Palpable pickup of the pace Monday at the Annex. Maybe it’s Otter’s reappearance on the scene or the realization that March is almost here, but some of the big bills are now moving.
The budget committee made drug treatment a priority Monday, against the wishes of the governor. Also, in a newsy press conference, Otter signed a dog fighting bill, changed his mind on private prison construction and said to expect changes on the State Board of Education.
Coming today: Senate Transportation committee considers new fees and midwife licensing in House H&W. All the news that’s fit to surf in today’s Newsrack.
[REFRESH THIS MORNING WHILE SITE IS UPDATED]
Budget committee restores drug treatment funds that governor wanted cut. Wayne Hammon, Otter’s budgeteer: “Is their priority state employees? No, it’s drug users, that’s their priority. All the money they’ve saved so far in the general fund, they’ve just spent.” Russell in the Spokesman.
Otter concedes to lawmakers on state-owned prison. Governor wanted a private company to build a new state prison, but the Legislature was resistant. Otter: “I’ve sent them a very strong signal I’m prepared to let that be owned by the state.” Still wants private company to run the lockup. Miller, AP in the Press Tribune.
Changes coming on State Board of Education. Otter tells press gaggle to expect changes on the dysfunctional board. Stone up for reappointment soon. Board will be before Senate Ed committee Thursday. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Cops help kill Big Easy bill. Concert House attempted to sidestep ABC and carve out new category of “events center”. No go in Sen. State Affairs. Sen. Bart Davis: “We have as a state tried to keep minors away from environments where the sale of liquor, including liquor by the drink, is readily available, and we continue to chip away at it.” Druzin in the Statesman.
State High Court to reconsider five death row cases. SCOTUS tells Idaho Supremes to review the cases in wake of a new law required juries, not judges to rule on capital cases. Boone, AP in the Press Tribune.
Field burners, breathers reach accord. Idaho DEQ will monitor the program. Field burning had been ruled a Clean Air Act violation, but with EPA, Legislative approval, agreement allows farmers to restore the practice under strict controls. Dvorak, AP in the Press Tribune. Bill removes secrecy of field burning locations, prevents burning during times of high pollution. Russell in the Spokesman. Groups trust each other more after negotiations. Ferguson in the LMT [subsrcip].
Bill sets up harsher penalties for no contact violators. Prosecutors’ Heather Reilly: “It’s not uncommon for a batterer to systematically and repeatedly attempt to contact the victim to establish control. This is to protect victims and create a greater deterrent.” Shifrin, AP in the Press Tribune. System is already too harsh. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Cockfighting is next. Trail vows to take up cock fights next year. Otter signed dogfighting felony bill Monday calling it a scourge. Ferguson in the LMT [subscrip].
Gould reflects. Ag director talks about first year at helm. Celia Gould: “The biggest challenge we face is from extremists in the environmental community… The common thread in all these threats truly is water.” Dumas, Ag Weekly.
Tax committee chair to stifle testimony. No comments on nuke industry allowed at Areva hearing. Rep. Lake: “If they want to talk about tax policy — fine. If they want to talk about their hatred of nuclear energy — no.” Two bills aim to lure French nuclear firm to East Idaho. Davidson in the Post Register [subscrip].
Three Mullan men harass, kill bull moose. Fish & Game: “After they pinned it, it hit the windshield, spidered the windshield. It slid off from car and the momentum of car continuing forward actually drove on top of moose and they backed off of it.” Annie Bishop, KXLY-4 TV. Hampton, Shoshone News Press.
Oregon experiment with annual sessions ends. Lawmakers want to meet every year. Seek Constitutional amendment. $15 billion budget over there. Sen. Larry George, R-Sherwood: “It really was the Seinfeld session — it was about nothing. We did pass a lot of resolutions honoring people, but I’m not sure the taxpayers got their money’s worth from this.’’ Silverman and Cain in the Argus. An old suggestion from Unda’…
