[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 […]

Described by one legislator as “one of the worst pieces of legislation” that he has ever seen, nonetheless the Idaho Legislature has passed a bill that will significantly change the ballot initiative and referendum process in the state. “I really think this is one of the worst pieces of legislation I have ever seen,” Rep. […]

[post_thumbnail] Sen. Jeff Siddoway supported changing statewide ballot initiative process. The Idaho Senate on a 25-10 vote has approved a bill that would seek to change the ballot initiative and referendum process in the state. “We have to decide what is more important,” Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian,  commented to IdahoReporter.com after the vote, “ensuring that […]

[post_thumbnail] Rep. JoAn Wood is in support of funding public charter schools. Since authorized for creation by the Legislature in 1998, Idaho has been home to 44 charter schools with a handful coming and going since then. There are currently 40 charter schools in the state. How they are funded, created, maintained and the rationale […]

By Dustin Hurst | Watchdog.org Gov. Butch Otter is hardly the first politician to reverse course on a controversial and highly contentious issue. Look at President Obama’s evolution on gay marriage, George H.W. Bush’s flip on his “no new taxes” pledge, or Mitt Romney on, well, everything. Yet, Otter’s conversion from bellicose health-care rebel to boisterous lobbyist […]

[post_thumbnail] Sen. Curt McKenzie, left, supports legislation that requires some statewide support to get an issue on the ballot. Senate Bill 1026, in light of the Legislature’s passage of education reform measures in 2011 and their subsequent repeal in the November 2012 general election following a successful initiative effort to get them on the ballot, […]