The House will take up a grocery tax bill this morning that apparently has GOP and governor’s support. House Democrats have an alternate, phased in removal of the “food” tax in the wings. Otter underwent hip surgery Tuesday, but was in charge of the state the whole time. A controversy between Fish and Game Commissioner Wright and Western Watershed’s Jon Marvel gets wide coverage. And Hailey is looking for answers on marijuana laws.
Also, Unda’ the Rotunda examines Idaho tax breaks for special interests. Like the dead. In today’s Newrack.
Otter has hip resurfaced, back to work immediately. Sen. Brad Little has meeting with him Thursday: “We decided he was very tough.” Otter hold power even uder the knife. Russell in the Spokesman. Also, Stennett out for surgery, recovering. Gannon. McGeachin, Eskridge on the mend. Idaho has oldest state Legislature in the nation. Hopkins in the Times-News.
House fails to take up tax exemption review. A priest walks into Rev and Tax. No joke. Hoffman in the BW.
Grocery bill to be introduced today. House leadership, governor in agreement on tax credit for food. Democrats have alternate bill. Druzin in the Statesman.
Hailey sues itself over pot. City attorney will have to defend citizen pot initiatives against mayor, police chief and city council who will claim they are illegal. City is asking a judge to decide. Friedman in the Times-News. Four more initiatives filed, city wants a ruling. Smith in the Mtn. Express.
One mile rule for testimony on feedlots could be debated again. Senate panel asks Jerome official if its been an issue. He says no, but Times-News says it has. Only people who live within a mile of a proposal can testify, unless the county opens it up. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Monsanto pledges $1 million to new dairy study center. Industry to provide $5 million. State, U of I will foot rest of bill. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Proposal requires monitoring of some “violent sexual predators”. Those with high likelihood to reoffend would wear electronic monitoring devices. Davidson in the Post Register [subscrip].
Tax committee will consider expanding unused small business credit. Bill would lower the threshold to qualify for Small Employer Incentive Act. No business has applied for it since 2005. Carlson in the IBR.
LiCalzi: Idaho looks big on the primary map. Next Tuesday, on CNN, Obama shooting for the big frying pan in the Northwest to be in his camp. Saturday visit discussed. John Miller, AP in the State Journal.
Idaho Democrats set for biggest caucus ever. Brian Cronin, Ada County Caucus MC: “It’s fascinating and thrilling for those of us who don’t usually count in national politics.” Tuesday caucus results will be reported on Idaho Dem Web site, perhaps by midnight. Bethann Stewart in the Statesman. Garmire in the CDA Press. Boise Weekly.
40 people at Lewiston roadless meeting. Most don’t like the USFS roadless plan for Idaho. Meeting tonight in Grangeville and elsewhere upcoming. Barker in the LMT [subscrip].
Global warming inspires state timber harvest. Department of Lands proposes larger timer harvest with fears of beatles, fires, etc. State made $64 million from timber last year. Keith Riddler, AP in the State Journal.
Marvel denies pushing Fish and Game commish. Jon Marvel: “I think it’s an orchestrated effort to attack me, to distract attention from the work our group has been doing with regard to the mismanagement of Fish and Game.” Fish and Game asked activist to only contact department in writing. Druzin in the Statesman. Mtn. Express has 5 witnesses. Stahl in the Mtn. Express.
Thousands of East Idaho groundwater users may still face shutoffs. Appeals, agreements may still be pending. Don Wimberly on Boise State Radio. [AUDIO]
$3 million of proposed $20 million aquifer study will go to North Idaho. Study not necessarily related to adjudication, which some N. Idaho lawmakers oppose. Goins in the CDA Press.
NewWest lists Risch primary challengers. 8 names in the hat for Craig seat. Jill Kuraitis at NewWest.net.
Idaho County still scrutinizing jail plan. Another large jail is under construction in Lewiston. Commissioners running the numbers to see if big lockup would have enough business from the State. Hedberg in the LMT [subscrip].
