obama nominates Mississippi man to lead U.S. Forest Service Homer Lee Wilkes, the Mississippi state conservationist, has been nominated by the Obama administration to be undersecretary of Agriculture for natural resources and environment, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service. An article that appeared in the April 29 edition of Headwaters News incorrectly indicated Jay Jensen had been nominated to the post; the subsequent correction posted in the Clark Fork Chronicle was not picked up by Headwaters News, which regrets the omission.
House Republicans blast Northern Rockies wilderness bill At a hearing Tuesday before the House Natural Resources Committee, Republican lawmakers used lines from Carole King's well-known "I Feel the Earth Move" song to blast the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, a bill that would designate nearly 24 million acres across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington as wilderness, a tactic Ms. King, who testified for the bill, dismissed as weak.
Idaho Legislature lumbers toward longest session ever Idaho House lawmakers returned to Boise Monday, where they continued their standoff with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter over funding for roads and raising the gas tax for that money.
Idaho House lawmakers return to Boise today As required under the Idaho Constitution, the Idaho House will rejoin the state Senate in chambers today, after the House voted last week to adjourn but the Senate declined to do so, preferring instead to stay and work with Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on road funding.
Idaho House passes flurry of bills, adjourns Idaho House lawmakers blasted through some of the state's most divisive legislation on Wednesday, including three dozen budget bills and adjourned, but since the state Senate didn't agree to adjourn, House members will have to return to Boise to wrangle again over money for roads.
Utah, other Western governors China-bound for climate talks Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and at least four other Western governors will travel to China next month to meet with officials there to discuss clean-energy technology, and in June, several Chinese officials are expected to attend the Western Governors meeting in Park City.
Obama reverses Bush administration change on species review On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced that federal agencies would once again be required to obtain an independent review of projects that could affect endangered species, rolling back yet another regulation change made late in the Bush administration.
Rural Idahoans give Otter an earful at Tuesday meeting Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter traveled to Midvale to talk about his continuing quest to raise more money for roads, but the Washington County crowd greeted him with accusations that he sold out to the federal government when he vetoed a measure that would have required state wildlife officials to remove or relocate bighorn sheep that wandered onto domestic sheep grazing allotments.
Idaho Senate sends new bighorn sheep bill to House After Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter vetoed a bill that would have required the removal of bighorn sheep from domestic sheep grazing allotments, the Senate passed a new bill that gives the state wildlife department 120 days to come up with a new plan to reduce such conflicts; the measure now moves to the House.
After July 1, Idaho won't pay for insured kids' vaccinations After July 1, only children who aren't covered by insurance, are underinsured, or are eligible for Medicaid in Idaho will be able to get their vaccinations paid for by the state, as funding for the free shots is cut.
Otter's compromise on gas tax fails to excite Idaho lawmakers Idaho House lawmakers said Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed compromise on an increase of the state's gas tax to fund road work didn't appeal to them and said if they can't convince Otter to accept their plan, they'll motor through the remaining bills on their agenda and adjourn today, which would force the governor to call them back if the Senate does not concur with the House's adjournment.
USDA Secretary names Jay Jensen to succeed Rey Jay Jensen, who has served as Executive Director of the Council of Western State Foresters/Western Forestry Leadership Coalition since May 2005, was appointed last week to succeed Mark Rey as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's deputy undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, where he'll have responsibility for the U.S. Forest Service.
Idaho House lawmakers set their sights on Wednesday adjournment Idaho House lawmakers vowed to end the legislative session on Wednesday, but since Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch Otter and the state Senate don't have the additional money they requested for roads, the governor may exercise his right to call the Legislature back.
Idaho House Republicans plot another route for transportation funds The Idaho House Ways and Means Committee rolled out another plan to fund road construction in the state on Friday, adding a five percent increase in registration fees for heavy trucks to an earlier small increase on car registration fees.
Idaho to get $1.7M of Interior's $280M for fish hatcheries, refuges The Department of Interior has about $280 million in federal stimulus funds to spread around the nation for national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries, and Idaho is slated to get $1.7 million of that money.
GOP jumps into Idaho congressional race The National Republican Congressional Committee has made Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick one of its top targets in 2010, and Vaughn Ward of Eagle, who has already landed an endorsement of Arizona Sen. John McCain, is the first Republican contender to announce he's ready to take on the Democratic congressman.
Today is Equal Pay Day at Idaho Legislature After learning that women in Idaho earn 60 percent of what men earn for doing the same job, the Idaho Legislature declared April 28 "Equal Pay Day" and passed a resolution recognizing the problem, and then moved on to end funding for the Idaho Women's Commission, established in 1965 to work on equal pay and employment opportunities for women.
Salazar says tribes will share $500 million in federal stimulus funds At an event in North Dakota on Saturday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced that $500 million of federal stimulus money will go to tribes across the nation for schools, housing, infrastructure improvements and job programs on reservations.
Idaho, Montana senators try again to repeal recreation fee tax Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and Montana Sen. Max Baucus submitted legislation this week to repeal the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), also known as the Recreation Access Tax (RAT) tax.
Compromise bill on wild, domestic sheep before Idaho Legislature The Idaho Legislature has already sent one bill to the governor that would require the state wildlife department to relocate or remove bighorn sheep that roam on to domestic sheep grazing allotments, but now there's another bill before the Legislature that would give the Idaho Fish and Game Department 120 days to come up with a plan to keep wild and domestic sheep apart.
Idaho House Republicans roll out new road funding plan The transportation funding plan proposed by Idaho House Republicans to end the impasse with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter contains four components: ending the tax exemption for ethanol; raising an array of Department of Vehicle fees that have been the same for years; reducing vehicle-age title fee brackets for some vehicles from five to three; and setting up a plan to shift general-tax funds to transportation when state revenues hit a certain level.
Idaho governor signs Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer bill Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter put down his veto stamp and picked up his pen on Thursday, and signed 33 measures into law, including the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer bill, which lays out a plan to recharge the aquifer.
Bighorn advocates say Idaho sheep bill undermines collaboration A panel of environmental, sportsmen and livestock groups put together by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to find ways of keeping domestic and wild sheep from commingling and spreading disease may fall apart if the governor signs a bill that requires the state to relocate or kill bighorn sheep that wander onto domestic sheep grazing allotments.
