Idaho Reports

Week Four

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Idaho Reports gets back to basics, with an explanation of how state lawmakers develop the budget. Three key members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee - co-Chairs Sen. Dean Cameron and Rep. Maxine Bell, along with Democratic JFAC member Rep. Wendy Jaquet - discuss how they'll make tough decisions about cuts to state services and workers.

Week Three

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna explains his unconventional strategy for filling a $135 million hole in school funding. Also, "Across the Spectrum Panel" members take on the Democrats' IJOBS proposal; statehouse analysts Betsy Russell, Jim Weatherby and Kevin Richert consider higher education's struggle to find state support; and "Public Servant of the Week" features Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d' Alene.

Week Two

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Idaho Reports examines the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's revenue projection and the possibility of a $110 million cut for the remainder of this fiscal year, Health and Welfare's budget woes, and Gov. Otter and Nancy Merrill's press conference announcing a "paradigm shift" in the way the Dept. of Parks and Recreation is operated.

Week One

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

Idaho Reports analyzes Gov. Otter's State of the State and Budget Address, from his proposals for mid-year cuts to public schools to the gradual elimination of several departments and agencies. Guests on the program include: Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, Betsy Russell, Dan Popkey, Dr. Jim Weatherby, and Robb Hicken.

2010 Legislative Preview

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

Idaho Reports previews the upcoming 2010 Legislative session with top lawmakers, reporters, and pundits. Host Thanh Tan discusses possible cuts to public education and the governor's announcement that there will be an additional cut in state spending outlined in his State of the State and Budget Address.

Week Seventeen

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

After 117 days in session, the Idaho Legislature has finally adjourned sine die. This week's wrap-up show features an all-star panel of pundits and politicians dissecting the final days of the political stand-off between Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and the House over transportation funding. Thanh Tan moderates the discussion among Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review, Dan Popkey and Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman, political analyst Jim Weatherby, Keith Allred of The Common Interest, Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, House Asst. Majority Leader Scott Bedke, Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly and House Minority Leader John Rusche.

After the Show: Week Seventeen

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists reflect on the changes lawmakers made to public education this year, the effects of the stimulus package, and the growing political clashes inside the Republican party.

Week Sixteen

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

The House of Representatives left the Senate hanging this week after voting Wednesday night to adjourn sine die. The lawmakers refused to give in to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's demands for a fuel tax increase and $75 million in additional road funds. The Senate continues to stand by the governor's side, so forcing the House to return on Monday. This week's show features insight and commentary from Sen. Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner, House Minority Caucus Leader Bill Killen, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review.

After the Show: Week Sixteen

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists Stegner, Killen, Bedke, Weatherby and Russell talk about how the governor may have permanently lost support from lawmakers after last week's veto spree. They also respond to accusations that some members may be hypocritical for wanting road projects in their districts but not wanting to raise taxes to pay for them. The discussion includes spirited debate between Rep. Bedke and his "blood cousin" in the Senate, Sen. Stegner, as they respond to critical editorials about the House's early adjournment.

Week Fifteen

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter wielded his veto stamp 35 times this week, in an all-out effort to convince lawmakers to support HB 96, a bill amended by the Senate to increase the fuel tax by four cents. Lawmakers responded by killing the measure by a vote of 15-55. This week's panel discusses how the vetoes may have backfired, the new road proposals being considered by the House, the potential end game, and the scramble to end the session. Host Thanh Tan is joined by regular contributors Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review. This week's featured lawmakers are JFAC co-chair Sen. Dean Cameron, House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, and Rep. Cliff Bayer.

After the Show: Week Fifteen

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell, Sen. Dean Cameron, Rep. James Ruchti, and Rep. Cliff Bayer respond to Sen. Cameron's impassioned plea for support of the governor's road priorities, then watch archive footage of former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne vetoing a slew of bills to get his transportation bills passed in 2005 and compare the two governors' approaches. Also: editorials from around the state and the quirky story behind the House "crow."

Week Fourteen

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Lawmakers are itching to go home, but two issues remain unresolved: transportation funding and the final budget. Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, Senate Transportation Chair John McGee, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review join host Thanh Tan for a discussion about the Senate's last-ditch effort to help the governor move his transportation agenda forward. Also: the failure of the liquor license quota bill in the House and the latest agreement on cutting state personnel costs.

After the Show: Week Fourteen

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

The discussion turns to the remaining public education funding bills, the proper role of government in treating cystic fibrosis patients, a controversial bill to allow guns at work, and some perspective on Sen. McGee's attempt to "suck up" to House Transportation Chair JoAn Wood. The lawmakers also respond to increasingly strong criticism over their lengthening stay in the Capitol annex.

Week Thirteen

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Governor Butch Otter's push for additional road funding hit another bump this week after the House voted against a two cent fuel tax increase. By Friday, lawmakers handed him a small victory by voting to authorize $82 million in highway bonds. The discussion also touches on the controversy over personnel cuts, as JFAC continues to adjust budgets. Host Thanh Tan is joined on set by regular contributors Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman Review. Special guests are Rep. Cliff Bayer, House Minority Leader John Rusche, and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis.

After the Show: Week Thirteen

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panel members Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell, Rep. Cliff Bayer, House Minority Leader John Rusche, and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis discuss a liquor license quota bill that is inching its way closer to passage in the House, Speaker Denney's decision to pull his Voter ID bill, how a noteworthy financial disclosure measure is being held "hostage," the passage of a bill to increase Fish and Game fees for non-state residents, and a spirited debate over editorials from around the state.