News that Mitt Romney, who had garnered scads of support in Idaho, was dropping out spread quickly through the Statehouse Annex Thursday. Many of the officials who had backed him quickly jumped on the McCain bandwagon.
A December decline in personal income tax collections for the state made the budget committee fidget, or feign fidgeting at least and inspired the governor, still recovering from hip surgery, to issue a lengthy op-ed supporting his employee compensation proposal.
Also, Dennis Lake, 70, chairman of the House Revenue and Tax committee, suffered a minor stroke and had to be wheeled off the floor in the middle of debate. He smiled and waved to “my fans” as he was taken to the elevator. He is reported to be undergoing tests at a Boise hospital. In today’s
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January revenue 38.5 million short. Budget committee talks of shaving state employee, teacher raises. Governor doth protest. Otter spokesman Hanian: “We also feel one month does not a crisis make, and we remain optimistic that we are going to be able to do what the governor laid out.” Druzin in the Statesman. Miller, AP in the Press Tribune.
58 percent of school admins don’t know how to respond to emergencies. Safe schools report shows “glaring security gaps”. Department of Ed want $!50,000 for school security standards. Shifrin, AP in the Press Tribune. Report here.
1990 school facilities law suit could go to federal court. Or Idaho Supremes could just clarify what they meant in their 2005 ruling. Boone, AP in the Press Tribune. Unusual case. Plaintiffs have sued the Supreme Court to get an answer. Russell in the Spokesman.
Two real estate price disclosure bills printed. Jaquet, Keough want prices reported to county. Realtors want listing services to pitch in. Both will get debate in Senate Local Government. Volkert in the IBR.
Energy efficient state buildings passes House. Bill makes new state building 30 percent more efficient than code. Unless not cost effective. Volkert in the IBR.
State gets REAL ID extension. Costs $40 million to implement. Fisher on NewWest.net.
Grape, apple growers looking for workers. Border crossing, transportation costs, competition making workers scarce. Anna King from Richland on Boise State Radio. [AUDIO]
No regulation for Idaho, Washington tattoo parlors. Pick design, shop carefully. CDA tattoer Scott Hankins: “I have been beating my head against the board trying to get people to understand the scope of the health risks of having this many shops in town without any regulations.” Garmire in the CDA Press.
Idaho Romney supporters now like McCain. Circle the wagons. Risch: I disagree on immigration, but like 90% of McCain’s issues. Druzin in the Statesman. Caught off guard. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Owyhee County employees could be fired for running against their bosses. County measure says that an employee who challenges an elected official on the campaign trail could distrupt office life and therefore be fired. Butts in the Press Tribune.
Public misuse of funds passes Senate. Sen. Kate Kelly: “There is a bigger problem in our state than you would think.” Ferguson in the LMT [subscrip].
AG will investigate missing funds at Gem County Clerks office. Announced on same day that public graft bill passes Senate. In the Messenger Index.
1,000 Elk westbound. On the Interstate. Expect delays. Mtn. Home News. NewWest.net.