Election reform part of bargain to end Idaho legislative impasse As the Idaho House and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter continue to wrangle over an increase in the state's gas tax to fund road projects, a bill to limit elections in the state to just two a year is emerging as a bargaining chip.
Idaho governor hammers out another 25 vetoes after gas tax fails After the Idaho House voted down gas tax and fee increases, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter vetoed 25 budget bills on Tuesday, bringing his total vetoes thus far to 35.
Read a Western Perspective on Rey's tenure at USDA In an interview with University of Montana professor Martin Nie in March, Mark Rey talked about his eight years as undersecretary of Agriculture in the Bush administration.
Report: Idaho ranked 9th in nation for per-person earmarks A new report said that Idaho's congressional delegation secured $104 in federal earmarks for every person in Idaho, ranking the state ninth in the nation for such federal spending.
Idaho governor wields 'veto' stamp, vows to keep at it Today is the 100th day of the Idaho Legislature's session, and on Monday, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter began vetoing bills and said he'd keep doing so until he gets more money to maintain the state's bridges and roads.
U.S. House panel sets hearing on Northern Rockies wilderness bill On May 5th, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hear this year's version of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA), a perennial piece of legislation that would designate as wilderness millions of acres of land in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, as well as hundreds of thousands of acres in Washington and Oregon.
Idaho's bill on bighorn sheep could come back to haunt the state Lawmakers who pushed a bill through the Idaho Legislature that mandates that the state either relocate or kill bighorn sheep that wander on to domestic sheep grazing allotments acknowledge that if the bill becomes law and wildlife officers are photographed killing the bighorn sheep, the state will face a public-relations nightmare, but that's a chance fed-up lawmakers and the ranchers they represent, are willing to take. A column by Rocky Barker.
Gun-related bills sail through Idaho Legislature There were eight gun-rights bills submitted to the Idaho Legislature this session, the most in a decade, and six of them have passed, a seventh has made it through the House, and the eighth died in committee.
Idaho Legislature marks 99th day today Idaho lawmakers are frustrated with what is the second-longest legislature session in state history, but there are still big issues on the table, including spending for road work, a priority for the governor.
Idaho House sends bighorn sheep grazing bill to governor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter holds the fate of bighorn sheep that wander onto domestic-sheep grazing allotments in his hands, after the House sent legislation to him that mandates state wildlife officials either relocate the wild sheep or kill them.
Thousands turn out for 'Tea Party' protest in Boise A Tax Day protest in Idaho's capital city drew 2,500 or so people, despite the cold, wet weather.
Proposed mine in Montana 'poster child' for reworking 1872 law A silver mine proposed in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area in the Kootenai National Forest in extreme Northwest Montana is being offered as Exhibit A in the battle to rework the 1872 hardrock mining law, but the mining industry says this is not the time to impair companies that provide good-paying jobs in states that need them.
Road funds, payroll cuts focus of Idaho legislative battles The Idaho Legislature has a couple of contentious issues to settle before it can adjourn: finding more money to fix Idaho's roads and deciding where to make cuts in the state's payroll.
Road funding a roadblock to Idaho Legislature's adjournment In a legislative session remarkable for disagreement, Idaho House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis did agree on one thing on Monday: Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's continued campaign for additional money for roads will likely keep lawmakers in Boise past Friday.
Idaho House passes bill to allow workers to keep guns in cars Three employers in Idaho - Cabela's, Home Depot and Hewlett-Packard - prohibit employees from keeping guns in their cars, and a bill passed in the Idaho House encourages them to reconsider that ban by limiting their civil liability in state court actions should those guns be used in a crime.
Idahoans' 'Tea Party' protest in Boise includes a pork lunch The Idaho Capitol will be one of the hundreds of sites across the nation where a "Tea Party" tax protest will be held on Wednesday, with protesters at the Idaho event being treated to a pork lunch.
Idaho legislative session grinds on On Friday, the Idaho Legislature will mark its second-longest session ever, if legislators and the governor are unable to reach compromises on the budget and the governor's transportation agenda.
Navajo man: American Indians must form 'virtual 51st state' Mark Charles, a Navajo, said that American Indians should create a virtual 51st state to ensure their voices are heard in the political arena.
Obama nominates former Idaho AG to head BIA President Obama has nominated Larry EchoHawk, who served as Idaho's attorney general in the 1990s and nearly won his race to be governor of that state in 1994, to head up the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Legislative inertia on gas tax frustrates Idaho governor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he's not sure what he'll do next after a frustrating day on Thursday where various sections of the state Legislature nixed his plans on transportation funding and spending federal stimulus funds.
Oregon bill could crimp Idaho Power's transmission plans A bill before the Oregon Legislature that would ban "utility facilities" in areas zoned for agriculture, forest or a mixture of those two uses was originally drafted to address pipelines for liquefied gas, but an Oregon legislator said the legislation could also be applied to Idaho Power's proposed transmission line between Idaho's Owyhee County and Boardman, Ore.
Idaho House OKs bill making predator introduction a felony Idaho House Bill 138 makes it a felony to introduce non-native species in the state that threaten the safety of people, livestock and pets, and allows civil lawsuits for deaths or injuries caused by those non-native species; on Tuesday, the Idaho House sent the bill to the Senate on a 46-24 vote.
Idaho Senate sends 'Connecting Idaho' bill to House The Idaho Senate approved the latest installment of the Connecting Idaho road construction bonds, and sent the measure to the House, where the bill is likely to face a tougher time.
Dozens attend wolf meeting in Idaho Deer Hunters of Idaho sponsored a meeting Saturday night in Hailey to debate wolf management, where most of the 100 or so attendees spoke out against wolves.
Idaho bill would prohibit bighorn sheep in grazing areas The Idaho Senate Natural Resources Committee voted 7-2 to advance legislation that would require the state Fish and Game Department to kill or relocate bighorn sheep that wander onto domestic sheep allotments on federal, state or private land.
N.M. senator introduces bill to revamp 1872 mining law New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman introduced last week legislation to rework the 137-year-old Hard Rock Mining law and impose royalties on hardrock mining on federal lands for the first time ever. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Idaho panel nixes bill addressing town merger The Idaho Senate State Affairs voted 5-3 against a measure that would allow voters in towns that merge to decide on the consolidated towns' name, a bill that was submitted by Sen. Jon Thorson, a former mayor of Sun Valley, who wanted to allay concerns of some Sun Valley residents who are afraid that if a proposed merger of Sun Valley and Ketchum comes to pass, they'll lose their community's name.
