Legislative & Political News

U.S. Senate rejects $3.4-billion Cobell settlement The U.S. Senate stripped $20 billion in funding out of a $60-billion appropriations bill for President Barack Obama's troop surge in Afghanistan late Wednesday, including the $3.4-billion to settle the Cobell Indian trust class action lawsuit.
Billings Gazette 7/23/2010

Idaho school district's new bus plan has parents fighting mad Meridian School District is Idaho's largest, and in order to meet new budget restrictions, the district reduced and revamped its school bus plans, expanding the zones in which students are expected to walk to school, and parents who are angry about cuts to education plan to vent their anger during the next legislative election.
Idaho Statesman 7/22/2010

Idaho governor earns rare endorsement from state food producers The last time Food Producers of Idaho, a consortium of commodity groups and farm organizations, endorsed a candidate for office was two decades ago, and the group has rarely endorsed a gubernatorial candidate, but Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter earned the endorsement for his re-election run.
Idaho Statesman 7/21/2010

USFWS to give Palouse earthworm another look for ESA listing Wheat farmers in the Palouse region on the Washington-Idaho border, who were concerned that federal protection of the Palouse earthworm would impact their business, were dismayed to hear that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would again study the species for possible protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, because they thought a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision earlier this year put the issue at rest.
Spokane Spokesman-Review 7/20/2010

Idaho legislator may owe $700K in back taxes Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart, who is facing a state ethics investigation over charges he used his legislative position in fighting taxes, may owe more than $644,000 to the federal government in back taxes, and state taxes that push his total tax troubles to near $700,000.
Spokane Spokesman-Review 7/19/2010

Idaho groups dispute state's assertion it can't block big-rig shipments Advocates for the West, Idaho Rivers United and Friends of the Clearwater are challenging the Idaho Department of Transportation's position that it has no option but to issue permits for shipments of massive pieces of mining equipment if the transport company can prove they can do so safely without causing any damage, while in Montana, the Missoula County Commission called on that state to do a more thorough review of the plan to ship the large loads from Idaho's Port of Lewiston to Alberta's oilsands country.
Idaho Statesman 7/16/2010

Idaho senators vote against financial reform bill Idaho U.S. Sens. Mike Crap and Jim Risch said they voted against the financial reform bill because they believed it would do little to make the national economy more secure.
Twin Falls Times-News 7/16/2010

Idaho lawmaker formally denies ethics charges Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart filed a formal response to ethics charges brought against him by House Minority Leader John Rusche of Lewiston, denying those complaints.
Twin Falls Times-News 7/15/2010

Idaho Republican leaders: Balanced budget proof they were right Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Republican legislators said budget figures at the end of the fiscal year June 30 proved that budget cuts were necessary and that they worked.
Twin Falls Times-News 7/14/2010

Governor latest Idaho Republican to decline to sign GOP loyalty oath Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he would not comply with the Idaho Republican Party's resolution adopted last month at its state convention that requires candidates for elected offices either sign a statement agreeing with the party's platform or list issues with which they disagree.
Idaho Statesman 7/14/2010

Immigration top topic at National Governors Association meeting At the National Governors Association meeting this weekend in Boston, Democratic governors facing tough re-election races questioned the federal government's decision to challenge Arizona's immigration law.
New York Times 7/12/2010

Idaho senator withdraws support for CIEDRA U.S. Sen. Jim Risch said he could not support U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act in its present form, and said he only offered to co-sponsor the bill with his colleague Sen. Mike Crapo as a favor to Simpson.
Idaho Statesman 7/9/2010

Idaho congressman declines to take state GOP loyalty oath During a visit with the Idaho Statesman editorial board on Thursday, six-term Congressman Mike Simpson criticized the Idaho Republican Party's resolution to require GOP candidates sign onto the party's full platform or identify those with which they disagree, and said that the only oath he takes is the one that requires him to uphold and defend the Constitution.
Idaho Statesman 7/9/2010

Idaho senator visits Coeur d'Alene clinic U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo spent some time Thursday at the Coeur d'Alene Dirne Family Practice Center to get an on-the-ground look at health care in Idaho, and he learned that the clinic experienced a 17-percent increase in patient numbers in 2009 and the number of homeless patients treated increased 48 percent that year.
Coeur d'Alene Press 7/9/2010

California congressman's bill gives Congress a role in monument designation California U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes and 13 Republican co-sponsors are championing legislation that would limit the president's power to designate national monuments by requiring such designations get congressional approval within two years. Editor's note: The article indicates there are 11 co-sponsors but Nunes' Web site indicates there are 13, including GOP congressmen from Utah, Colorado, Montana and Idaho.
Fresno Bee 7/7/2010

