IDAHO
Catching up around the Statehouse
The 2013 legislative session is headed into its final two weeks — or so say legislative leaders. So let’s catch up on some education-related votes from Tuesday.
Senate Ed backs three ISBA labor bills
The Senate Education Committee approved bills addressing three labor issues: teachers’ association representation, employment disputes and reductions in force.
Personal property tax bill passes House, 67-2
The $20 million property tax cut for businesses enjoyed wide-ranging support in the House. The bill now goes to a Senate with a long history of rewriting House-passed tax legislation.
House panel kills chairman’s bill
Five committee Republicans join three Democrats to oppose a bill pushed by Chairman Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle.
Personal property tax bill sails to House floor
Drafted by counties — with the blessing of the Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Association of School Administrators — a new personal property tax repeal bill is gathering steam.
State releases charter school study
The new report highlights policy issues — but purposely does not examine effectiveness of charter schools compared to traditional schools.
Charter bills face a Senate floor showdown
Lawmakers have been working behind the scenes to amend the two controversial charter schools bills. Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde says there could be a variety of amendments up for debate.
House Ed introduces five new bills
Two new bills were fast-tracked, which skips the public hearing process but could increase their chance of working through the Legislature before adjournment.
Statehouse roundup, 3.15.13
The House sent three Senate bills relating to education to Gov. Butch Otter for final consideration Friday.
Task force coming to a town near you
The governor’s Task Force for Improving Education set dates and a timeline for making recommendations to lawmakers and policy makers by the end of this year.