Idaho congressman vows 'no earmarks' Idaho institutions who were counting on U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick going to bat for them for federal funding said the Democratic representative's announcement that he was swearing off earmarks left them scrambling.
Idaho Senate panel pushes Swan Falls bills along Three bills that will help Idaho settle a long-running dispute over water rights in the Snake River sailed through a state Senate committee on Thursday and are headed to a full vote before the Senate; if they pass there, they'll move to the House for action.
DOE will spend $468M of stimulus money at Idaho laboratory U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Tuesday that his department will spend $468 million of its $6 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to clean up nuclear waste at the Idaho Nuclear Laboratory.
Idaho congressman seeks funding for pet projects U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson is just fine with the practice of seeking funding for projects in Idaho, and he's submitted requests for earmarks that include $1 million to finish an extension of Boise's geothermal system to Boise State University as well as money for road construction in the state.
Idaho Senate sends boat-fee increase to governor Legislation that will increase boat-registration fees to help cover the cost of protecting Idaho's waterways from invasive aquatic invaders was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday and sent to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for action.
Idaho House tackles gas-tax legislation today The Idaho House will spend Tuesday working on legislation designed to replace Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's plan to raise fuel taxes to provide funds for road work.
Public lands bill contains wolf-kill compensation measure Legislation sponsored by Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, and signed into law as part of the public-lands omnibus bill on Monday, creates a $5-million, 5-year demonstration program to provide federal payments to ranchers who lose livestock to wolf predation and to provide grants to help reduce the risk of such attacks.
Colorado, N.M. senators team up to fix nuclear-workers aid program U.S. Sens. Mark and Tom Udall have teamed up to revamp the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program to ease ill former nuclear-industry workers' efforts to get help under the federal program.
Idaho's Minnick adds beetle-damage amendment to FLAME bill Idaho U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick said beetle damage in the nation's forests provides fuel for catastrophic wildfires and added an amendment to the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, designed to fund fire-fighting efforts on such fires, that would allocate those funds to forests damaged by beetles.
Idaho bill tightens rules on sale of scrap metal Last year, when prices of copper and other metals skyrocketed, anything made of the metals that wasn't bolted down was stolen by thieves and sold as scrap metal; an Idaho bill that would repeal the decades-old laws on buying and selling scrap metals in Idaho and craft new ones modeled on those in Washington state has passed the House and is awaiting a vote before the full Senate.
Otter, Idaho legislators meet in the middle on road bill Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee struck a deal that gives the governor $82 million in bonding authority for road projects and opens the way for eight projects to be built with federal stimulus funds, but it didn't address Otter's plan to raise vehicle registration fees and fuel taxes to help repair other roads in the state.
Idaho governor, lawmaker at odds over funding livestock center Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter sent a memo Wednesday to members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee asking that they consider allocating $10 million of the $35.5 million in federal stimulus funds marked for higher education to the Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies in the Magic Valley, but a co-chairman of the committee said the project doesn't meet federal stimulus criteria.
Idaho to tweak state laws to get federal unemployment aid House Bill 248 makes some changes to Idaho's unemployment laws to make the state eligible to receive federal stimulus funds allocated to aid the jobless.
Idaho lawmakers end funding for women's commission The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has been questioning the need for the Idaho Women's Commission for years, and this year the legislative panel voted to end funding for the commission founded in 1965 to work on issues such as equal pay for women, employment opportunities and child support and custody.
Idaho lawmaker wants Congress to end fight on horse slaughter The Wyoming House recently passed a nonbinding resolution asking Congress not to enact prohibitions on horse slaughter in the United States, and now Idaho state Rep. Thomas Loertscher is urging that state House to pass a similar nonbinding memorial.
Spent nuclear fuel piles up around the U.S. With the apparent demise of the plan to create a national repository for nuclear waste in Nevada's Yucca Mountain, the radioactive waste now stored in 39 states, including in Idaho and New Mexico, will remain where it is stored for now.
Idaho Senate OKs $5M to fight invasive mussels On Friday, the Idaho Senate passed a resolution declaring that the threat of invasive zebra and quagga mussels represented an emergency and allowed the Department of Agriculture to use up to $5 million in emergency funds to keep the invasive mussels out of Idaho's waterways.
NRA appeals court decision on guns in national parks The National Rifle Association immediately filed an appeal of a federal court decision that repealed a Bush administration rule change that allowed visitors to national parks and wildlife refuges to carry loaded guns into those public places as long as they had a valid permit to do so and the laws of the state in which the park or wildlife refuge allowed concealed weapons.
U.S. Senate again passes sweeping public-lands bill On a 77-20 vote Thursday, the U.S. Senate again sent a package of nearly 170 public-lands measures to the U.S. House.
Idaho governor assures tribe Mission park will stay open In a letter to Chief Allan, Coeur d'Alene tribal chairman, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter assured the tribe that the state will honor its 25-year commitment agreed to in 2002 to operate Coeur d'Alene's Old Mission State Park.
Idaho House votes down Otter's proposed fuel-tax increase Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke said he was shocked by the Idaho House's 43-27 vote that killed Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed 7 cent fuel-tax increase, while House Transportation Committee Chairwoman JoAn Wood said she saw the defeat coming and had tried to warn Otter about it.
Federal judge puts guns in parks rule change on hold A Bush administration rule change that took effect in early January that allows visitors to carry loaded, concealed guns into national parks and wildlife refuges if the laws of the states in which the parks and refuges are located allows guns in such public places was put on hold by a federal judge on Thursday.
Road through Alaska refuge part of massive public-lands measure The public-lands legislation passed again by the U.S. Senate last week that will designate another 2 million acres of land in the United States as wilderness also contains a measure that will allow a road to traverse the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, if the package of legislation makes it through the U.S. House.
Idaho gov pulls vehicle-registration fee bill after $11M error found After a group in Idaho found the Idaho Transportation Department over-estimated by $11 million the revenue increase resulting from Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed vehicle-registration fee increase, the governor pulled the bill and planned to resubmit a new one today.
