2020 Legislature

Every year, Boise State University surveys the state to learn how folks feel about key issues. From growth to taxes, education to salmon recovery, the wide ranging topics help tell a story about Idahoans’ priorities and concerns. 

The new survey came out Monday. Author Jeffrey Lyons of the University’s School of Public Service joined Idaho Matters to interpret the results. 

A yet-to-be introduced proposal in the Idaho House is trying to prevent private landowners and others from blocking off access to public lands. These types of incidents have become flashpoints for backpackers, hunters and anglers.

Gov. Brad Little (R) is offering up eight weeks of paid parental leave to workers at most state agencies beginning this summer.

Idaho lawmakers are once again considering removing science standards for public schools that outline the effects of man-made climate change.

Idaho Republicans are trying to prevent school districts, cities and other entities from asking residents to vote on multiple, similar bond issues each year.

Legislative session is in full swing here in Idaho. Our own Jimmy Dawson, Kevin Richert (Idaho Ed News) and Don Day (BoiseDev) explain what's gone down this week in the capitol and beyond. 

The Idaho House of Representatives has expelled Rep. John Green (R-Post Falls) just one day after his conviction on a federal tax fraud charge.

Testimony Wednesday in support of Idaho’s Common Core public school standards outnumbered opposition as state lawmakers consider bagging the standards altogether.

A Dallas jury has found Idaho state Rep. John Green (R-Post Falls) guilty on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in a scheme involving laundering gold coins to avoid paying income taxes.

The Idaho Department of Correction is hoping to send 500 more inmates out of state to ease overcrowding in prisons and county jails, which, in turn, is expected to cost a lot more money.

The Idaho House and Senate seem to have hit a snag. They haven’t figured out a compromise over how the legislature adopts rules that underpin every facet of state government.

It's been a busy first week after the holidays. To break it all down, tune in to the Reporter Roundtable as reporters Heath Druzin of Boise State Public Radio, Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press and Nicole Foy of the Idaho Statesman join us.

Lauren Necochea is the newest Idaho lawmaker, appointed by Gov. Brad Little in December to replace former Minority Leader Mat Erpelding's seat in Boise's 19th District. Previously, she was the Director of the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy. Necochea joins Idaho Matters to discuss her transition from policy to electoral politics. 

Idaho lawmakers are digesting the governor’s proposal to give state employees a 2% pay bump in the coming fiscal year.

Idaho’s Republican Party is urging state lawmakers to correct a loophole that would let voters change their party affiliation on Election Day during the upcoming presidential primary.

  The ACLU of Idaho has long lobbied for change in criminal justice, urging officials to take a closer look at things like mandatory minimums, prison overcrowding and employment opportunities after folks serve their time. The group has a new statewide report they'll use to try and convince lawmakers to reform the criminal justice system.

Idaho Democratic lawmakers are questioning Gov. Brad Little’s (R) conservative budget approach, despite his administration calling revenue growth “red hot.”

Monday, Governor Brad Little gave his annual State of the State address at the Idaho capitol. The Republican laid out his vision for the new year in a forty-minute speech. 

But now, it's up to Republican and Democratic lawmakers to decide what to do with his proposals. James Dawson covers the statehouse for us and helps Idaho Matters break down the speech, and their response to it. 

It’s been more than a year since Governor Brad Little took his oath of office on the steps of the Capitol. The rancher and longtime elected official told the crowd that day that his goal would be to “reflect shared Idaho values.” As he prepares for his second year as Idaho’s top leader, Idaho Matters sat down with him.

Idaho lawmakers are back in Boise and have a laundry list of issues they plan to tackle this year, many of which might kind of feel like a broken record from last year. Initiatives? Check. Medicaid funding? Yep. Redistricting? Absolutely.

State officials are painting a fairly rosy economic picture in Idaho to lawmakers returning for the upcoming session, despite the state collecting less tax revenue than expected.

The Idaho House will have a new leader in the 2020 legislative session. Mat Erpelding resigned from his position as House Minority Leader and his District 19 seat in Boise last week, and has taken a new role as a lobbyist for the Boise Chamber of Commerce. Idaho Matters talks with the former Democratic lawmaker about his decision to leave electoral politics seven years after taking his District 19 seat in Boise. 

Idaho lawmakers are getting an early look at budget requests from state agencies in the face of declining revenues.