Legislature

Statehouse roundup, 1.31.23: Post-high school incentive program clears a hurdle; school choice bill introduced

In other news: A House committee introduces a bill to eliminate March and August school elections.

Legislature primed for more ‘hot topic’ school standards debates in 2022

Pushing for a change, which has failed to gain traction in recent years, is “still the game plan” for the 2022 legislative session, the Legislature’s Senate Education Committee chair told EdNews this week.

Statehouse roundup, 11.16.21: House passes parental opt-out bill

MORE INSIDE: A teacher bonus push takes shape and the Senate made a formal statement condemning vaccine mandates.

The Legislature returns, and sanctions Giddings

MORE INSIDE on how the rest of the morning unfolded. Legislative leaders hope to wrap up business by Wednesday following the unusual decision to reconvene in November.

Legislative committee posts packed agenda ahead of reconvening

The Ways and Means Committee will take up 29 draft bills. Many appear to be coronavirus-related, but a few education-focused outliers are in the mix too.

Republican lawmakers call for ISBA to shed national affiliation

Idaho’s lobbying group for trustees says it has distanced itself from the National School Boards Association, but will not end the relationship — at least for now.

Budget committee briefed on $40 million schools can spend on COVID spikes, staff shortages

Another $5 million in federal funding may become available to schools by November.

Budget-writers return to work — and take a first look at 2022’s big decisions

The Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee took a first look at K-12 and higher education budget proposals, and glossed over a small but politically sensitive request from Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

Conservative lawmakers talk about banning vaccine mandates, but lack a quorum

Republican state representatives descended on the House floor after rallying anti-vaccine-mandate protesters on the steps of the State Capitol Wednesday.