Rubber meets the road on Idaho governor's highway tax increases Republican House leaders promised Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter that they'll get a vote scheduled on his measures to raise vehicle registration and fuel tax increases to fund road projects, but it's anyone's guess if the measures will pass.
Boise gets $2M for geothermal work from federal spending bill The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill signed into law last week by President Obama contained $2 million that will allow Boise to extend its geothermal heat system to Boise State University.
Idaho governor, lawmakers reach accord on fuel-tax increase Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and House leaders struck a compromise on road funding that would increase fuel taxes by 3 cents a gallon this year and 2 cents a gallon in each of the following two years and increase vehicle registration fees in stages over the next three years as well; and House Speaker Lawerence Denney gave the House Transportation Committee to consider Otter's new bills and speculated the panel may send them directly to the House for consideration.
U.S. Senate again moves public-lands bill forward After the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 stumbled in the U.S. House, failing to garner the necessary two-thirds majority vote to pass last week, the U.S. Senate gave preliminary approval again on Monday to the massive bill that would designate more than 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness, setting the matter up for a final vote before the U.S. Senate later this week.
Idaho Legislators Shoot Down Attempt to Use Stimulus Fund Rather than use stimulus funds for an ongoing program that pays for students to attend medical school outside the state, JFAC voted to use general funds, even though it will cost the state budget more.
Stimulus money will fund wildfire work in 4 N. Idaho counties Federal and state officials said $2 million of federal stimulus money will be used to prevent catastrophic wildfires in Idaho's Kootenai, Benewah, Boundary and Bonner counties.
Denied by Idaho, Micron takes cash request to federal gov't After Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter declined to allocate some of Idaho's federal stimulus funds to Micron Technology, the company that once was Idaho's largest private employer, the chipmaker took its request for stimulus funds directly to Washington D.C.
Salazar's wolf decision roils the ranks of the Obama administration Interior Secretary Ken Salazar displayed his independent streak when he decided to take wolves in Idaho and Montana off the federal endangered species list, but the March 6 decision hasn't been well received in some quarters and is proving to be a headache for the Obama administration.
Analysis says Idaho gov's stimulus-funds plan will add 5,300 jobs Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed spending $226 million in federal stimulus funds on roads, sewer and water projects, a plan the head of an Idaho contractors association said will create 5,300 jobs.
Idaho House passes bill for illegal use of dyed diesel fuel A bill that would increase fines for illegal use of dyed diesel fuel restricted for farm use only passed in the Idaho House on Thursday.
Idaho governor lays out plans for federal stimulus funds Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter sliced and diced the $1.2 billion of federal stimulus fund the state is expecting, with health, education and transportation getting the heftiest percentages of the money.
Idaho congressman will have to try again on Owyhee wilderness U.S. Rep. Mike Crapo has worked for more than seven years to get legislation designating an area of the Owyhee Canyonlands in Idaho as wilderness, and after Wednesday's vote on a public lands bill fell short in the U.S. House, he'll have to try again.
NPS announces ban on lead ammunition, tackle A spokesman for a trade association that represents the firearms and ammunitions industries said the National Park Service's decision to ban the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle in national parks by 2010 was arbitrary and not based on science.
Idaho water chief tells lawmakers economy not a factor in order Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Dave Tuthill testified before the state Senate Resources and Environment Committee that state law did not allow him to factor the economic costs of shutting down wells to meet water calls; Tuthill ordered 865 groundwater wells shut down next week if users don't come up with an acceptable plan today to provide water owed to Clear Springs Food in Buhl.
Idaho Power transmission line prompts Oregon legislation Oregon state Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, responded to farmers in Eastern Oregon who are protesting Idaho Power's plan to build a 500-kilovolt transmission line from southwestern Idaho to Boardman by submitting legislation that would prohibit transmissions lines with a load of 400,000 volts or greater on land zoned for exclusive farm use.
Demand far outstrips stimulus funds in Idaho The eight-member panel appointed by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to recommend how the $45 million in federal stimulus funds to be allocated at Otter's discretion have received about $5.6 billion in requests for the money.
Idaho House leaders: Use stimulus money to cut taxes Mike Moyle, R-Star, House majority leader, and Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said Tuesday that they believed Idaho should use $45 million of federal stimulus money to cut personal and corporate income taxes.
U.S. Education Department: Money's coming, spend, document it The U.S. Education Department emailed documents out on Friday to states and schools telling them that billions of dollars of federal aid is on its way, urging schools to spend it quickly and wisely as the request for documentation on how the money is spent will follow on the heels of the cash.
Wish list for federal stimulus funds grows longer in Idaho By Wednesday, non-state agencies had submitted a list of 1,029 projects they'd like to have funded by federal stimulus money, and state agencies added hundreds of millions of dollars more of projects to the list, bringing the total requested to more than $4.75 billion thus far.
Idaho Senate panel OKs bill on energy projects An Idaho Senate panel approved legislation that allows utilities and regulators to set rates of return for transmission lines and power plants before they're built, allowing utilities some reassurance they'll get a return on their capital investment if the project should go awry.
Idaho lawmaker wants boat fees to fund fight against invasive mussels Idaho state Rep. Eric Anderson proposed a $10 invasive species stickers for boats to fund the fight against keeping quagga and zebra mussels out of state waters.
Idaho House panel runs governor's rental-car tax off the road Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposal to add a 6 percent tax to rental cars died in a House committee on Wednesday, and Otter's chief of staff said it would not be revived this session.
Lobbyist on Idaho gov's panel kills gov's bill Mike Brassey, a lobbyist recently named to a panel that will help the governor decide how to use Idaho's share of federal stimulus money, just got paid by the Idaho Rental Car Association to kill one of the governor's own highway construction funding bills.
Idaho DOT recommends projects for federal stimulus funding A special committee appointed by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter will review the Department of Transportation's recommendations for road projects to receive federal stimulus funds before a final decision is made on what projects should receive the money.
Idaho death penalty bill would remove firing-squad option Legislation designed to bring Idaho's capital punishment law more closely in line with a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision that concluded lethal injection did not constitute cruel and unusual punishment includes a provision that would remove death by firing squad as an option in Idaho.
Idaho House votes to end ethanol tax exemption The Idaho House voted Monday to end the state tax exemption on ethanol; the measure now moves to the Senate for action.
