A bill brought by mining companies would allow them to leave contaminated water behind and circumvents negotiations with DEQ and environmental groups. Student group and the NRA want to be able to carry concealed weapons on campus to shoot shooters (or, perhaps, deter them). And PaleoMedia.org gets a mention over in the Basque Country... in today's Newsrack. There is a lot to read these days... if we miss a good Idaho politics story let the people know in the comments section.

Obama visit, organizing came through for him across Idaho Tuesday night. Clinton gets only three of 18 delegates from Idaho according to the Spokesman Review. McCain claimed a decisive victory nationwide, but the Democratic race is still up for grabs, though Clinton has the edge. Lots of primary links below and check for audio from the Ada County caucus on PaleoMedia.org soon. Tom Luna is standing by his teacher pay plan despite increasing pressure to amend it, prison building in the Boise Weekly and field burning negotiations will continue... in today's Newsrack...

Today is Super Tuesday and Idaho is caucusing in every county. At the Legislature, Monday was a busy day. A speculative grocery tax credit died in committee, an anti-abortion bill was introduced and a measure that will cut into immigrant's ability to get drivers licenses passed the House with a heated debate. Also today, several interesting energy stories, PAC money in local elections and 2007 presidential fund raising totals for Idaho. As always, update your browser in a few hours to see if more stories appear.

Big political even in Boise Saturday: Candidate Obama filled the Taco Bell Arena drawing a raft of endorsement from state Democrats. 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...

A long list of Republican law makers submitted a concept grocery tax credit bill Wednesday that does not quite match the governor's or Democrats' notion. It increases the state's tax credit on groceries for everyone, giving the poor $25 more a year. Opening liquor stores on Election Day got a nod, but barely, in committee. And Obama will be at Taco Bell Arena Saturday monring... one estimate projects 10,000. One Republican State Senator told PaleoMedia.org he's not voting for Obama, but he might go see him... PaleoMedia will be out of town, but would consider publishing a first-hand account from the show... [MORE]

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.

Unimpressive prison riot video shown to budget committee raises hackles. But a growing number of counties appear to be looking at building larger newer prisons with the hope of taking some state business housing offenders. Transportation Department drivers license bill first reported on PaleoMedia.org is headed to full House for a vote. Dog fighting felony bill will get a hearing, global warming, not so much. And Obama to swing through Boise this weekend. In today's Newsrack...

Conservative, former Utah governor Lane Beattie was at the Statehouse Thursday talking about how important it is to raise taxes for transportation infrastructure. Senate transpo committee impressed, but House leadership still skeptical. Also, Post Register reporter asks governor's office about adding sexual orientation to Idaho Human Rights Act and gets a vaguely supportive response, teacher pay plan public hearings end with full house and Tamarack is fined for stormwater runoff violations. Big fine. Read more.

Gov. Butch Otter began shopping his plan to begin immediate construction on a privately built and operated prison, but was met with some skepticism from Legislative leaders Wednesday. Funding for a new prison was not in Otter's budget, but the state would not have to pay immediately if a prison company was contracted for the work. There is a lengthy peice of legislation that would authorize the privately run prison, but it has not been introduced yet.

Also, House and Senate leaders questioned some of Otter's other spending at an Idaho Press Club luncheon, the annual raft of sex offender bills are getting heard and ACLU chief Jack Van Valkenburgh is moving on in today's Daily Newsrack. Read more.

A survey conducted last fall and released by the Idaho Meth Project Tuesday shows that Idaho youth know quite a...