Politics/Policy

Boise Considers Tougher Laws For Panhandling

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:39:05 +0000

City officials in Boise are considering tougher ordinances on panhandling following complaints.

The Boise City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to review three ordinances.

One ordinance would outlaw aggressive panhandling.

Panhandling where solicitation can't be avoided would also be banned. That includes asking for money from drivers on roadways, people in line, or people dining at a sidewalk cafe.

Another ordinance would require panhandlers to have permits to put up tents, chairs or tables on public property.

U.S. Attorney: Kurbanov In Country Legally, Owned Explosives

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:02:52 +0000

A Boise man appears in federal court at 8:30 Friday morning on terrorism charges. He was arrested Thursday in Boise at an apartment complex near Borah High School.

Wendy Olson is the U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho. She says the suspect is a national of the central Asian nation of Uzbekistan and legally in the U. S.

Gov. Otter To Get $54,000 Annual Housing Stipend

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:40:38 +0000

Idaho will resume paying a $4,500 monthly governor's housing stipend to C.L. "Butch" Otter in June as it clears furniture from the governor's mansion in Boise in preparation for returning the home to the Simplot family.

The state decided this year to give back the hilltop mansion.

Sen. Crapo: Americans Should Get First Pick Of Guest Worker Jobs

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:37:40 +0000

Democratic and Republican senators have filed hundreds of amendments to an immigration bill in the U.S. Senate. Many amendments filed by Republicans aim to boost border security and add employment enforcement provisions. Supporters say in some cases the real intent is to kill the legislation.

Boise Seeks To Educate, Get Feedback From Dog Owners

Frankie Barnhill — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:22:32 +0000

Boise dog owners will have the chance to talk with city representatives beginning today at Morris Hill Park. Boise Parks and Recreation – along with the Boise Police Department and Animal Control – will be visiting 10 off-leash areas for dogs. In the past, unleashed dogs have been a contentious issue in the city.

May Day Protests In Seattle Turn Ugly Again

Deborah Wang — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:53:09 +0000

May Day began peacefully in Seattle with a march for immigration reform. But in the evening, hundreds of protesters clashed with police.

Police used what they call “blast balls.” That’s a kind of explosive that also contains pepper spray.

Immigration Rally In Boise Looks To Idaho Congressman For Support

Frankie Barnhill — Thu, 02 May 2013 02:48:51 +0000

A few hundred people rallied at a downtown park in Boise for immigration reform before marching to the Statehouse. As part of the national May Day rallies, Idaho labor unions, businesses and student groups came out in support of a U.S. Senate bill that would create a path to citizenship for immigrants who came to America illegally.

Cristina McNeil is with the Idaho Community Action Network. She says that lobbying Congressman Raul Labrador to pass comprehensive immigration reform is an important part of the struggle.

Police Seize Children Of Idaho Pot Advocate

Steve Jackson — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:20:31 +0000

An advocate for medical marijuana in Idaho is fighting to have her three children returned to her, after they were taken when marijuana was found in her home.

Lindsey Rinehart of Boise is the campaign manager with Compassionate Idaho, a group organizing a signature gathering campaign to put medical marijuana on the Idaho ballot.

Last week, Boise police went to her home after an 11-year-old child at a Boise school became ill after eating what police believe was marijuana.

2013 Idaho Legislature: By The Numbers

Samantha Wright — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The 2013 Idaho Legislature adjourned on April 4. Legislators debated everything from health care to public education funding. We brought you the major stories from the 62nd regular session, including the creation of a state-based health insurance exchange. Now it’s time to do the numbers, with a little help from the recently released end of session report:

Idaho Senator Says Internet Tax Bill Could Provide State Tax Relief

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:12:12 +0000

Tax-free shopping on the Internet could come to an end under a bill making its way through the U-S Senate.

The bill would allow states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives.

Idaho Senators Vote Against Expanded Gun Background Checks

Associated Press and Emilie Ritter Saunders — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:18:05 +0000

The Senate has rejected a bipartisan effort to expand federal background checks to more firearms buyers in a crucial showdown over gun control.

Idaho's Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo voted against the measure. Just four Republicans voted in favor of the expanded background check amendment.

Pocatello Latest Idaho City To Take Up Gay Rights In Absence Of State Action

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:54:54 +0000

Thursday, the city council in Pocatello is expected to vote on whether to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s one of several cities in Idaho that have taken up the cause of gay rights – an issue the Idaho Legislature has so far resisted. But even some gay rights supporters wonder if the local ordinance would change anything.

Sequester Grounds One Mountain Home AFB Fighter Squadron

Samantha Wright — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:15:10 +0000

More than 70 airmen and 30 planes will remain on the ground through the fall at Mountain Home Air Force Base. That's because of federal budget cuts, known as the sequester.

Sequester Hits Mountain Home Air Force Base

Samantha Wright — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:46:04 +0000

The federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, have hit Mountain Home Air Force Base. Officials announced today that one of their fighter squadrons will curtail flying operations.

The 391^st Squadron, known as the Bold Tigers, stopped flying their planes yesterday. The stand down will remain in effect through the end of the fiscal year in September.

Sequester Still Threatens Idaho Airport Towers

Frankie Barnhill — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:49:35 +0000

Idaho’s regional airport towers have been given a short reprieve from federal budget cuts known as the sequester. That includes Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Lewiston and Hailey. The towers are now set to close on June 15th.

Closing the towers means planes could still fly, but pilots would take on the responsibilities the towers now hold.

For Regulators, Marijuana Legalization About 'Getting Into The Weeds'

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:05:07 +0000

Pocatello Council Hears Emotional Testimony Over Local Gay Rights Law

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:43:37 +0000

A city in the heart of Idaho's Mormon country held a four-hour public hearing Thursday night on whether to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians. A growing number of cities in Idaho are adopting local rules that protect sexual orientation and gender identity.

Parents and grandparents spoke about the fears they have for their gay or lesbian family members. Gloria Mayer said she's been hiding her identity for years.

“I am 63 years old ... and I'm gay," she said. "That is the first time I have said that publicly.”

Health Insurance Exchange Top Achievement Of Idaho’s 2013 Legislature

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:05:06 +0000

Idaho’s 2013 legislative session is over. Lawmakers passed the last bills they were willing to tackle before noon Thursday.

In the last minutes of a legislative session lawmakers get in a weird mood. They give emotional speeches, recite poetry, a few senators even sang an original song about going home on the floor as the Senate wrapped up its final business

While senators sang, Idaho’s House voted to pass the $1.3 billion public schools budget ($1.6 billion including federal money.) It’s an increase in school spending of about 2 percent, the biggest total boost since 2009.

Idaho Legislature Approves $20.7 Million In Tax Cuts

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:00:45 +0000

The Idaho Legislature will go home today having approved nearly $20.7 million in tax cuts. That’s a fraction, less than one percent, of the state’s general fund budget.

'Tuition Equity' Signed, Driver Licenses For Undocumented Workers Introduced

Colin Fogarty — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:08:16 +0000

SALEM, Ore. - Students in the country illegally can now pay in-state tuition rates at Oregon universities. Governor John Kitzhaber signed what’s known as the “tuition equity” bill into law Tuesday at a crowded ceremony in Salem.

The students must have studied in the U.S. for five years and attended an Oregon high school for at least three to qualify for the lower tuition rate.

One of the students who pressed for the measure was Edith Gomez.