Opinions vary on why economy in Idaho's Treasure Valley unraveled In a series about the economy of Idaho's Treasure Valley, the Idaho Statesman examines how the national economic downturn has affected the area and why.
Lawmakers consider hike in vehicle registration fees House Transportation Committee meets to hear testimony on three bills aimed at increasing vehicle registration fees.
Idaho congressman gets N. Idaho highway project moving After state legislators complained about the delay of the Garwood to Sagle construction project on Highway 95 in North Idaho, U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick got involved and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bumped the project up the priority list.
How do you want to pay for Idaho roads? State lawmakers are considering about a dozen ways for Idahoans to pay more taxes and fees for highway needs.
House panel hears testimony on 1872 mining law John Leshy, an former Interior Department official who served on President Obama's transition team, told members of the House Natural Resources subcommittee Thursday that the mining industry could pay federal royalties of up to 8 percent for silver, gold and other hard-rock mining on federal public lands, but industry officials argue that the nation's current economic situation makes it a bad time to update the General Mining Act of 1872.
Legislative study shows how Idaho schools could save cash A study by the Idaho Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluations said state school districts could save money by consolidating operations in three major areas: student transportation, purchase of office supplies, and professional development.
Utah, Idaho congressmen push to expand 'downwinder' program Utah U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson and Idaho U.S. Reps. Walt Minnick and Mike Simpson requested a hearing on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand the reach of the federal legislation to compensate Westerners who lived downwind of Cold War era nuclear testing.
Idaho continues its search for funds for aquifer plan State lawmakers got an update Monday from Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Dave Tuthill on their search for funds to help pay for the $100 million plan to repair the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, with Tuthill indicating that the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service may throw in some cash.
Federal government prepares to take lead in power line placement Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he will sponsor legislation that will give the federal government authority to override states on location of transmission lines.
Idaho man has role as 'fixer' in Obama administration Boise High School graduate Jim Messina earned his chops in Montana politics serving as Montana U.S. Sen. Max Baucus' top aide and on Sen. Jon Tester's successful U.S. Senate campaign, and now he serves as President Barack Obama's deputy chief of staff.
Former Washington governor 'likely' nominee for Commerce A White House official said that former Washington Gov. Gary Locke was the "likely" nominee for Commerce secretary, and that a formal announcement could come as early as this week.
National regulation on car emissions may be in the works The Obama administration is reportedly working on a national standard for vehicle emissions, a move backed by the automobile industry and some environmental groups.
Idaho lawmakers debate campaign to fight quagga mussels After Idaho Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould told budget writers that the state could not afford the cost of building 125 boat-washing stations for $150,000 each to help keep quagga mussels out of the state, lawmakers debated the cost of doing something versus the cost of doing nothing.
Idaho governor names 8 to stimulus panel Former Republican Gov. Phil Batt, former Democrat Govs. Cecil Andrus and John Evans were among the eight people named by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to a panel charged with reviewing a list of projects proposed for federal economic stimulus funds and making recommendations on funding to Otter by March 19.
Idaho's Minnick a Democrat of a different mind-set U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick was a lifelong Republican until he left the party over Watergate, and now the Democratic congressman from Idaho, arguably one of the nation's most Republican states, marches to his own beat. An analysis.
Idaho governor, five others question stimulus package Although none have yet rejected federal stimulus money, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and a handful of other Republican governors, are questioning just how much the $787-billion federal funding package will help the nation's economy.
Idaho senator criticizes stimulus plan U.S. Sen. Jim Risch blasted the federal economic stimulus package in his speech Wednesday to the Idaho State Senate, but two of the talking points he hammered on -- a provision to save habitat for an endangered mouse in California and another to directly fund a high-speed train between Las Vegas and Anaheim, Calif. -- were inaccurate.
Idaho governor creates panel to handle stimulus funds Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter issued an executive order on Tuesday creating a panel that will review how the state should spend federal stimulus funds, and gave the panel a March 19 deadline for making such recommendations.
Idaho legislators say stimulus funds won't fix roads Idaho lawmakers said the federal stimulus package that will be signed into law by President Obama today has money only for shovel-ready transportation projects, and won't help the state solve its long-term road maintenance problems.
Groups ask Vilsack to abolish USDA's Wildlife Services. The recent letter sent by 115 conservation groups to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that he abolish the USDA's Wildlife Services, which removes predators that affect the nation's farms and ranches, was countered by a letter from more than 70 livestock production and state agriculture offices in 35 states citing the agency's efforts to protect the livestock industry.
Idaho teachers oppose legislation to limit contracts Idaho House lawmakers said legislation that would limit teachers' contracts to one-year terms is needed to give districts flexibility in uncertain economic times; teachers called the bill "mean-spirited" and said its true intent is to dismantle unions.
Ag chief pitches lump-sum budget to Idaho lawmakers Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould told state lawmakers that allocating her agency a lump sum appropriation - one that's not tied to specific programs - would give the department flexibility to address unexpected events.
Idaho bill would impose 3-year moratorium on charter schools Concerned that charter schools are pulling much-needed funds away from public schools, Idaho state Sen. Dick Sagness has sponsored legislation to put a three-year moratorium on new charter schools.
Rocky Mountain West lawmakers oppose wilderness bill U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney has tried since 1993 to get the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act through Congress, and this year the New York lawmaker was joined by U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in sponsoring the bill that would designate 23 million acres of land in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming as wilderness, and add smaller amounts of wilderness in eastern Oregon and eastern Washington.
Idaho senator details criticism of federal stimulus bill Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo voted against the federal stimulus package passed by the U.S. Senate, and on Tuesday, he told the Idaho Statesman why.
VP Biden will be in Boise on Thursday for Special Olympics events Vice President Joe Biden will lead a delegation that includes Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Olympic figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Scott Hamilton, to the 2009 Special Olympics in Boise on Thursday, where the vice president will present athletes medals.
Arizona, N.Y. lawmakers submit Northern Rockies wilderness bill As with past versions of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA), which would designate vast swaths of inventoried roadless areas in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, eastern Oregon and eastern Washington as wilderness, no federal lawmakers from Idaho, Montana or Wyoming are officially supporting this year's version, which is sponsored by Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva and New York Rep. Carol Maloney.
Idaho governor rolls out five-year, $174M road plan Idaho House lawmakers immediately went on the record opposing Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's package of six bills designed to increase fees and taxes over the next five years to provide $174 million annually to fix the state's roads and bridges.
