Idaho Reports

Week 13: A Look Back at the Big Issues

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:30:00 MST

Two brave lawmakers face the pundits for a look back at their best and worst moments, and we explore both sides of the contentious abortion debate and other session highlights.

Week Twelve: Sine Die

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:30:00 MST

The session ended on party line votes as Senate Republicans passed a tax cut for the state's top income earners as well as a slate of ethics rules the minority party hadn't seen in advance and didn't agree with after they did. All in all, after 81 days, Gov. Butch Otter got much of what he wanted.

Week Eleven: Abortion and Ethics

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:30:00 MST

The conservative Idaho House Republican caucus shocked political observers when it agreed to table - for now - a bill requiring ultrasounds before every abortion. Less surprising, the decision of a Senate ethics committee on a potential conflict of interest. Also, lobbyists react to the 2012 session so far, and we examine how conflicts of interest work in a citizen legislature.

Week Ten: Teacher Pay Emerges as a 'Going Home' Issue

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:30:00 MST

House Education chair Rep. Bob Nonini puts the brakes on a Senate bill halting future teacher pay cuts. Also, a heated hearing on new abortion rules. A new Senate ethics investigation. More debates over local control. And a growing feeling in the Statehouse that maybe a March 23rd close was a bit optimistic. We break down the end game.

Week Nine: Beginning of the End?

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:30:00 MST

The last budget has been written, and the coming political races have been set: that usually means the Legislature is about two weeks from adjournment. We ask top GOP and Democratic leaders how close we are to the finish. Plus, our pundits take a look this year's elections and the likely changes to next year's Legislature.

Week Eight: Retirement Season

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:30:00 MST

Redistricting and the election filing deadline motivate a wave of retirement announcments. Retirees Rep. Dennis Lake (R-Blackfoot) and Rep. Wendy Jaquet (D-Ketchum) reminisce about how the Statehouse has changed. Plus, reporter Aaron Kunz looks at energy issues, and we get philosophical on the Occupy movement.

Week 7: Ethics and State Employee Pay Dominate the Week

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:30:00 MST

In a week that saw the surprise resignation of one senator, two lawmakers discuss how Idaho may change its ethics rules. Plus, the debate over state employee pay and a look at state economic development.

Week 6: JFAC Sets a Budget Target

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:30:00 MST

Two key committee chairs talk about the needs competing for state dollars, and our pundits handicap which will come out on top. Plus, the start of tax debates and a primer on a much-changed primary system.

Week 5: Students, state parks and the pundits' outlook for the primary

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:30:00 MST

We take a close look at a bill designed to allow students to take college courses while still in high school, and another to increase funding for state parks.

Week Four: Jobs, jobs, jobs - and the impact of budget cuts

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:30:00 MST

Advocates and opponents of gas drilling in Idaho have competing ideas about how Idaho can boost its economy. Also, JFAC hears testimony on the impact of the recent years of budget cuts, and our pundits react to the death of Micron CEO Steve Appleton.

Week Three: Interview with the Gov; Higher Ed Week at the Capitol

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

It doesn't look good for an Idaho-built health insurance exchange, but the governor hopes his other priorities can survive. Gov. Otter shares his thoughts on the legislative session with Greg Hahn. Plus, Idaho's university presidents talk about how to keep college affordable and effective, while our pundits take on the redistricting fight.

Week Two: Health exchanges, Redistricting, and a Camping ban

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

It didn't take long for things to heat up at the Statehouse. Host Greg Hahn addresses the debate over a state health insurance exchange with some key lobbyists, explores the Idaho economy with a Boise businessman, explains a court decision on redistricting, and discusses drilling rules, Medicaid cuts and Occupy Boise with the pundits.

Week One: Opening Moves

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:30:00 MST

Gov. Butch Otter made his pitch, and the Democrats pointed out where they saw flaws. Now, as the 2012 session gets underway, majority Republicans will begin looking over Otter's plans for more tax breaks, new incentives for university research and business development, and more. Lawmakers Sen. Ken Roberts, Sen. Tim Corder, and Rep. Grant Burgoyne guest. Political analyst Jim Weatherby and reporters Betsy Russell, Jessie Bonner, and Bill Roberts provide context.

Idaho Schools Supt. Luna defends 'Students Come First'

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Supt. Tom Luna maps out the challenging path ahead for implementing his new school reform laws. The State Board of Education and local school boards must put the laws into effect while navigating ballot efforts and a lawsuit aimed at overturning those laws. Also: Gov. Otter sends mixed signals by signing the wolf emergency bill but vetoing the healthcare nullification bill.

Redistricting: 'The Most Pure Form of Political Blood Sport'

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:30:00 MST

Idaho currently has 35 legislative districts, clustered around the state's cities and dispersed over vast swaths of land with some of the nation's lowest population density. During the 2011 redistricting process, the lines of many districts will change. Greg Hahn and guests reminisce about past redistricting fights and look ahead to see how new district lines may shape future legislative races and the careers of incumbent lawmakers.