IDAHO
Voter initiative bill clears the House
Those seeking to place an initiative or referendum on the ballot would need to gather a certain percentage of signatures in 18 legislative districts.
House passes 2013-14 school budget
The 2013-14 school budget calls for a 2.2 percent increase in general fund spending, but still must overcome opposition in the Senate.
Senate Ed holds Students Come First ‘fix’
Chairman John Goedde said the 2012-13 funding bill isn’t dead, but the clock does appear to be ticking on the 2013 legislative session.
Life of pie? Senate panel OK’s tax cut
Is a partial personal property tax repeal the 2013 session’s going-home bill? For Sen. Jeff Siddoway’s committee, it was Thursday’s going-to-dessert bill. School groups also favor the bill.
New salary bill emerges from House Ed
Salary bill aims to provide more flexibility than House Bill 307, but it still drew opposition. In other action, another new bill will create an interim committee to look at policy and labor issues.
Senate amends charter school, labor bills
The senate-backed changes would eliminate Idaho nonprofits from a group of organizations that would be able to authorize new charter schools.
Senate Education OK’s ‘last best offer’ bill
A controversial Idaho School Boards Association bill — allowing districts to impose a last best contract offer in the event of stalemate — is one step closer to the governor’s desk.
Lawmakers vote to change school safety bill
Lawmakers and groups expressed concerns about police involvement and secrecy in schools.
Private school scholarship bill passes, barely
On a 35-33 vote, the House approved a bill to award $10 million in income tax credits to donors who contribute to private school scholarship funds. Here’s a look at the debate, and the vote breakdown.
Back to life: Salary bill revived
Three House Education Committee members said they wanted to change their votes on a bill that was pushed by the committee chairman and affects teacher salaries.