Utah professor reportedly in line for BIA post Brigham Young University law professor Larry Echohawk is reportedly under consideration for the top post at the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Echohawk is from the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and served as Idaho's attorney general from 1991 to 1995.
Idaho lawmakers may put grocery tax relief on hold An increase in the tax credit designed to offset Idaho's 6 percent sales tax on groceries may be put on hold as Idaho lawmakers struggle to find ways to reduce state spending.
Idaho budget cuts eliminates water-rights adjudication personnel State Water Resources Director David Tuthill told Idaho lawmakers that budget cuts that eliminate five of the 11 employees in his department working on adjudication of water rights in Northern Idaho will slow the work down.
Idaho wolf bill derails anti-wolf groups' strategy Idaho Sen. Gary Schroeder's bill that would require the state to offer wolves to other states lets the Legislature make its case that it needs to hold the reins in wolf management, but it also keeps the state from embarking on a protracted legal battle with the federal government that it cannot win.
Idaho Senate approves bill to offer wolves to other states The Idaho Senate passed legislation offered by Sen. Gary Schroeder that allows Idaho to offer wolves to other states before removing them permanently, which Schroeder said will help Idaho defend itself it any lawsuits are filed over the state's killing of wolves.
Idaho House Speaker blocks local-option tax bills If Idaho House lawmakers want to submit local-option tax measures, those bills better contain a constitutional amendment or House Speaker Lawerence Denney will deny the bill a hearing.
Idaho lawmakers warn of more budget cuts ahead With January revenues coming in about $35 million less than projected, Idaho lawmakers said Gov. Butch Otter's proposal to cut the state's 2010 budget by 7.5 percent won't be enough.
Idaho congressman pitches his own economic-stimulus plan Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick said his Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition Act would cost just $174 billion, with a $100 billion in tax cuts, $50 billion for roads, $25 billion for schools and $4 billion for job training.
Idaho lawmakers: January revenues will refocus budget work Although the figures weren't yet official, the news that Idaho's revenue came in about $35 million less than projected had lawmakers indicating that their focus on the state budget would shift from what to cut to what the state could afford to fund.
Idaho bill would raise school drop-out age to 18 The Idaho House has agreed to consider legislation that would raise the legal drop-out age of students from 16 to 18.
Idaho bill offers wolves for free Idaho state Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, submitted legislation that requires the state wildlife department to contact other states about taking wolves, and the bill passed on an unanimous vote through committee on to a vote before the full Senate.
Former Idaho congressman undecided on 2010 run Former U.S. Rep. Bill Sali said he's not yet reached a decision whether to run for the Idaho seat again in 2010. Editor's note: A synopsis in Friday's edition of Headwaters News indicated that Sali had officially decided to run.
Funding for wildfire reduction deemed wasteful by GOP lawmakers Earlier this week Republican House leaders released a list of what they deemed were unnecessary, wasteful projects contained within the economic stimulus package passed by the House that included $650 million for wildland fire management on U.S. Forest Service lands.
Public-lands bill held up in House by artifacts, fossil measure Colorado U.S. Rep. John Salazar said a measure contained within the Omnibus Public Land Management Act that restricts the recovery of arrowheads, fossils and other artifacts from public lands has deeply divided the members of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and could keep the entire bill from passing.
Montana senator co-vice chair of Sportsmen's Caucus Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson will serve as co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus for the next two years, and Montana Sen. Jon Tester and South Dakota Sen. John Thune will serve as co-vice chairs.
Wyoming Legislature hears testimony on 5 wolf bills As lawmakers prepared to take testimony on five bills addressing wolf management, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal urged them to wait until the Obama administration reviews the current policy on wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming before passing any legislation.
Republicans eye run for Idaho congressional seat in 2010 Former Idaho Congressman Bill Sali has filed the papers to challenge U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, the Democrat who defeated Sali in 2008, but Sali's candidacy isn't deterring three other Republicans from contemplating challenging Minnick: Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, former state Controller Keith Johnson and state Sen. John McGee.
Idaho schools chief proposes $62 million in budget cuts Idaho lawmakers said they're concerned that State Superintendent Tom Luna's proposal to cut the 2010 education budget by $62 million won't be enough.
Idaho Legislature approves new groundwater rule Under Idaho law, agency rules have to be approved by House and Senate committees in order to take effect, and on Wednesday, the House Environment and the Senate Health and Welfare committees approved a rule that allows mining companies to conduct operations without being forced to clean underlying groundwater to its natural condition after mining stops.
Five wolf bills set for hearing Friday in Wyoming House The Wyoming House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on five bills related to wolves on Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (MST)
Road to Idaho wilderness paved with compromise Idahoans worked for more than a decade to come up with a workable solution to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands, and now they're holding their breath, awaiting the outcome of the vote in the U.S. House on the omnibus public lands bill that contains a provision to designate more than 500,000 acres as wilderness.
Idaho Democrat votes no on U.S. House stimulus bill U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick was one of 11 Democrats that sided with Republican lawmakers and voted "no" on the U.S. House-passed $819-billion economic stimulus legislation.
Idaho lawmakers to get Snake Plain Aquifer plan today The Idaho Water Board is expected to approve the management plan for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer today and send it along to the Legislature for funding.
Rahall sponsors bill to close loophole in 1872 mining law On the heels of a report from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining (pdf) that said an exemption in the General Mining Act of 1872 could cost the nation $1.6 billion in royalties, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, the chairman of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, submitted legislation designed to close that loophole.
Salazar lists recent Interior Dept. decisions to be reviewed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tuesday that a number of recent decisions made by the outgoing administration troubled him and that he intended to review those decisions, including one that opened lands near national parks for energy development.
Tribes would get $2.8B under U.S. Senate's economic bill The Senate Appropriations Committee passed an economic stimulus package on Tuesday that included $2.8 billion for tribes, with most of that funding directed toward Indian Health Services and construction, about $1 billion less than Montana Sen. Jon Tester and other members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee recommended.
Idaho governor may be more open to local-option tax measure Last year, a bill that would have allowed voter-approved local option taxes died because the bill was tied to a constitutional amendment regulating how such taxes could pass, but local governments and business groups are optimistic that legislators' negotiations could revive the measure, without the constitutional amendment provision.
