IDAHO
JFAC earmarks $8 million for broadband settlements
House Speaker Scott Bedke and Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill hope to use the money to strike a deal with two Idaho Education Network vendors.
Student mobility bill runs into a roadblock
Statehouse roundup, 3.22.16: Two end-of-session teacher premium bills head to the House for a vote.
House passes Bible-in-schools bill
The Bible bill passed mostly along party lines, although two Republicans and one Democrat broke ranks with their party.
House overwhelmingly passes school budgets
School budget would increase state spending by 6.8 percent, raise teacher pay again and restore cuts to school districts’ operations budgets.
Going-home bill? Another tax cut heads to the House floor
Statehouse roundup, 3.21.16: An estimated $16 million tax cut surfaces, and the House takes another stab at a student mobility bill.
Ybarra makes last-minute push for rural schools center
Statehouse roundup, 3.18.16: Rural schools bill is on a legislative fast track, while a boost in college scholarships heads to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk.
JFAC approves $9.1 million literacy budget
All told, budget-writers have proposed a 7.4 percent budget increase for K-12 — a magic number for many key legislators.
House Education passes Bible-in-schools bill
Statehouse roundup, 3.17.16. The religious education amendment resurfaces, and a proposed tax cut dies a swift death.
House debates Bible-in-school bill; vote slated for Thursday
Statehouse roundup, 3.16.16: A nonbinding resolution on Idaho’s “60 percent goal” generates some surprising debate.
JFAC approves $971,000 to cover more broadband legal bills
The Legislature’s budget-writing committee also put $2 million into STEM programs — falling far short of Gov. Butch Otter’s request.