Ethics panel begins investigation of Idaho legislator The members of the Idaho House Ethics Committee have begun their investigation of state Rep. Phil Hart, who is facing ethics charges arising out of his repeated delays in paying state and federal taxes and for possible conflict of interest for serving on the state House Revenue and Taxation Committee while fighting personal tax charges.
Spokane Spokesman-Review 7/7/2010

Nonresidents like Utah's concealed weapon permits Utah's concealed weapon permits are fairly inexpensive, accepted in most other states, and the classes needed to get one can be taken anywhere, making the permits a favorite with nonresidents.
New York Times 7/6/2010

Outspoken critic of wolf reintroduction to talk tonight in Montana Jim Beers worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 32 years, and since his retirement, he has been an vocal opponent of the federal Endangered Species Act and wolf reintroduction; tonight he'll share his views at a Celebrating Conservatism meeting in Hamilton, Mont.
Ravalli Republic 7/6/2010

U.S. House attaches Cobell settlement to war-funding bill In an effort to get the $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit against the federal government over management of tribal assets approved by the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House added the provision to a $80-billion appropriations bill that contains funding for the war in Afghanistan.
Helena Independent Record 7/6/2010

Some Idaho lawmakers refuse to sign GOP loyalty oath At the Idaho Republican Party's convention last Saturday, former Idaho state Senate majority leader Rod Beck presented a provision that all Republican candidates pledge support for the GOP platform - or list the planks with which they disagree. A handful of state legislators said they would not sign the pledge, although some said they have already complied with Beck's request.
Idaho Statesman 7/2/2010

Idaho's federal lawmakers laud Yucca Mountain decision Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, as well as U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, spoke in support of Tuesday's decision of a three-judge panel of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that denied the Department of Energy's request to withdraw its application to create a nuclear waste repository in Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
Twin Falls Times-News 7/2/2010

Cobell settlement bill excised from unemployment benefits legislation The $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit over the federal government's management of tribal assets had been attached to legislation to extend unemployment benefits, but that measure has proved difficult to get the U.S. Senate's approval, so the Cobell provision was removed; it will either be tacked onto another piece of "must-pass" legislation or will proceed as a stand-alone bill.
Indian Country Today 6/30/2010

U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Idaho U.S. Rep. Minnick Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick of Idaho was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday for his "common sense" approach on addressing the nation's economic woes.
Idaho Statesman 6/30/2010

Western governors discuss water, energy as meeting winds down At the Western Governors' Association meeting in Montana this week, members debated on how best to meet the water needs of growing populations in the arid West, as well as the need for new transmission projects and a level playing field for different forms of energy production.
Flathead Beacon 6/30/2010

U.S. Senate fight on jobless bill shackles Cobell settlement The $3.4-billion settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit on the federal government's handling of tribal assets is caught in the U.S. Senate's fight over unemployment benefits and tax breaks.
Great Falls Tribune 6/29/2010

Montana governor urges Flathead protection at WGA meeting Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer used his position as chairman of the Western Governors' Association to press the federal government for the $17 million needed to compensate British Columbia mining companies for agreeing not to develop energy leases they hold in the headwaters of the Flathead River that flows into Montana and forms the west border of Glacier National Park.
Helena Independent Record 6/29/2010

Idaho, Montana senators urge U.S. not to ignore northern border A dozen senators from seven states that share a border with Canada signed off on a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, urging the United States not to forget about the nation's northern border when allocating security funds.
Idaho Statesman 6/29/2010

Senate standoff means Idaho jobless benefits near end After the U.S. Senate failed to end a filibuster on extending jobless benefits through June 2011, the Idaho Department of Labor said hundreds of unemployed workers in Idaho will lose their benefits each week between no and the end of August.
Idaho Statesman 6/29/2010

Federal lawmakers press Salazar over PILT payments Fourteen senators and 21 U.S. House representatives that are members of the Western Congressional Caucus signed off on a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar requesting that at least estimated Payment in Lieu of Taxes be made to local governments by the end of June. Their letter was prompted by the Interior Department's announcement that such payments would not be made until late July.
Elko Daily Free Press 6/24/2010

Idaho Republican Convention in Idaho Falls Friday, Saturday Idaho Republicans will consider more than 40 resolutions at their annual convention in Idaho Falls that begins on Friday. A number of those resolutions will address the state's rights on national health care reform and proposed cap-and-trade energy legislation.
Coeur d'Alene Press 6/24/2010