Idaho House panel OKs bill to rev up energy projects The Idaho House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee gave preliminary approval to a measure that would make transmission line projects a priority of state agencies.
Idaho legislators ask educators for advice on budget cuts Idaho lawmakers returned their home districts this past weekend to talk to teachers, school administrators and other constituents about proposed cuts to education funding.
Idaho lawmakers cut deeper into budget Budget writers from the Idaho Legislature cut roughly another 1 percent from the state's spending over and above the 4 percent ordered by the governor.
Idaho Sen. Risch gets committee assignments Idaho's newly-elected Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch got his preferred assignment to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and was appointed to the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Joint Economic Committee, as well as the Select Committee on Ethics.
Idaho schools face future with less funding Idaho educators are reviewing a list of proposed changes to pare schools budgets by 5 percent next fiscal year, with shorter school years, fewer teachers, full-day kindergarten rather than half-days to reduce transportation costs of that voluntary program and ending special initiatives, such as the math initiative designed to improve students' math skills.
Idaho water agency asks lawmakers to shore up aquifer funding The Idaho Department of Water Resources is concerned that the state's current budget woes will imperil its comprehensive management plan for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, which could cost as much as $100 million over the first decade.
Idaho bill would raise fine for misuse of nontaxable diesel fuel Idaho lawmakers said an increase of highway use of nontaxable diesel fuel, which is dyed a different color and is classified for use in off-road vehicles such as tractors and ATVs only, indicates that the fine for violating that law isn't high enough and proposed raising the fine for misuse to $1,000.
Idaho rancher takes sheep battle to Legislature A Weiser-area rancher told members of the Idaho Senate Resources and Environment Committee that restrictions put in place by the federal government to prevent domestic sheep from coming into contact with bighorn sheep has resulted in the loss of 60 percent of his public grazing leases, and asked lawmakers to help prevent further restrictions on grazing.
Dozens of Idahoans trek to D.C. for inauguration Nearly 200 Idahoans gathered Monday for a group photo during an event in Washington, D.C. leading up to the presidential inauguration.
Idaho governor details plan to raise $174M for roads Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed a combination of fee and tax increases to raise $174 million for transportation projects over the next five years, including an increase in the state's fuel tax and in vehicle registration fees, and eliminating the tax exemption on ethanol.
Idaho congressman opens three field offices U.S. Rep. Bill Minnick has opened field offices in Idaho in Meridian, Lewiston and Coeur d'Alene, in addition to his Washington, D.C. office.
Some Idaho agencies' budgets cut, others slashed While Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has proposed an overall 7.3 percent reduction in stage spending. some departments could see their budgets slashed by more than 30 percent, including a 55.83 percent reduction in general fund spending for parks and recreation; a 51 percent reduction for Idaho Public Television; and a 41 percent drop for the commerce department.
Interior Dept. decision on N. Rockies wolves expected today Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett has scheduled a conference today at 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time to make an announcement on the agency's decision to remove wolves in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes regions from the federal endangered species list.
Idahoans urge lawmakers to fund more than roads Business leaders and economists are urging Idaho lawmakers to look beyond transportation projects when filling out federal economic stimulus fund requests, and also consider energy, education and health care.
Idaho considers privatizing Orofino prison As Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and state lawmakers consider budget cuts, state Corrections officials are preparing a request to put the 500-bed prison in Orofino under private control.
Idaho governor lays out budget priorities for lawmakers Republican lawmakers were skeptical about Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's plan to raise taxes to fund transportation projects during tough economic times, and Democratic legislators said the governor's budget put "potholes above people" for raising taxes for roads and not for education.
Idaho senators both voted 'aye' for public lands bill U.S. Sen. Jim Risch cast his first vote as a U.S. senator on Sunday, where he voted along with his Idaho counterpart, Sen. Mike Crapo, to move a massive public lands bill along for a final vote.
Idaho governor maps out new route on roads bill Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he's learned from mistakes make in 2008, and he'll map out his new strategy in his State of the State speech today.
Public-lands bill expected to clear U.S. Senate this week The U.S. Senate voted 66-12 during a rare Sunday session to move along a package of more than 150 public lands bills, which contains wilderness bills in Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, California, Michigan, West Virginia and Virginia; the measure is expected to pass the Senate and move to the U.S. House this week.
Otter disputes Idaho DOT's 'wish list' of projects Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and other state officials are questioning the Transportation Department's list of six highway projects that should be first in line to get any federal stimulus money.
Idaho governor, lawmakers say economy will force new cuts Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said the state's worsening economic situation demands that more services be cut, and lawmakers agree that every aspect of the upcoming legislative session will be affected by the dismal economic situation.
Idaho legislators get a plateful of dismal economic news The Idaho Department of Labor told Idaho lawmakers that the state's unemployment picture is going from bad to worse; the Idaho Board of Realtors said real estate figures continued to decline, and agricultural industry representatives said things didn't look so good in their sector either.
Idaho congressman snags top GOP spot on House committee Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson was named the top Republican on the House Appropriations subcommittee for Interior and the environment.
Attorney: Former Idaho senator won't appeal Minn. decision An attorney for former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig said that Craig will not pursue an appeal of a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision that went against him.
Idaho governor picks state senator to be lieutenant governor Idaho Sen. Brad Little was selected by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on Tuesday to be the state's lieutenant governor.
Idaho Republicans jostle for open state Senate seat The selection of Idaho state Sen. Brad Little to be the state's lieutenant governor created an opening in the state Senate, and Republicans from that senate district are lining up to be the new senator, including Republican Rep. Carlos Bilbao of Emmett, Canyon County Commissioner Matt Beebe and party official Melinda Smyser, both from Parma, have said they're interested.
Idaho congressmen team up on CIEDRA U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick barely had the U-Haul unpacked before he was sworn in as Idaho's newest congressman; immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, he signed on to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, and the two formally introduced the wilderness bill into the newly convened session of Congress.
Idaho governor to name new lieutenant governor Tuesday Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is expected to name Lt. Gov. Jim Risch's successor on Tuesday, the same day Risch will be sworn in as Idaho's new U.S. senator.
Diverse groups to fight wolf delisting in Wyoming The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to again remove wolves in the Northern Rockies from the federal endangered species list before President Bush leaves office, and if the decision leaves Wyoming out of the mix, as some say it might, ranchers, conservation groups and even the state of Wyoming are prepared to fight the decision.
