SEARCH

[post_thumbnail]Michael Stoddard is an attorney with Hawley Troxell, the law firm providing legal representation to the state insurance exchange. The lawyers selected to offer legal advice to the Idaho insurance exchange have ties to at least two groups that lobbied heavily in favor of the program at the state Capitol. Hawley Troxell, a Boise-based law […]

[post_thumbnail] Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, and Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, spoke at a press conference Monday about what they consider to be questionable practices by the Land Board. A citizens’ activist group and two members of the Idaho House of Representatives Monday expressed “serious concerns” about the Idaho Department of Lands plans to acquire […]

[post_thumbnail] Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, is hoping the state insurance exchange in time will attract additional insurance options to the state beyond those selected by the exchange board last week. The Idaho state health insurance exchange has determined which insurance plans it will be distributing and from which insurance companies those plans will originate. The […]

GUEST OPINION, Robert Forrey When Idaho became a state in 1890, the US Congress granted 3.6 million acres of land to the new state to be used “for the support of common schools.” These lands can be sold or rented, but this must be done at a public auction in order to “… secure the […]

[post_thumbnail] Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, is adamant that the Land Board should not invest in properties in competition with the private sector. The Idaho Department of Lands has assembled an elaborate plan to take the state government of Idaho into the business of renting vacation homes. However, as of Monday, the decision was made […]

[post_thumbnail] Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, believes the state Land Board competes unfairly with the private sector in that its holdings, for example, do not have to pay taxes. The Idaho Department of Lands has announced that the level of state endowment fund assets is at an “all-time high.” Yet a growing number of state […]

It seems I offended a great number of people with last week’s column regarding my speeding ticket that a quick follow-up appears appropriate. First, as an update, I entered a plea of “not guilty” a few days ago. It seemed problematic for me to admit I violated Idaho Code 49-654(2)(E) for excessive speeding when that […]

It seems I offended a great number of people with last week’s column regarding my speeding ticket that a quick follow-up appears appropriate. First, as an update, I entered a plea of “not guilty” a few days ago. It seemed problematic for me to admit I violated Idaho Code 49-654(2)(E) for excessive speeding when that […]

As Idahoans engage in a statewide conversation about K-12 public school improvement, I want to add another discussion point to the mix: The state should reexamine its participation in national education standards known as Common Core. I say this despite my deep respect and friendship for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, a supporter […]

During the heated debate on the state insurance exchange, I made it a point to tell people that my chief political rival on the issue, Gov. Butch Otter, is a friend of mine, and still is. In the midst of battle during the winter, I saw Butch at a function in Weiser and we embraced […]

During the heated debate on the state insurance exchange, I made it a point to tell people that my chief political rival on the issue, Gov. Butch Otter, is a friend of mine, and still is. In the midst of battle during the winter, I saw Butch at a function in Weiser and we embraced […]

The Senate has made changes to legislation regarding ballot initiatives and referendums in the state. Senate Bill 1191 passed overwhelmingly, 33-1, Monday without floor debate. The legislation serves as a “trailer” bill to amend Senate Bill 1108, which passed in the Senate earlier this month, and which also passed in the House. Current Idaho law […]