Big political event in Boise Saturday: Candidate Obama filled the Taco Bell Arena drawing a raft of endorsements from state Democrats. Lots of links below. PaleoMedia was traveling and spotted an interesting story about lobbyyists in USA Today… Members of Congress, including Rep. Sali are skirting new lobbyist reporting rules by going to private fundraisers at corporate-owned mansions in the District.
Also Dog fighting felony passed Senate with four dissenters. Airplane fuel tax hike passes House. In today’s Newsrack…
[REFRESH THROUGHOUT AM…]
Obama draws record crowd to arena. Saturday rally tops 14,000. Obama: “And they told me there were no Democrats in Idaho.” Webb and Murphy in the Statesman. Andrus: He’s like Kennedy. Russell in the Spokesman. Won’t take away guns, condolencess to Hinckley. On The Trail (Washpost). Repubs still dominate, they say. Popkey in Statesman. Full speech here.
Clinton supporters on the Basque block. Washington Sen. Cantwell campaigns for Clinton in advance of large Obama rally. Says the New York Senator will help local candidates. Kreller in the Statesman.
More Obama… Virgin ears in Boise. Scott Helman on Boston.com (Globe). NY Daily News Obama tried to go off record on flight from Boise. Press scrum pissed. He said it was his first time in Idaho and that he was going to watch the Superbowl with some Secret Service guys… a few reporters “missed” the big news. John McCokmick of the Baltimore Sun.
GOP memo cites budget differences with governor. Legislature may not fund 5 percent pay raise for state employees, pare down scholarship fund proposal, etc. GOP budget writers worried about economy. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Tom Trail: AG says iSTARS may be unworkable. On Idaho Reports. Luna: just one attorney’s opinion. Russell in the Spokesman.
Former Otter advisor, lobbyist, quits Legislator pay committee. Malmen cites possibly concerned about conflict of interest after reporter inquiry? Hopkins in the Times-News.
State energy efficient buildings get committee nod. Estimated to save $1 million in first five years. Volkert in the IBR.
Times-News raises questions about state child sex abuse data. Attorney General’s office, researchers looking into major flaws in annual report on sex abuse.
Report said 17 cases in Twin Falls County, but there were more like 82. Friedman in the IBR.
Proposed CAFO site near monument up for sale. Big Sky Farms put land near Minidoka camp up for sale while suit against county still pending. Idaho Power may buy. Christensen in the Times-News.
Leno mentions state ban on Election Day liquor sales. Committee votes to open state liquor stores for elections. woo-hoo. But 7 members of House State Affairs didn’t think it was a good idea. Hopkins in the Times-News.