Idaho lawmakers expected to OK new mining rule on water A new rule proposed by the Department of Environmental Quality Board that will need the approval of the Idaho Legislature will allow naturally occurring elements, such as selenium, to enter groundwater under mining and reclamation sites and require mining companies to monitor groundwater to ensure such pollution doesn't migrate off-site.
Hundreds turn out in N. Idaho to talk with governor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter began his "Capital for a Day" program in 2007 to expand access to his office across the state. On Wednesday, 250 Idahoans traveled to Rathdrum to share their concerns about the economy and cuts to state services with the governor.
Idaho senator discusses his priorities in 111th Congress U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo said Wednesday he was dismayed by the shift in focus in Congress, where lawmakers used to work to be more frugal than each other, to the situation today where lawmakers are fighting to outspend the other. The Idaho Republican said he would not vote for the next economic bailout program proposed.
Idaho group not pleased with Salazar's Interior nod Hailey-based Western Watersheds Project is one of the environmental groups that isn't excited about the prospect of Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar taking the helm of the federal interior department. The Idaho group cited Salazar's ties to the ranching and mining industries as its cause for concern.
As Idahoans drive less, fuel tax receipts dive High gas prices across the nation curbed driving, and in Idaho, as in other states, the drop in miles driven has torpedoed fuel tax receipts, and the transportation budgets dependent on that revenue stream.
Idaho governor asks agencies to slash budgets again Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter asked state agencies to take another look at their budgets and see what they would look like if they were 6 percent smaller in 2010.
Federal officials downplay effect of midnight regulations While environmental groups and watchdogs protest the administration's final efforts to change federal policies that they said will have detrimental effects on public lands and species, officials at federal agencies said the changes have been in the works for years or are being made to satisfy statutory requirements.
Idaho compiles list of projects ready for federal funding Idaho's $2.5 billion list of infrastructure projects ready for federal funding under President-elect Barack Obama's proposed stimulus plan contains $805 million of highway construction projects.
Idaho governor skeptical about federal stimulus funds As other states in the Rocky Mountain West prepare their "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that would be funded by the federal stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barack Obama, Idaho's Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has remained on the sidelines, concerned about the overall effect on the country such an aggressive economic approach may have.
Dozens in contention to be Idaho's new lieutenant governor Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is expected to name a new lieutenant governor on Jan. 6, when Lt. Gov. Jim Risch takes his U.S. Senate post.
Minnesota appeals court rejects Idaho senator's request The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's ruling denying Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's effort to withdraw a guilty plea on misdemeanor charges arising out of the senator's 2007 arrest in a Minnesota airport men's restroom in an undercover sex sting.
Kempthorne reviews his tenure as interior secretary Former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne took time out to look back at the two and a half years he has served as interior secretary, the places he got to visit and his accomplishments.
Rule change on guns in national parks takes effect in January The Bush administration successfully overturned a 25-year-old federal rule that restricted loaded guns in national parks, and a new rule will take its place that bases rules on guns in parks to mirror the rules on guns in the states in which the parks are located.
Idaho governor lays out revenue plan for roads Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter's chief-of-staff filled in for the ill Idaho governor on Tuesday, giving attendees at an Associated Taxpayers of Idaho gathering in Boise, a preview of Otter's plan to raise revenue to build and repair the state's roads and bridges, which includes raising fuel taxes and vehicle-registration fees.
Washington, Idaho cut children's programs Budget shortfalls have forced Idaho and Washington state to cut some programs designed to protect vulnerable children, such as the Panhandle Health District's Public Health Nurse Home Visiting Program in North Idaho; in Washington state, the Department of Social and Health Services Children's Administration Region 1 office laid off 27 workers.
Idaho university officials now say they won't seek increase of tuition cap Idaho college presidents asked the state Board of Education on Tuesday to take their proposed request to raise tuition beyond 10 percent off the board's agenda.
ProPublica Web site tracks midnight regulations ProPublica, an independent nonprofit newsroom, is tracking the Bush administration's midnight regulations, and includes instructions on how to track such changes yourself.
Idaho governor orders state agencies to cut budgets again On Monday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter ordered state agencies to make another 3 percent cut in their budgets and to put another 2 percent in reserve in case the cuts aren't enough.
Idaho lawmaker wants to pay parents to teach kindergarten at home Idaho state Rep. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, plans to introduce legislation next year to pay parents who opt to teach their kindergartners at home.
In Congress' waning days, Indian Health bill languishes Congressional leaders acknowledged that it's doubtful they'll get legislation that would funnel $35 billion for American Indian health care programs over the next 10 years passed this session, although Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is hopeful the legislation will pass next session. |
Idaho News MediaNewspapers and News sitesIdaho Statesman (Boise)RuralNorthwest.com (Bonners Ferry) South Idaho Press (Burley) Challis Messenger Coeur d' Alene Press Sho-Ban News (Fort Hall) Wood River Journal (Hailey) Idaho Falls Post Register Island Park News Idaho Mountain Express (Ketchum) Latah Eagle (Latah County) Lewiston Morning Tribune Montpelier News-Examiner Moscow-Pullman Daily News Mountain Home News Idaho Press Tribune (Nampa) Idaho State Journal (Pocatello) The Standard Journal (Rexburg) Spokesman-Review (Spokane and North Idaho) St. Maries Gazette Record Twin Falls Times-News Idaho Unidos Boise Weekly NewWest.net Broadcast MediaIdaho Public Television (PBS)KBCI TV-2 (CBS - Boise) KIVI TV-6 (ABC - Boise) KTVB TV-7 (NBC - Boise) KTRV TV-12 (Fox - Boise) KIDK TV-3 (CBS - Idaho Falls) KIFI TV-8 (ABC - Idaho Falls) KLEW TV-3 (CBS - Lewiston) KPVI TV-6 (NBC - Pocatello) Northwest Public Radio Boise State Radio BlogsEye on Boise (Betsy Russell of the Idaho Spokesman-Review)ID Quicktakes (Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman) Capitol Confidential (Times-News coverage of Idaho politics by Jared S. Hopkins) Ridenbaugh Press (Randy Stapilus; covers politics in ID, OR, and WA) The Common Interest ("an organization of common citizens — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents" - founded by Keith Allred) |
