Idaho Reports

After the Session (4)

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:30:00 MST

First Congressional District candidates Vaughn Ward and Raul Labrador discuss their hotly contested primary race, we preview the upcoming Idaho Debates, and Col. Tim Marsano of the Idaho National Guard discusses the deployment of the 116th Brigade Combat Team.

After the Session (3)

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week in Idaho politics: Gov. Otter is hospitalized and released, some states-rights initiatives seek signatures to get on the ballot, the State Board of Education approves a new contract for BSU football coach Petersen, and news breaks that congressional GOP candidate Vaughn Ward's family is being supported by a federal bailout.

After the Session (2)

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:30:00 MST

Political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and reporters Betsy Russell (Spokesman-Review), Kevin Richert (Idaho Statesman), Vickie Holbrook (Idaho Press-Tribune), and Bill Roberts (Idaho Statesman) join host Thanh Tan for a discussion of this week's Tea Party gatherings and other news from Idaho politics.

After the Session (1)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:30:00 MST

Idaho Reports reviews the top stories in Gem state politics this week, including: the State Board of Education votes higher tuition fees for college students; the Department of Health and Welfare closes nine field offices; backlash builds against the attorney general's health care lawsuit; the gubernatorial campaigns kick it up a notch; state revenue numbers show impressive gains; and gas prices hit the three dollar mark.

Sine Die Special

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:30:00 MST

The 2010 Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Monday. A session that started off being all about the budget ended with renewed frustration toward the federal government. House and Senate leaders review the session with host Thanh Tan. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the session that was in our Below the Dome segment; and a special farewell to retiring lawmakers.

Week Eleven

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:30:00 MST

Lawmakers were on the fast track toward adjourning for good this week. Alas, their exit strategy was thwarted by a slew of last-minute hiccups. Host Thanh Tan reviews the week with Senate Majority Caucus Leader Russ Fulcher, Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, House Education Committee Chair Bob Nonini and House Education committee member Rep. Branden Durst. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston.

Week Ten

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:30:00 MST

House and Senate leaders discuss what it's going to take for lawmakers to finish a session that's been dominated by budget woes. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, and House Minority Leader John Rusche talk to Thanh Tan about the going-home issues. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins.

Week Nine

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:30:00 MST

JFAC co-chairs Rep. Maxine Bell and Sen. Dean Cameron join House Majority Leader Mike Moyle and Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly for a discussion about the controversial Idaho Education Network, the struggle to pass a public education budget, cuts to higher education, and the increased dependence on user fees to sustain the Dept. of Parks and Recreation. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston.

Week Eight

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:30:00 MST

State Superintendent Tom Luna, Education Association President Sheri Wood, School Boards Association Executive Director Karen Echeverria, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, and Rep. Fred Wood chew over the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee's proposed cut to public education funding. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Kate Kelly, D-Boise.

Week Seven

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:30:00 MST

Host Thanh Tan and 4 legislative leaders discuss differing viewpoints on the proper role of state government as well as increasing tension among lawmakers after the Senate killed a House-led attempt to block a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for 33,000 Idaho PERSI recipients. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Lenore Hardy Barrett, R-Challis.

Week Six

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, JFAC balanced the budget for the remaining four months of Fiscal Year 2010 by instituting a 7.1% across-the-board cut for all state agencies. Sen. Nicole LeFavour, JFAC Vice-Chair Rep. Darrell Bolz, and Gov. Otter's budget chief, Wayne Hammon discuss how state services and workers may be affected, how lawmakers plan to fill the budget gap for K-12 education, and look ahead to the 2011 budget setting process. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D- Ketchum.

Week Five

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week: JFAC's final revenue target and economic development. Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Russ Fulcher, and House Minority Leader John Rusche discuss what lawmakers are doing to preserve jobs - and how they plan to create new opportunities. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls.

Week Four

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Idaho Reports gets back to basics, with an explanation of how state lawmakers develop the budget. Three key members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee - co-Chairs Sen. Dean Cameron and Rep. Maxine Bell, along with Democratic JFAC member Rep. Wendy Jaquet - discuss how they'll make tough decisions about cuts to state services and workers.

Week Three

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna explains his unconventional strategy for filling a $135 million hole in school funding. Also, "Across the Spectrum Panel" members take on the Democrats' IJOBS proposal; statehouse analysts Betsy Russell, Jim Weatherby and Kevin Richert consider higher education's struggle to find state support; and "Public Servant of the Week" features Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d' Alene.

Week Two

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:30:00 MST

This week, Idaho Reports examines the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's revenue projection and the possibility of a $110 million cut for the remainder of this fiscal year, Health and Welfare's budget woes, and Gov. Otter and Nancy Merrill's press conference announcing a "paradigm shift" in the way the Dept. of Parks and Recreation is operated.